How does cocaine work?
ANSWER
The drug sends high levels of dopamine, a natural chemical messenger in your body, into the parts of your brain that control pleasure. This buildup causes intense feelings of energy and alertness.
From: What Is Cocaine? WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by Nayana Ambardekar on September 26, 2017
SOURCES:
National Institute on Drug Abuse: “A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction,” “Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction,” “What Are Stimulants?” “What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?” “What is Cocaine?”
Foundation for a Drug-Free World: “Effects of Cocaine.”
Center for Substance Abuse Research: “Cocaine (Powder).”
SAMHSA/CSAT Treatment Improvement Protocols: “Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment.”
Narconon: “Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Use.”
UpToDate: “Cocaine use disorder in adults: “Epidemiology, pharmacology, clinical manifestations, medical consequences, and diagnosis.”
The University of Arizona Methamphetamine and Other Illicit drug Education: “Cocaine Overdose.”
SOURCES:
National Institute on Drug Abuse: “A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction,” “Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction,” “What Are Stimulants?” “What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?” “What is Cocaine?”
Foundation for a Drug-Free World: “Effects of Cocaine.”
Center for Substance Abuse Research: “Cocaine (Powder).”
SAMHSA/CSAT Treatment Improvement Protocols: “Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment.”
Narconon: “Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Use.”
UpToDate: “Cocaine use disorder in adults: “Epidemiology, pharmacology, clinical manifestations, medical consequences, and diagnosis.”
The University of Arizona Methamphetamine and Other Illicit drug Education: “Cocaine Overdose.”
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