Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
What causes and prevents cocaine abuse and addiction?
Like the majority of other mental-health problems, cocaine abuse and
addiction have no single cause. However, there are a number of biological,
psychological, and social factors, called risk factors, that can increase a
person's likelihood of developing a chemical abuse or chemical dependency
disorder. The frequency that substance-abuse disorders occur within some
families seems to be higher than can be explained by the addictive environment
of the family. Therefore, most substance-abuse professionals recognize a genetic
aspect to the risk of drug addiction. This is particularly true for cocaine
dependence.
Mental-disorder symptoms that are caused by cocaine abuse or addiction
include mood disorders like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, as well as
personality disorders like antisocial personality disorder. Social risk factors
for drug abuse and addiction include male gender, ages 18 to 44 years old,
Native American heritage, unmarried marital status, and lower socioeconomic
status. According to statistics by state, people residing in the West tend to
be at higher risk for chemical abuse or dependency. As
with substance abuse in general, prevention of cocaine abuse and addiction is
increased by circumstances like receiving clear messages from family members
that cocaine use is unacceptable.
What are symptoms and signs of cocaine abuse and addiction?
Cocaine abuse is a disorder that is characterized by a destructive pattern of
using cocaine that leads to significant problems or distress. Cocaine addiction,
also called cocaine dependence or cocaine dependency, is a disease that is
characterized by a destructive pattern of cocaine abuse that leads to
significant problems involving tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance, as
well as other problems that the use of cocaine can cause for the sufferer,
socially or in terms of the person's work or school performance.
In order to be diagnosed with cocaine abuse, an individual must exhibit a
destructive pattern of abusing this drug that leads to significant problems or
stress but not enough to qualify as being addicted to it. This pattern is
manifested by at least one of the following signs or symptoms in the same
one-year period:
Recurrent cocaine use that results in a lack of meeting important
obligations at work, school, or home
Recurrent cocaine use in situations that can be dangerous
Recurrent legal problems as a result of cocaine use
Continued cocaine use despite continued or repeated social or relationship
problems as a result of the drug's effects
In order to be diagnosed with cocaine addiction, an individual must exhibit a
destructive pattern of abusing the substance that leads to significant problems
as manifested by at least three of the following signs or symptoms in the same
one-year period:
Tolerance, which is either markedly decreased effect of cocaine or a need
to significantly increase the amount used in order to achieve the same high or
other desired effects
Withdrawal, which is either physical or psychological signs or symptoms
consistent with withdrawal from cocaine, or taking it or a substance that is
chemically related in order to avoid developing symptoms of withdrawal
Larger amounts of cocaine are taken or for longer than intended.
The individual experiences persistent desire to take the drug or has
unsuccessful attempts to decrease or control its use.
Significant amounts of time are spent either getting, using, or recovering
from the effects of cocaine.
The individual significantly reduces or stops participating in important
social, recreational, work, or school activities as a result of using cocaine.
The individual continues to use cocaine despite being aware that he or she
suffers from ongoing or recurring physical or psychological problems that are
caused or worsened by the use of the drug.
Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly
elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above
140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. There are two causes of high blood pressure, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is much more common that secondary and its basic causes or underlying defects are not always known. It is known that a diet high in salt increases the risk for high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Genetic factors are also a primary cause. Secondary high blood pressure is generally caused by another condition such as renal hypertension, tumors, and other conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure is generally lifestyle changes and if necessary, diet.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.
There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Read more to learn about recommended procedures and tests for each stage of a healthy pregnancy.
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
Nosebleed is common in dry climates during winter months, and in hot dry climates with low humidity. Individual taking blood clotting medications, aspirin, or antiinflammatory medications may be more prone to nose bleeding. Other factors that contribute to nosebleed are trauma (including nose picking), rhinitis, and high blood pressure. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which infects humans when it comes in contact with a break in the skin or tissues such as those that line the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes.
A stroke results from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. A stroke is also referred to as a CVA, or cerebrovascular incident. Symptoms of stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance, and/or sudden severe headache with no known cause. A TIA, or transient ischemic attack is a short-lived temporary impairment of the brain caused by loss of blood supply. Stroke is a medical emergency.
Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often precedes vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions. The causes of vomiting differ according to age, and treatment depends upon the cause of nausea and vomiting.
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical
instability of the heart.
Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year, and 10 million to 20 million attempt suicide annually.
Drug addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. Not getting enough sleep can hurt memory performance, health, and your mood.
Compulsive gambling is a disorder that affects millions in the U.S. Symptoms and signs include a preoccupation with gambling, lying to family or loved ones to hide gambling, committing crimes to finance gambling, and risking importance relationships and employment due to gambling. Treatment may incorporate participation in Gamblers' Anonymous, psychotherapy, and medications like carbamazepine, topiramate, lithium, naltrexone, antidepressants, clomipramine, and fluvoxamine.
Domestic violence, or intimate partner abuse, is when one person in an intimate relationship uses any means to control the other person. It may take many forms, including emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or economic abuse. Risk factors for domestic violence include drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, and having a relationship with the victim. Part of treating domestic violence involves keeping the victim safe and developing a safety plan for home and the workplace.
Ecstasy (MDMA), Rohypnol, ketamine and GHB are a few of the different types of drugs abused at bars, raves and parties. Rohypnol may produce amnesia, GHB may result in sleep, coma, or death, and ketamine can cause dreamlike states and hallucinations. Treatment of club drug addiction focuses on monitoring and managing withdrawal symptoms.
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