Drug Abuse Of Cocaine and Other Psychostimulants

Extract

[...] The route of administration determines the amount of cocaine absorbed and the rapidity of its uptake in the brain. Swallowed or snorted (intranasal) cocaine penetrates biologic membranes poorly and undergoes 70 to 80% hepatic transformation. Cocaine administered intravenously or smoked is absorbed. The onset of action varies according to the route of administration: oral, peak effect in 1 hour; intranasal to 5 minutes for onset with a peak effect in 30 to 60 minutes; intravenous, onset in 12 to 16 seconds, with 10 to 20 minutes' duration of effect; and smoked, onset in 6 to 8 seconds with 5 to 10 minutes' duration of effect. [...]

[...] Topical cocaine is used in otolaryngologic procedures, and psychostimulants are used either for their stimulant effects or for their paradoxical calming effect in some patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. History The earliest recorded use of cocaine in the form of ingested coca leaf occurred around 3000 BC. In 1860, cocaine was isolated and incorporated into tonics, teas, and wines. In the 1880s, an Atlanta druggist patented a product that contained two naturally occurring stimulants, cocaine and caffeine, which eventually became known as Coca-Cola. [...]

[...] Myocardial damage may be similar to that seen in pheochromocytoma, in which norepinephrine excess results in a nonspecific pathologic finding, contraction band necrosis. Cocaine addiction frequently is associated with psychiatric diseases, such as depression, anxiety, phobia, attention-deficit disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. High doses can result in transient psychosis, delirium, paranoid ideation, bizarre behavior, and suicide attempts. Other complications of cocaine use include vascular headaches, rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure, placental abruption, erosion of dental enamel, gingival ulceration, chronic rhinitis, perforated nasal septum, pulmonary edema, and sexual dysfunction. Recommendations Sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, have been associated strongly with [...]

[...] Estrategico DRUG ABUSE OF COCAINE AND OTHER PSYCHOSTIMULANTS Classification Cocaine, an alkaloid extracted from coca leaves, and other psychostimulants (e.g., amphetamine, methamphetamine) rapidly increase the concentration of several neurotransmitters in synaptic junctions and stimulate the sympathetic and central nervous systems. Topical cocaine is used in otolaryngologic procedures, and psychostimulants are used either for their stimulant effects or for their paradoxical calming effect in some patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. History The earliest recorded use of cocaine in the form of ingested coca leaf occurred around 3000 BC. [...]

[...] Epidemiology An estimated 1.5 million Americans, representing of the population aged 12 years and older, have used cocaine in the past month. More than 900,000 Americans use cocaine for the first time each year, and more than 30 million Americans have used cocaine at least once. Use is higher in the 18- to 34-year-old age group ( 1.5 to 2.0 in men than in women ( 1.1 versus 0.5 in urban areas, and among individuals with less education. Although current cocaine use is highest in the unemployed ( 2.4 of adult users are employed full-time or part-time. [...]