DRUG ABUSE: A MENACE BEYOND ILLICIT DRUGS Pt 3

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Stimulant: Cocaine

• Cocaine drugs made from the leaves
  of the coca plant
• Main forms: powder; an extract that
  look like crystals or rocks (freebase cocaine); crystal (crack cocaine)
• Commonly snorted but can be injected, rubbed into the gums, added to drinks or food. Sometimes smoked with cannabis
• Not all people who use cocaine are dependent
• Common names for cocaine in Nigeria: Coke, Powder, Thailand White, Brown/Black, Off White, Charlie

Side Effects: Cocaine

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS

• Happiness and confidence
• Talking more
• Feeling energetic and alert
• Feeling physically strong and mentally sharp
• Reduced appetite
• Dry mouth
• Enlarged (dilated) pupils
• Faster heartbeat and breathing
• Higher body temperature
• Increased sex drive
• Unpredictable, violent or aggressive behavior
• Delusions

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

• Insomnia and exhaustion
• Nasal, sinus problems, nose bleeds
• Anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, depression
• Eating disorders and weight loss
• Sexual dysfunction
• Heart damage
• Lung problems
• Kidney failure
• Increased risk of strokes and seizures
• Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms:
Craving cocaine badly; feeling angry or upset; feeling sick; vomiting; shaking; tiredness. Worse in first few days

Simulant: Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS)

• ATS: synthetic-made drugs
• Different forms: Powder, crystal, liquid, tablet
• Administration: Injected, snorted, smoked, swallowed
• Common names for ATS: Players; Boys; Nuts
• Methamphetamine: generally stronger, more addictive and more harmful than amphetamine
• Duration of effect: can last six hours.

Side Effects: ATS

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS

• Euphoria
• High levels of energy
• Excitement
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Increased confidence and talkativeness
• Reduced appetite
• Excessive sweating
• Increased sex drive
• Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
• Feeling powerful or better than others
• Becoming hostile or aggressive

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

• Reduced appetite and extreme weight loss
• Restless sleep
• Dry mouth and dental problems
• Regular colds and flu
• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty breathing
• Muscle stiffness
• Anxiety, paranoia, psychosis
• Depression
• Heart and kidney problems
• Increased risk of stroke
• Needing to use more to get the same effect
• High dependence can occur

Some withdrawal symptoms: Cravings for the drug; increased appetite; confusion and irritability; aches and pains; exhaustion; restless sleep and nightmares; and anxiety, depression and paranoia. Withdrawal fades in a week, clear in a month

Volatile Substances: Primarily Depressants and Hallucinogens

• Volatile substances sometimes known as inhalants and solvents
• Found in household, industrial and medical products: Glue, paint, petrol, aerosols, cleaning fluid, gases that produce vapours
• Mode of use: Inhalation/sniffing
• Effect: Few seconds and last five to 45 minutes
• Regular use can result in dependence
• Common names: Shaba; Dogua; Helicopter; Sholisho

Side Effects: Volatile Substances

By Olusesan Samuel-Kayode

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