COCAINE ?
Publications
NPW puts a week-long spotlight on prevention topics , but SAMHSA focuses on prevention throughout the year , including by developing a variety of publications for specific audiences as well as the general public . SAMHSA produced the Prevention Resources for Building Healthier Communities catalog to show those in the prevention community the array of resources , from the Report to Congress on the Prevention and Reduction of Underage Drinking to the Rx Pain Medications and Tips for Teens fact sheet series to Get Connected : Linking Older Adults with Resources on Medication , Alcohol , and Mental Health .
The catalog also showcases upcoming products , such as Marijuana Facts : A Toolkit for Parents , Community Leaders , and Employers and Student Assistance : A Guide for School Administrators . NPW is the inspiration for the 2018 National Prevention Week Planning Guide and Resource Calendar , an award-winning resource that supports prevention work year-round . Professionals in the prevention community , as well as anyone else interested in bolstering prevention efforts , can rely on SAMHSA ’ s continually expanding publications portfolio as they plan NPW events and maintain prevention momentum 365 days a year .
26 2018 OUTCOMES REPORT
COCAINE
THE TRUTH ABOUT COCAINE
SLANG : COKE / FLAKE / C / COCA / BUMP / TOOT / SNOW / BLOW / ROCK ( CRACK )
GET THE FACTS
COCAINE AFFECTS YOUR BRAIN . Cocaine causes a brief high that makes the user feel more energetic , talkative , and alert ; this can be followed by feelings of restlessness , irritability , and panic . 1 Cocaine is highly addictive and can increase the risk of negative psychological states , including paranoia , anxiety , and psychosis . 2 , 3
COCAINE AFFECTS YOUR BODY . People who use cocaine often don ’ t eat or sleep regularly . They can experience increased heart rate , muscle spasms , and convulsions . Snorting cocaine also can permanently damage nasal tissue . 4
COCAINE AFFECTS YOUR EMOTIONS . Using cocaine can change your mood and make you feel paranoid , angry , and anxious . 5
COCAINE IS ADDICTIVE . Repeated cocaine use changes the brain circuits that process feelings of pleasure , which can cause a person to lose interest in other areas of their life , like school , friends , and sports . 6 It also damages brain circuits that control stress , decisionmaking , and impulse control , making it more difficult to stop using , even when it has negative effects on your life and health . Frequent use also can lead to tolerance and withdrawal , so you need more of the drug just to feel normal . 7
COCAINE CAN KILL YOU . Cocaine use can cause seizures , strokes , and comas . Cocaine can change the way the heart beats and lead to a heart attack . People who share needles can contract hepatitis , HIV , and other diseases . 8 It also is particularly dangerous to consume cocaine and alcohol at the same time ; they combine to produce a third chemical , cocaethylene , that is far more toxic than either cocaine or alcohol alone . 9
COCAINE ADDICTION IS TREATABLE . Behavioral drug treatments can help someone stop using cocaine and recover from addiction . 10
Q . A .
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Q . A .
Q & A
IS COCAINE USE A PROBLEM ?
YES . There were 1 . 9 million current ( past-month ) cocaine users ages 12 or older in 2015 . 11 About 900,000 users ages 12 or older met the criteria for a diagnosable disorder with significant negative effects because of their cocaine use in the past year . 12 In 2014 , overdoses and deaths caused by cocaine use increased by 42 percent . 13
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COCAINE AND CRACK ?
COCAINE IS A WHITE POWDER that can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected . Crack , an altered form of cocaine , is a rock crystal that is usually smoked . 14
Q . WHAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS WAY TO USE A .
ANY METHOD OF COCAINE USE CARRIES A RISK of addiction and / or overdose . 15 Snorting cocaine can result in frequent nosebleeds or loss of sense of smell . Injecting cocaine can cause infected sores at the injection sites or exposure to serious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C by sharing needles . Using cocaine and alcohol at the same time is particularly dangerous . However , all methods of cocaine use can lead to severe cardiovascular , respiratory , and neurological effects .
THE BOTTOM LINE : Cocaine is illegal , addictive , and dangerous . 16 , 17 Talk to your parents , a doctor , a counselor , a teacher , or another adult you trust if you have questions .
LEARN MORE : Get the latest information on how drugs affect the brain and body at teens . drugabuse . gov .
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COCAINE , CONTACT : SAMHSA 1 – 877 – SAMHSA – 7 ( 1 – 877 – 726 – 4727 ) ( English and Español )
TTY 1 – 800 – 487 – 4889 www . samhsa . gov store . samhsa . gov
Hands-on Planning Resources
NPW participants had two ways to get planning resources this year : the NPW Wristband Toolkit and the Digital Toolkit . Both featured hands-on tools and information for partners , NPW working group members , family , youth , and prevention professionals .
Featuring the latest SAMHSA data on substance use prevention and mental health promotional materials , the Toolkits also included customizable tools and federal health agency publications related to each of the daily NPW themes .
The wristband toolkits were handed out at SAMHSA ’ s Prevention Day , with many organizations ordering copies to distribute at their own prevention events . More than 7,000 wristband toolkits were distributed or ordered this year .
The digital version of the Toolkits , available for download on the NPW website , featured English and Spanish versions of the full suite of planning resources and tools , which were collectively downloaded more than 5,000 times .
MOST DOWNLOADED
TOOLKIT RESOURCES
( IN RANK ORDER )
1 2 3
NPW Event Ideas NPW Fact Sheet NPW Customizable Fact Sheet