Detecting Cocaine Use – The Party Drug
Cocaine is a stimulant drawn from the Erythroxlyn coca plant. It affects the central nervous system and suppresses appetite and causes users to experience elevations in alertness, stamina, body temp, heart rate and a strong sense of euphoria. Due to its ease of use (cocaine can be sniffed, smoked, injected, and chewed among other things) it is very widely consumed all across the world most prominently in clubs. The time it takes to affect the system depends on the method of intake averaging from 3.1 minutes (for injection) to 30 minutes (if it’s taken orally) and also affects the expediency of the high
Nearly 1 in every 6 Americans have tried the drug by the time they are 30 years old, a frightening estimate considering the toll it takes on the human body. Frequent testing of the abuser is the best way to verify if they’re using the drug.
The Harmful Effects of Cocaine
Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs in existence; a single dose can cause addictive behavior. The danger of use is also quite severe, for some the first dose is lethal. Its effects can lead to paranoia, ulcerated or collapsed nasal passages, severe depression, cardiac arrest, and seizure. It also opens up the user for an increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, psychotic paranoia, and severe respiratory infections. If you suspect a loved one has been abusing drugs it is best to verify your concerns before you move forward. If your loved one is battling an addiction to these drugs it’s even more important that you be aware of their use.
The Following Symptoms are Common in Users:
• Bloodshot, Reddened Eyes
• Behavioral Abnormalities
• Constant Sniffing or Runny Nose
• Lack of Interest in Personal Appearance
• Frequently Asking for Money to Support the Habit
Testing for the Drug
Because the drug absorbs into the body fat of the user very easily its presence can remain from 2-4 days, evidence of its presence in the body remains far longer.
These are the standard methods of testing. These include:
• Hair Test: This method can detect cocaine in the hair follicle for up to 90 days after its use.
• Urine Screen: This method tests for cocaine in the urine, it’s effective for the first 3 days after cocaine use.
• Saliva Test: This takes minutes and uses a piece of prepared paper that changes color to infer if drug use has occurred.
It is now possible to obtain home drug testing kits to see if your suspicions are accurate about drug use in a loved one. Many of them apply the same standards of accuracy and use that the FDA approved, lab-processed ones do. They are relatively easy to use and not unlike the test kits that have been used to detect pregnancy for the last few decades. Obtaining them is also relatively simple; several online stores sell them and make an effort to ship them with an emphasis on privacy and expediency. If these drug tests on a loved one confirm your worst fears, it is best to seek help from a drug counselor at the earliest.
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October 21st, 2009 at 1:27 pm
[...] Signs of Cocaine use include constricted peripheral blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, hyper-alertness, lack of fatigue/sleeplessness, panic, extremely talkative; fast speech, runny nose or bloody nose, seizures from high doses or bad reaction, white powder seen on face or clothes, small spoon-like items used for snorting, mirrors and razor blades used for making lines, rolled money bills used for snorting, small bottles with screw on lids for storing and possession of small plastic packets with white residue. [...]
October 26th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
[...] are also plenty of states where cocaine drug abuse is their most threatening [...]