Cocaine Abuse Disorders
Introduction
Cocaine is sourced from the leaves of Erythroxylon coca and has been used and abused since the 18th century (Majewska, 25). Not everything is negative about cocaine, as it is been found to be useful as drug to treat some conditions especially if taken under prescription. Cocaine was also used for traditional religions activities in countries like Peru (Majewska, 8-17). Its use has however continued to be restricted because of its ability to addict users.
In 1914 non-prescription use of cocaine was banned in the US and subsequently it became illegal to be found in possession of the drug in US since 1970 (Majewska, 19-40). It is approximated that over 10 million people worldwide abuse cocaine in several ways, which may include inhaling cocaine, smoking cocaine, as well as injection of cocaine (Majewska, 12-37). Cocaine abuse is associated with several disorders ranging form withdrawal, hallucinations, delusions, mood changes as well as sleep disorders (Majewska, 1996). There is evidence that cocaine abuse has adverse effects on individuals. Majewska, (25-54) cites persistent neurological/psychiatric impairments and neuronal degeneration as possible effects associated with chronic cocaine abuse.
Specifically, Majewska (46-69) mentions the following impairments as being caused by cocaine abuse, cerebral hemorrhages, infarctions, multifocal and global cerebral ischemia, cognitive impairments, optic neuropathy, cerebral atrophy as well as mood and movement related disorders. There were over 2 million Americans who abused cocaine by the year 2002 (American Psychiatric Association, 58). American Psychiatric Association, (91-136) further adds that, cocaine abuse was responsible for 6% of the total deaths occurring in US in relation to drug abuse in 2002. It is a fact that adolescents and young adults constitute a major percentage of cocaine abusers (7.1%) according to (American Psychiatric Association, 70-104).
The above trends are worrying and warrant answers for the following questions; What causes people to take on to drug abuse and specifically to cocaine abusers? What triggers the ever-increasing number of people taking into cocaine abuse? And finally, what measures can be taken to address the problem of cocaine abuse which leads to cocaine abuse disorders and in turn negatively affects people socially, economically and health wise?
Several factors are responsible for why people take into cocaine abuse these include; environmental factors, physical factors, psychological factors as well as sexual abuse, and influence from the family especially if the parents are cocaine abusers (American Psychiatric Association, 58-65).
The culture of a people also affects cocaine abuse prevalence. For example in some countries like Peru, and Columbia, the culture of cocaine abuse is very pronounced in the society. If a culture is complacent and permissive, it is likely to have laws, which are not very effective in as far as, controlling substance abuse is concerned.
The environment an individual, is subjected to by the society too plays a critical role in determining cocaine abuse. Environmental stressors therefore contribute to high incidences of cocaine abuse amongst individuals. The environment is important in that it exerts social pressures in an individual therefore resulting into a good number of them taking into cocaine abuse. Social pressures such as poverty and poor parenting also impact negatively on those individuals whose traits and characteristics are weak making them more susceptible to cocaine abuse disorders especially with pressure from peers.
Finally psychiatric or mental problems have been found to cause a lot of people (including adolescents) to get involved in cocaine misuse (American Psychiatric Association, 64-87). This can be explained by the high level of stress such people undergo as well as the inability to make the right choices.
Consequences of cocaine abuse are many and range from consequences affecting the individual, the family and the society at large. At the individual level, people who engage in cocaine abuse are more likely to suffer from psychological disorders such as depression and stress. For adolescents, they face a lot of social pressure and a presence of depression is likely to disorientate them. People who engage in cocaine abuse are at higher risk of suffering from blood- diseases such as HIV. This happens because some are irresponsible and end up sharing needles with infected peers. Other diseases, which can result from cocaine abuse, include hepatitis which can be transmitted through injection as well as respiratory diseases through smoking.
Cocaine abuse disorders cause many people to loose their appetite for food something which can result, into malnutrition and therefore poor health. With poor health, people become vulnerable to all kinds of diseases. In addition they cannot concentrate well in school for adolescents and at job for employees.
Cocaine abuse disorders cause emotional problems to adolescents and this is evident in adolescents and it causes many to often differ with parents. Adolescents may also exhibit withdrawal behaviour as well as engage in legal activities such as violence. Substance abuse has also been found to cause memory lapse and difficulties in concentrating (Costello, Erkanli, Federman, &Angold, 45-76). Considering that most adolescents are school children, poor concentration and memory problems can affect academic performance. Substance abuse can contribute to suicidal thoughts and to actual suicide, as depression is known to cause people to act irresponsibly and irrationally.
Cocaine abuse disorders also interrupt one’s career in that it contributes to depression, memory loss and concentration problems. Therefore an individual who engages in substance abuse is more likely to lose a job and to fail in a career than a person who does not engage in substance abuse. According to, (American Psychiatric Association, 51-58) cocaine abuse disorders contributes to societal problems by burdening the society which foots the hospital bills, prison bills as well as other costs associated with the disorders.
The solution to the complex problem of cocaine abuse lies in a number of strategies. Such strategies can include; introduction of education programs in schools where a large number of adolescents can be reached easily. Such programs should be designed in such a manner so as to impart in teenagers skills ranging from interpersonal skills to behavior change with and aim of helping adolescents to overcome substance abuse problems. Schools can also win the fight against cocaine abuse by setting up strong counseling departments, and employing well qualified and experienced professional counselors. Although such programs have been accused of placing a heavy financial burden on the parents, it is worth the effort given the repercussions and the cost of rehabilitations.
The media can intervene in fighting the problem of cocaine abuse by preparing programs which can easily reach a wide audience of people. Such programs can also publicize the support programs available to those with from cocaine abuse disorders. Many people who engage in cocaine abuse end up in being substance dependent as a cause of lack or inaccessibility of treatment.
Conclusion
There is a need for long lasting solutions to cocaine abuse disorders. The war against cocaine abuse disorders can be put under control if strategies such as; affordable medical treatment, the effective use of media campaigns, community based programs as well as education programs are well utilized.
Works cited page
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. 2002.
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. 2000.
Costello, E., Erkanli, A, Federman, E. and Angold, A. Psychopathology and substance -related problems during early adolescence: A survival analysis. Journal of clinical child psychology. 28. (1999).
Majewska, Cocaine Addiction as a neurological disorder: Implications for treatment. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Rockville, USA. (1996).
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