Cocaine produces a sense of extreme joy by causing the brain to release higher than normal amounts of some biochemicals. However, cocaine's effects on the body can be very serious or even deadly. When cocaine use is stopped or when a binge ends, a crash follows almost immediately. This is accompanied by a strong craving for more cocaine, fatigue, lack of pleasure, anxiety, irritability, sleepiness, and sometimes agitation or extreme suspicion. Cocaine withdrawal often has no visible physical symptoms like the vomiting and shaking that accompanies the withdrawal from heroin or alcohol. In the past, people underestimated the addictive properties of cocaine. However, cocaine is addictive when addiction is viewed as a condition involving desire for more of the drug despite negative consequences. The level of craving, lack of pleasure, and depression produced by cocaine withdrawal rivals or exceeds that felt with other withdrawal symptoms. Related topics: drug abuse, drug abuse and dependence, drug abuse first aid, stroke secondary to cocaine.
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