![]() ![]() It then causes release of brain chemicals in the pleasure centers of the brain, resulting in the desired stimulating, euphoric effects. The first is that, when smoked, the drug is delivered through the lungs to the brain almost immediately. Getting cocaine into a vapor form or smoke is important to cocaine users for 2 reasons. This transformation makes crack a drug that is easier and more economical to market and, consequently, much less expensive.Ĭrack is in a form that allows it to be vaporized at a much lower temperature (98☌), without burning and destroying excess cocaine. The powder has a slower onset of action to produce the euphoric effects compared with crack, which is a solid formed by mixing cocaine powder with water and baking soda. A high temperature (195☌) is required to vaporize cocaine hydrochloride powder for smoking. The powder form (cocaine hydrochloride) is usually “snorted” intranasally, producing a “high” of less intensity. Crack is cocaine (cocaine base), but not in the powder form. Most medical practitioners know “crack” is connected to cocaine, but few clinicians know exactly what crack is. ![]() Primary care practitioners need to be familiar with the treatment programs for patients with cocaine use disorders so appropriate referral can easily take place and follow-up care can be understood and maintained.Ĭocaine is one of the most addictive substances used in today's society. Nonaddictive medication may be necessary to treat comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depressive disorders. Comorbid psychiatric disorders are frequent in patients with cocaine use disorders and can worsen with cocaine use. Many patients with cocaine dependence have also been found to have a comorbid psychiatric disorder.Ĭonclusion: Cocaine can produce a spectrum of psychiatric symptoms with which primary care practitioners need to be familiar. In suicide, cocaine has been found to be present in as high as 18% to 22% of cases. Homicide has also been associated with cocaine use in as many as 31% of homicide victims. Cocaine-related violent behaviors occur in as many as 55% of patients with cocaine-induced psychiatric symptoms. ![]() Paranoia occurs in 68% to 84% of patients using cocaine. Additional reports were found via bibliographies of various published reports.ĭata Synthesis: The use of cocaine in the “crack” form is often associated with more frequent and intense symptoms. They can be primary to the drug's effect or secondary to exacerbation of comorbid psychiatric disorders.ĭata Sources: A computerized literature search was conducted using MEDLINE to identify reports of psychiatric symptoms secondary to cocaine use. The symptoms include agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, violence, as well as suicidal and homicidal thinking. Background: Cocaine is an addictive drug that produces numerous psychiatric symptoms, syndromes, and disorders. ![]()
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