Americans have been fascinated by cocaine for decades. Several of the drug kingpins associated with bringing cocaine into our country in the 1980s have had their lives turned into entertainment on television and on streaming platforms. Despite our obsession with the money, notoriety and lifestyles enjoyed by those who profited from the drug, a number of myths about the actual effects of cocaine persist.
Myth #1: Cocaine Primarily Affects Your Mind
While cocaine can have a profound effect on your mental state, numerous physical changes in your body also take place. Depending on how you use it, you can cause damage to your nasal passages, lungs, teeth and gums. Your heart rate increases, your blood vessels are constricted and your blood pressure rises. These developments can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Myth #2: You Can Occasionally Use Cocaine Without Danger
Cocaine is highly addictive, and you can develop addiction after just a few uses. The quality of the drug can also vary wildly. It is often cut (or diluted) with other products. This allows the dealers to stretch their supply or to add certain qualities to the drug. Unfortunately for the end user, you have no way of knowing what’s ending up in your body. For example, cocaine laced with fentanyl can be extremely dangerous as just a small amount of the drug can be lethal. Further, drugs and addiction impact different people in different ways. Your weight, health and genetics may all play a role in risk factors and addiction.
Myth #3: You Can Get More Done on Cocaine
Boosted creativity, sex drive and energy levels are all purported benefits of cocaine use. Because cocaine highs burn out so quickly, you don’t get to hang onto that extra energy for long. In fact, the comedown can leave you feeling considerably more tired, frustrated, anxious and listless than you were before using. Impotence and the loss of your sexual appetite are possible outcomes. As with many other drugs, that creative spark or surge that you feel is often revealed to be less than coherent when you sober up. Case in point: Stephen King’s only directing gig on Maximum Overdrive.
Get Help with Cocaine Addiction in Treasure Island, Florida
Cocaine’s reputation as a glamorous party drug might be one of the biggest myths about cocaine use. Once you’re caught in the cycle of addiction, your life begins to revolve around the drug. When are you going to get that next fix? How are you going to pay for it? There’s nothing glamorous about that.
The staff at Footprints Beachside Recovery understands addiction. It impacts everyone differently, and that’s why we tailor our rehabilitation programs to fit the needs of each client. If you’re worried about the cost of treatment, our admissions specialists are here to help with questions about insurance or other payment options.
Take the first step towards recovery and contact us now.
