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Cocaine Addiction

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Submitted By RHIMMONS
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Cocaine Addiction Education
ENG 122: English Composition II
September 1, 2008

Drug addiction and alcoholism is wide spread among adults and teenagers in today’s society. The percentage of adults affected by these addictions has always been high; however the percentage of teenagers affected by drug and alcohol addictions is growing astronomically. Cocaine has become the drug of choice for adults and teenagers, next to alcohol and prescription drugs. It is the quickest high that can be achieved but one of the deadliest. Cocaine addition affects not only those getting high but their loved ones and friends. If there was more emphasis on cocaine addiction education for the loved ones and friends of those affected, there would be decreased incidents of relapse and overdoses. My research and personal experiences with cocaine addiction will enable me to provide general information on cocaine, cocaine addiction, and how relationships are affected. What is cocaine? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. Extracted from the leaf of the Erythroxylon coca bush, it was used in tonics/elixirs to treat a variety of illnesses during the 1900’s.” (NIDA, 2008) Cocaine is used in two chemical forms which are powdered and freebase. The powdered form known as hydrochloride salt is snorted up the nose and known on the street as “coke,” “blow,” “snow,” “flake,” and “C.” It is also injected into the vein when mixed with water. The freebase form can be smoked. “Crack, the street name given to freebase form of cocaine, is achieved when the powdered form of cocaine is heated with ammonia or baking soda and water to remove the hydrochloride from the powder.”(NIDA, 2008) The name crack was derived from the crackling sound heard when the freebase is smoked. The high received

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