University:
York University
Course:
AP/SOSC 3118 | Drugs And Society
Academic year:

2024
Views:

253

Pages:

5
Author:

Nick T.

Cocaine: Absorption and Onset of Effects Chewing and sucking coca leaves Slow absorption and onset of effects insufflation or snorting alosorbed through nasar passages rapid absorption and onset of effects intravenous injection delivers a very high coricentration to the brain rapid and brief effects Smoking "less invasive and faster onset of effects Cocaine Elimination • Cocaine is metabolized by enzymes in the blood and liver Cocaine has houf-life of about one hour major metabolites have a longer half-life of eight hours detected by urine screening tests. Cocaine touces about 3 days for metabolites to be ellminated after moderate use • if consumed with alcohol, cocaine combines with alcohol in the liver to form cocaethylene • Studies have suggested cocaethylene is both more euphoric, and has a higher Cardiovascular toxicity than cocaine by itself Cocaine can typically be detected in urine within four hours after cocaine intake and can be detected by other means for up to 8 days Beneficial Uses of Cocaine local anesthesia -used medically since 1884. early applications were in eye surgery and dentistry Synthesized drugs that have few central nervous System, or CNS, ellects have largely replaced Cocaine "Cocaine remains in use for surgery in the nasal, laryngeal, and esophageal regions other claimed benefits Self-prescribed athletes, entertainers, politicians maintain peak performance Concerns of Cocaine: Acute Toxicity no evidence that occasional use of small amounts is detrimental to health *potential toxicity increases with larger doses acute cocaine poisoning can lead to profound central nervous System Stimulation *can lead to respiratory or Cardiac arrest illicit cocaine is often adulterated - adulterants may be more toxic than the drug Cocaethylene, a product of the combination of cocaine and alcohol, was shown to be more toxic thoun cocaine in mice Concerns of Cocaine: Chronic Toxicity • binge use "drug is taken repeatedly and at increasingly high doses general side effects of Chronic cocaine use include: insatiable hunger *aches insomnia/oversleeping * lethargy * persistent runny nose con result in paranoid psychosis * most people seem to recover once the drug leaves the system. Concerns of Cocaine: Dependence Potential Cocaine addiction occurs in Some users animal and human Studies have shown that cocaine is a powerfully reinforcing drug ex: animals will readily self-administer the drug potentially more psychologically addictive than biologically addictive "after binge use, some people experience withdrawal symptoms Cocaine craving, irritability, anxiety, depressed mood, increased appetite, and exhawshan Concerns of Cocaine: Reproductive Effects • "Crack baby "phenomenon media reports overstated ne expected long-term effects of cocaine exposure on developing fetuses recent studies indicate no consistent associations between prenatal cocaine exposure and Several developmental measures Cocaine use during pregnancy Can result in an increased risk for miscarriage and torn placenta