What is cocaine? — Cocaine is a drug that comes from the leaves of the coca plant. It is used in some prescription medicines to treat pain. It is also used illegally, usually in these 2 forms:
¡A white powder that is snorted through the nose or mixed in water and injected into a vein.
¡Rock crystals (called “crack”) that are smoked
Cocaine has many different common or “street” names and is sometimes used with other illegal drugs.
The stimulant crisis, once primarily a concern of high-income countries, is increasingly becoming a substantial public health challenge in Nigeria. The alarming rise in cocaine abuse, particularly among young people and vulnerable communities, poses a severe threat to the nation’s health and social stability. With increasing cocaine use by youngsters, Nigeria is facing a growing epidemic that demands urgent and comprehensive action.
What does illegal cocaine use do to the brain and body? — Cocaine can make you feel alert, full of energy, and very happy. It can also make you feel less sleepy and less hungry than normal.
Cocaine can also make you:
¡Feel anxious, irritable, or restless
¡Have panic attacks
¡Feel suspicious or paranoid
¡More likely to make bad or unsafe decisions
¡Have delusions – This means believing things that are not true.
¡Have hallucinations – This means seeing, hearing, tasting, or smelling things that are not really there.
¡Tremble or shake
¡Have trouble controlling your body
¡Pick at your skin
¡Have a fast heartbeat
¡Sweat
¡Feel sick to your stomach (nausea)
People who use large amounts of cocaine over a long period of time can have problems with thinking, memory, attention, and making decisions. They also have a higher chance of suicide than people who do not use cocaine.
Who uses illegal cocaine? — About 2 percent of Americans older than 14 use illegal cocaine. Most users are men ages 15 to 35 who live in cities. Some people use cocaine only occasionally. But others take large amounts over short periods of time. This is called a “binge.”
What is cocaine use disorder? — Cocaine use disorder is basically the medical term for cocaine addiction. It can be mild to severe. People with cocaine use disorder have 2 or more of the following problems. The more of these they have, the more severe their disorder.
¡They end up using more cocaine than they planned to, or they use it for longer than they planned to.
¡They wish they could cut down on cocaine, but they can’t.
¡They spend a lot of time trying to get cocaine, getting high, or recovering from being high.
¡They crave or have a strong desire or urge to use cocaine.
¡Because of their cocaine use, they often don’t do things that they need to or that are expected of them, such as go to work or school, remember family events, and clean their home.
¡They keep using cocaine even if it causes or worsens problems in their relationships or interactions with other people.
¡They stop or cut back on important social, work, or fun activities they used to do.
¡They keep using cocaine even in situations where it is dangerous to do so (such as while driving).
¡They keep using cocaine even when they know they have a physical or mental problem that was probably caused or made worse by their drug use.
¡They need to use more and more cocaine to get the same effects they used to get with less. Or they get less effect from using the amount that used to get them high. This is called “tolerance.”
¡They have “withdrawal symptoms” if they stop using cocaine after using it for a long time. Withdrawal symptoms can include:
¡Feeling sad or depressed
¡Feeling tired
¡Having dreams that are unpleasant and seem very real
¡Sleeping too little or too much
¡Hunger
•Being restless or moving little or slowly
How is cocaine addiction treated? — In general, treatment involves addiction counseling and taking part in a support group.
¡Addiction counseling – People with addiction work with a counselor to better understand their addiction. They learn new ways to lead their life that do not involve drugs.
¡Support groups – In support groups, people with addiction share their experiences with each other.
Some people cannot stop using cocaine even with counseling and support groups. They might benefit from a more structured treatment program that includes specific types of therapy, behavioral exercises, and routine drug testing.
There are also a few medicines that are being studied to help people stay off cocaine. There is not enough proof yet that they work, so doctors are not ready to recommend them.
For specific situations, there are other treatments. An example is family therapy, which can be especially helpful for children or teens with addiction who have families willing to participate in treatment.
What is the punishment for cocaine in Nigeria?
Knowingly possesses or uses the drugs popularly known as cocaine. LSD heroine or any other similar drugs by smoking, inhaling, or injecting the said drugs shall be guilty of an offense on conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than fifteen years but not exceeding 25 years.
MKO Abimbola holds a doctorate degree in physician associate studies from the United States of America. He is a Harvard Medical School scholar. He specializes in Internal medicine, Acute care, Emergency medicine, Geriatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgical services.
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