Psychological effects cocaine

When cocaine is coadministered with ethanol, cocaethylene (CE) is formed in the liver by transesterification by liver methylesterase. CE may also be formed by fatty acid ethyl synthase.16 This lipophilic compound crosses the blood-brain barrier and is known to contribute to the psychological effects produced by cocaine.1 Harris et al.17 administered deuterium-labeled cocaine (0.3 to 1.2 mg/kg) intravenously 1 h after an oral dose of ethanol (1 g/kg) to ten volunteers. When... 

Mild cases of alkaloid poisoning can produce psychological effects that resemble peacefulness, euphoria, or hallucinations. People seeking these effects often become addicted to alkaloids. Alkaloid addiction frequently ends in death. Current estimates are over 400,000 deaths from alkaloid addiction in the United States per year, including both natural alkaloids like nicotine and cocaine, and synthetic alkaloids like metham-phetamine. Most of these deaths result from addiction to nicotine in tobacco, a particularly difficult addiction to overcome. 

Covi L, Hess JM, Kreiter NA Haertzen CA (1995). Effects of combined fluoxetine and counselling in the outpatient treatment of cocaine abusers. American Journal of Drug Alcohol Abuse, 21, 327-44 Craig RJ, Olson R Shalton G (1990). Improvement in psychological functioning among drug abusers inpatient treatment compared to outpatient methadone maintenance. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 1, 11-19... 

Cocaine inhibits the presynaptic reuptake of the neurotransmitters norepinehrine, serotonin, and dopamine at synaptic junctions. This results in increased concentrations in the synaptic cleft. Since norepinephrine acts within the sympathetic nervous system, increased sympathetic stimulation is produced. Physiological effects of this stimulation include tachycardia, vasoconstriction, mydriasis, and hyperthermia.3 CNS stimulation results in increased alertness, diminished appetite, and increased energy. The euphoria or psychological stimulation produced by cocaine is thought to be related to the inhibition of serotonin and dopamine reuptake. Cocaine also acts as a local anesthetic due to its ability to block sodium channels in neuronal cells.3... 

Ritalin is a mild stimulant. On the contrary, the studies found that Ritalin, although effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD, shows no clear long-term improvement on users and can have dangerous effects on health, including death. Because the effects of Ritalin on humans are virtually identical to those produced by cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine (speed), the researchers noted that its abuse liability is high and can lead to marked tolerance and psychological dependence. 

Tolerance to the mood-altering effects and psychological dependency develop as with cocaine, and symptoms of withdrawal appear when the drug is stopped. Laboratory animals who have learned to self-administer amphetamines have been observed to choose drugs instead of food and water they die from exhaustion in their frantic efforts to feed their high. —... 

A few seconds after the administration there is a subjective euphoric phase (rush), a feeling of extreme pleasure and comfort. Then a rapid rebound of the cortical depression (down) leads the subject to a condition of anxiety, depression, and irritability. When regularly used, the physical and psychological discomfort that accompanies the end of the effects is configured as a real abstinence syndrome (crash), whose main symptoms are depression, physical breakdown, irritability, and above all the compulsive and uncontrollable desire for cocaine. 

Therapeutic uses Factors that limit the therapeutic usefulness of amphetamine include psychological and physiological dependence similar to those with cocaine, and the development of tolerance to the euphoric and anorectic effects with chronic use. [Note Less tolerance to the toxic CNS effects (for example, convulsions) develops.]... 

Like amphetamine and cocaine, abuse of MPH [Ritalin] can lead to marked tolerance and severe psychologic dependence. The pattern of abuse is characterized by escalation in dose, binge use followed by severe depression, and an overpowering desire to continue to the use of the drug despite negative medical and social consequences. The abuser may alter the mode of administration from oral use to intranasal or intravenous use to intensify the effects of the drug. (p. 35)... 

The behavioral effects of prenatal cocaine exposure at age 5 years have been studied in 140 children exposed to cocaine, 61 exposed to alcohol, tobacco, and/or marijuana, and 120 not exposed to any drugs (290). They were evaluated with the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. There was no association between behavior and intrauterine cocaine exposure. However, the current behavioral health of the mother, including recent drug use and psychological functioning, did affect the child s internalizing and externalizing behavior. 

---