Cocaine Abuse: an Introduction
Abuse of cocaine and other psycho stimulants are determined by a complex interaction between the pharmacologic properties and relative availability of each drug. The environmental context, personality and expectations of the user in which the drug is used influence the drug abuse and outcome of the treatment. The concurrent use of several drugs with different pharmacologic effects is increasingly common. Combined use of heroin and cocaine intravenously, are dangerous. Chronic cocaine and psycho stimulant abuse may cause a number of adverse health consequences, like pulmonary disease to reproductive dysfunction. Hypertension and cardiac disease may be exacerbated by drug abuse; combined use of two or more drugs may accentuate medical complications associated with abuse of one of them. Drug abuse increases the risk of exposure to HIV and hepatitis B. Cocaine abuse contribute to the risk for HIV infection in part by suppression of immune function. Concurrent use of cocaine and opiates known as the "speedball" is frequently associated with needle-sharing by IV drug users and contribute to HIV transmission. Intravenous drug abusers continue to represent the largest single group of persons with HIV infection in several major metropolitan areas in the United States.
Categories: Addiction, Health Information Tags: coca plant, enhance libido, Speedball
