234 Cocaine Abuse and Dependence (305.6)
DSM-IV-TR criteria
A maladaptive pattern of cocaine use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12 month period:
1. Recurrent cocaine use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home.
2. Recurrent cocaine use in situations in which it is physically hazardous
3. Recurrent cocaine-related legal problems
4. Continued cocaine use despite having a persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problem caused or exacerbated by it use.
Or the symptoms have never met the criteria for Substance Dependence for this class of substance.
Associated features
- Intoxication of cocaine is accompanied with a number of symptoms. There is heightened alertness and euphoria associated with intoxication of cocaine. Behavioral changes such as hyperactivity, restlessness, impaired judgment and functioning, and anxiety are also associated with intoxication. People under a more severe intoxication will experience more agitation, confusion, and possibly seizures.
- Withdrawal symptoms can include a dysphoric or unpleasant mood, fatigue, unpleasant dreams, insomnia, psycho motor retardation, and increased appetite. When people are in this dysphoric mood, they think back to the euphoria they received from the cocaine high, which in turn increases their cravings to use cocaine again, to get out of the mood.
- Cocaine abusers experience a number of symptoms that affect every part of the body. First of all, cocaine affects the nervous system, which causes euphoria. It can also cause symptoms like hallucinations and muscle jerks. Cocaine also affects the brain, which makes it so addictive. Since cocaine is mostly sniffed or snorted through the nose, this causes serious effects on the sinuses and nose. Smoking cocaine can affect the lungs, much the way smoking cigarettes affect the lungs and breathing. Cocaine also has an effect on the heart. One of the main effects of cocaine is stimulating the sympathetic nervous system which is directly related to the heart and the “flight-or-fight” response. Cocaine abuse can cause increased heart rate, blood pressure, and decreasing the size of the blood vessels, which in turn restrict blood flow to the heart.
- People dependent to cocaine will do nearly anything to get cocaine. This can interfere with their job, schooling, and relationships. People dependent on cocaine have many of the same symptoms of intoxication. They have increased energy, weight loss, and not involved in normal activities, along with many other symptoms.
Child vs. adult presentation
There has not been much research done in the area of child vs. adult presentation. Children, however, can be affected by cocaine use in their parents. A fetus can be harmed when a mother is using cocaine while pregnant resulting in the baby having withdrawal symptoms when born. Women who are pregnant and using cocaine experience