The Myth

‘Cocaine’ can’t be addicting because it lacks withdrawal symptoms exhibited physically as seen in heroin and alcohol addiction. This is a great myth. On the contrary, cocaine is the best type of stimulant.

Presently, our society is faced with the problem of ‘poly- drug- abuse’ of combining psychoactive drugs to achieve the desired effect, and cocaine is the most abused major stimulants. It is the drug that frequents our hospital’s emergency rooms and considered the “caviar” of recreational drugs. Cocaine is also used to help control the side effects of primary addiction.

‘Dopamine’ Relates to Addiction

Regulation of ‘dopamine’ plays a critical role in our health both mentally and physically. It is one of the neurotransmitters that play a major role in addiction. Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain controlling movement, emotional responses and to feel pleasure and pain. Changing the flow of the neurotransmitters is an effect of cocaine and amphetamine produce.

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Marijuana is classified as a “Schedule- I substance”; meaning, that the abuse is highly potential, with no medically acceptable use, not a medically safe drug for use even under the supervision of a medical professional. The threat associated with the use showed that a higher percentage of dependency on illicit drugs has been attributed to marijuana as the primary substance of choice, especially to people ranging from age 12 to 28.

‘Addiction’ is a progressive and chronic disease that can be diagnosed and treated. Suggested factors causing addiction include genetic, biological, pharmacological and social. It is not easy to educate drug abusers about responsible use because the purpose is to get “high,” and subsequent use is even to get “higher.” However, if a person succumbs to it, it can be a devastating illness that affects one’s life psychologically, physically, socially or vocationally.

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