Stimulants

Stimulants They increase the activity of the brainThey increase the activity of the brain They stimulate or speed up the nervous systemThey stimulate or speed up the nervous system Their medical use is limited to:Their medical use is limited to: 1.The Suppression of appetite; 2.The reduction of fatigue; 3.The reduction of mild depression

Most commonly used types are: 1.cocaine, 2.Caffeine, 3.amphetamine

Cocaine ( CHS 413 )

Introduction Cocaine is a crystalline alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca” It is a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant.

For over a thousand years South American indigenous peoples have chewed the coca leaf a plant that contains vital nutrients as well as numerous alkaloids, including cocaine. There is also evidence that these cultures used a mixture of coca leaves and saliva as an anesthetic

Appearance Crack cocaine is the freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked. It may also be termed 'rocks' or just 'crack'.

Appearance and characteristics Crack cocaine as sold on the streets may be impured to increase bulk. In purer forms, crack rocks appear as off-white bulk with jagged edges, and a slightly higher density than candle wax. A crack rock effects are: 1.a local anesthetic, 2.numbing the tongue or mouth only where directly placed.

Cocaine in its purest form is a white, pearly product. Cocaine appearing in powder form is a salt, typically cocaine hydrochloride.salt hydrochloride Street market cocaine is frequently adulterated or “cut” with various powdery fillers to increase its weight; the substances most commonly used in this process are baking soda; sugars, such as lactose, dextrose, inositol, and mannitol; and local anesthetics, such as lidocaine or benzocaine, which mimic or add to cocaine's numbing effect on mucous membranes.baking sodalactosedextroseinositolmannitollidocainebenzocaine

Smoking crack cocaine

Psychological effects Crack cocaine is a substance that affects the brain chemistry : 1.causing euphoria 2.Absolute confidence 3.loss of appetite 4.insomnia 5.Alertness, 6.increased energy 7.a craving for more cocaine 8.and potential paranoia (ending after use). usually lasts from 5–10 minutes, after which the user feels depressed and low.

Stimulant drug abuse can lead to delusional parasitosis (a mistaken belief they are infested with parasites). where the affected people believe they have, or feel, parasites crawling under their skin. These delusions are also associated with high fevers, often together with visual hallucinations about insects. People experiencing these hallucinations might scratch themselves to the extent of serious skin damage and bleeding,

Physical effects

Over doses symptoms 1.dizziness 2.Hyperthermia 3.Seizures 4.Unconsciousness 5.Dehydration

Tolerance An appreciable tolerance to cocaine’s high may develop, with many addicts reporting that they seek but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did from their first experience. Some users will frequently increase their doses to intensify and prolong the euphoric effects.

Dependence Dependence on the other hand means that much of the person's time is used in thinking about taking the drug, thinking about obtaining the drug, undertaking activities associated with buying and using the drug, difficulties in interpersonal relationships as a result of the obsessive thoughts associated with dependence.

Addiction Crack cocaine is popularly thought to be the most addictive form of cocaine, and one of the most addictive forms of any drug.

Withdrawal Symptoms These include 1.cravings for cocaine, 2.feeling angry 3.vomiting and nausea, 4.uncontrolled shaking 5.weakness, 6.tiredness 7.disturbed sleep 8.muscle spasms 9.depression and suicide ideation.

pregnancy Use of cocaine during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, or if the baby is carried to full term, may result in : 1. a low birth weigh baby, 2.premature delivery, 3.signs of cocaine withdrawal in the newborn.