How Cocaine Is Used
What is the most common way people use cocaine?
Snorting it through the nose.
Does cocaine make blood vessels bigger or smaller?
Smaller.
Which brain chemical is most responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward?
Dopamine.
Name one life-threatening emergency cocaine can cause.
Heart attack, stroke, seizure, dangerous heart rhythm, or trouble breathing.
True or False: Cocaine can become highly addictive.
True.
Name two ways cocaine can enter the body.
Snorted, smoked, injected, or swallowed.
Why do many cocaine users develop a runny or blocked nose?
The nose produces extra mucus to protect itself.
Which three neurotransmitters are affected by cocaine?
Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
Why does injecting cocaine increase the risk of infection?
Needles can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream.
True or False: Smoking and injecting cocaine are generally more addictive than snorting it.
True.
Why do some people repeatedly snort during a cocaine binge?
To clear blocked nasal passages and try to absorb more cocaine.
What permanent injury can repeated cocaine use cause inside the nose?
A hole in the nasal septum (septal perforation).
Which neurotransmitter controls the body's "fight-or-flight" response?
Norepinephrine.
Which common drug combines with cocaine to form cocaethylene?
Alcohol.
Name three common signs someone may be using cocaine.
Dilated pupils, nosebleeds, weight loss, runny nose, mood swings, excessive talking, poor sleep, sweating, lockjaw, risky behavior, or extreme thirst.
Why is snorting cocaine slower to produce effects than smoking or injecting it?
It must be absorbed through the tissues of the nose before entering the bloodstream.
Which part of the body does cocaine have to cross before it can affect the brain?
The blood-brain barrier.
Why does cocaine make people feel so good at first?
Dopamine stays active longer because cocaine blocks its reuptake.
Name three signs of a cocaine overdose.
Heart attack, stroke, seizure, severe anxiety, high blood pressure, dangerous heart rhythm, or trouble breathing.
Which pre-existing health condition makes cocaine use especially dangerous?
Heart disease (cardiovascular disease).
How can long-term cocaine use destroy parts of the nose and face?
Reduced blood flow causes tissue death, bone damage, infections, and destruction of the nasal structures.
Why can't a hole in the nasal septum heal on its own?
The damaged tissue is permanently destroyed and usually requires surgery.
Why does cocaine become so addictive?
Because it causes dopamine to build up in the brain, creating intense feelings of reward that make people want to use it again.
Why is mixing cocaine with alcohol especially dangerous?
It creates cocaethylene, which lasts longer in the body and increases the risk of overdose, seizures, and liver damage.
Why might someone with heart disease overdose more easily on cocaine?
Cocaine puts extra stress on the heart and greatly increases the risk of heart attack or dangerous heart rhythms.