THE HIT Smoking or "freebasing" gives the user an immediate high.  heart rate and blood pressure rise sharply  they break out in a cold sweat  their ears ring  they start to shake  have increased energy  decreased need to sleep  feel they can do anything/on top of the world  their hearing become supersensitive  some talk easier  others become withdrawn

LONG TERM EFFECTS OF COCAINE USE:

 Decreased sleep, weight, concentration and memory

 Anxiety/nervousness:

 Paranoia (suspicious of everything)

 Convulsions and coma

 Heart and respiratory failure

 Impotence / decreased sexual drive

 Hallucinations

 Cocaine psychosis (aggression, violence, hallucinations)

 Damage to nasal septum

 Pregnancy - foetal damage, abortion, premature labour

 Relationships are ruined

 Severe financial problems

 Use of other drugs in an attempt to control above symptoms (e.g. alcohol, mandrax, sedatives, etc)

COCAINE / CRACK

INTRODUCTION

Cocaine is a bitter tasting white powder extracted from the leaves of the South American cocoa plant. A powerful stimulant or "upper", cocaine acts on the pleasure centres of the brain and is, according to drug experts, on of the most addictive substances on the planet.

When cocaine first hit South African streets, it was called the "yuppie drug" because only the rich could afford it. This has now changed. As more and more of the drug flooded into SA, the price dropped drastically, making it available to people of all walks of life.

How is it used?

Depending on the quantity and quality. When cocaine first became available in SA, it was in powder form, which was then snorted through the nose.

The powder, although originally pure, is "cut" repeatedly by adding substances like talcum powder, bicarb and even other drugs to maximise profits. The end product is only about 20% pure.

Today, snorting is confined to a small percentage of users. Smoking or "Freebasing" is now the method most widely used. Cocaine powder is converted to "freebase" by boiling it in water with a binding agent such as bicarb to form a "rock" or "crack" which is about 90% pure. This "rock" is then smoked in a pipe, bottle or jar, known as "basing". The high attained is immediate and more intense than that attained from snorting. New users are introduced directly to "freebasing" now, rather than snorting.

THE HIT

The duration of the high depends on the quantity and quality of the cocaine used. The first high is the best and users seldom re-experience the intensity of the first high.
Sometimes a mandrax pipe or alcohol (a "downer") is alternated with the cocaine pipe. The alteration with a downer allows for more stimulant use.

When the high starts wearing off, the mood drops. The user becomes anxious, develops a tingling feeling and may become paranoid - thinking that everyone and everything is out to get him. Paranoia is part of the high (overdoing it) and not part of withdrawal. Then the craving begins. There is a longing for that original high. Objects start to resemble "rocks". Even though an object is not a "rock", it is picked up and examined - just in case it is.

All "rocks" in the user's possession will be smoked one after another, taking up days at a time. After this, the user falls into a deep sleep, lasting up to 24 hours or more. As soon as she/he awakes, the craving begins again.

DEPENDENCE / ADDICTION Dependence to cocaine is primarily psychological. The high is so pleasurable and powerful that users can become addicted after their first "hit". Addicts have described "falling in love" with the drug. An irresistible compulsion to repeat the sensation is created and the user starts craving more and more. The chronic user will do anything to obtain that high. They will sell everything they have, lie and manipulate loved ones, even turn to criminal behaviour and drug selling to finance their expensive habit. Nothing else matters - cocaine rules their lives.

RECOVERY

Recovery is a process, not an event. It is often long and arduous. It is important that the right help is sought when beginning a recovery programme.

The recovering addict requires enormous support from family and friends, needs to avoid people, and places that remind him of his habit. Relapses are common but it is important not to view these as failures but as part of the process of recovery.

The initial withdrawal phase during which symptoms are experienced lasts about 4 days, usually followed by 2 less intense withdrawal phases lasting between 4 and 10 days. The initial phase is characterised by decreased energy, periods of craving, depression, nausea, vomiting, shaking, insomnia, muscular pains and irritability.

After the first two phases, long term treatment includes group therapy, life-skills training, the building of self-esteem, and the termination of cocaine-related relationships and working through of feelings and relationships. This can last 6 months to a year.