Substance Abuse Cocaine
History of Cocaine abuse
Though recent scholars are increasingly viewing cocaine and its associated problems to be a problem of the 19th century, its history could be traced back to the 15th century. Chermack and Blow (2002) record that most South American indigenous people chewed the cocoa leafs which was believed to give them additional energy. By late 18th century, the cocaine alkaloids were successfully separated and its medical application intensified and highly popularized during the last decades of the 18th century. Apart from its use in anesthetics, it was largely incorporated in most beverages such as wine (Goldberg, 2009). Notably, its use by the onset of the 20th century further developed and it could be smoked, injected directly into the body or taken with beverages and food.
As Galanter and Kleber (2008) record, the turn of the 20th century revealed the cocaine addictive properties. Particularly, it was associated with majority of the criminals, prostitutes, burglars and bell boys in the community. Following Dr. Christopher Koch from Pennsylvania confession that cocaine was the major threat to the peoples personalities, the government passed the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act in 1914 that prohibited distribution and sale of cocaine in the United States (Richard et al, 2009). It is worth noting that this acts wrong reference to cocaine as a narcotic and not a stimulant led to its continued sale by the legalized companies in the nation. Though cocaine use has been strongly prohibited by the government and medical experts, its use around the world is still very high a consideration that makes the employed techniques to address it becomes questionable Cohen, L. (20009It is from the above historical orientation that the following key questions have remained unanswered over the years. Is it possible to fully stamp out cocaine production and use Are the treatment mechanisms effective in addressing emergent problems for the addicts
Prevalence and statistics of Cocaine
As indicated earlier, Galanter and Kleber (2008) and Lowinson (2005) argue that the current cocaine related statistics are worrying especially with reflection of the extended benefits. In the year 2006, ten percent of total public substance abuse centers admissions were from cocaine crackdown. Besides, it is estimated that about 33.7 million people in the United States of the ages beyond twelve years have tried to use cocaine in their lifetime at least once (Goldberg, 2009). For those between the ages of 24 and 34 years, most of them as Goldberg (2009) continue to say, have used cocaine in their lifetime. This high percent puts the existing social institutions and their contribution towards a healthy and morally upright society questionable. By the year 2005, Richard (2009) reports that over 34milion people of the total population by then had used cocaine making it the second mostly used illicit drug in the nation.
Comparing its use between men and women in the nation, Galanter and Kleber (2008) record that the former are more likely to use the drug compared to the latter. Between the years 2003 and 2007, the percentage of young adults who were reported using cocaine increased from 5 to 8 respectively. Further from their study, Goldberg (2009) concurs with the findings of Moore et al (2008) that over 80 of the cocaine users understood the possibility of getting addicted and other related problems. Over 52.2 of the cocaine abusers in the United States often access enough updates about cocaine and its associated problems though the press.
Diagnosis and related issues
Notably, the effects resulting from cocaine use are largely correlated to the level of addiction that an individual is suffering from. Therefore, people with low addiction become hard to diagnose of cocaine use as its symptoms are not distinct. In his view, acute cocaine users often experience hallucinations, tachycardia and paranoid delusions (Cohen, 2009). However, it is very hard to effectively differentiate its impacts from those of other drugs such as tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. Indeed, this makes it very hard for psychologists to identify and may result to addressing the wrong drug especially where the user is not cooperative.
However, chronic intake leads to the brain cells adapting to functionally stronger imbalances especially towards key body extreme demands. The changes recorded in the monoamine transmitters and the brain protein neurofilaments culminate to long term damaging of dopamine neurons. As a result, the diagnostic criterion for withdrawal is characterized with strong dysphoric mood, hypersomnia, anxiety, erectile dysfunctional, psychomotor retardation and unpleasant dreams (Lowinson, 2005). It is worth noting that even at chronic levels, the depicted characteristics still resemble with those from other drugs such as marijuana and further testing may still be required.
To address the above uncertainties in diagnosing cocaine, clinicians and psychologists have resulted to testing its presence in the urine. According to Conner, Pinquart and Amanda (2008), cocaine is metabolized extensively by the liver and only about 1 remains unchanged and released to the urine. Depending with the efficacy of the liver and kidneys of the user, it is possible to detect its metabolites in the urine as early as four hours after its consumption.
Theories related to its addiction and impacts
The theoretical explanations of the high addiction levels of cocaine as Cohen (2009) explains are related to the effects reported in monoamine transmitters and the brain protein neurofilaments reduction. As indicated earlier, chronic use of cocaine creates a highly insatiable demand that can make the addicted person go any length in acquiring large amounts of the drug. Once cocaine reaches high levels in the blood, Moore et al (2008) explain that the users heart rate and blood vessels often constrict leading to users high feeling being intensified. At this instance, the addict could also experience aggression and restlessness.
The rising high use of cocaine in the society as Galanter and Kleber (2008) argue is also largely linked to negative peer influence among the people in the society. As statistics indicate, most people in the United States will have tried cocaine at least once in their lifetime. In his theory of social comparison, Festinger Leon indicated that most people in the society will always seek to compare their views and equate them with their role models or key personalities (Richard et al, 2009). As a result, with the largest cohort of cocaine users being in the teen and early adulthood, the strong desire is derived from influence by key role models using the same drug to achieve specified status especially in the media. Though the drug may not be directly advertised in the media due to its illegality, Conner et al (2008) indicate that most of the users are viewed to possess extra powers. The desire to get similar status therefore pushes majority of the people to use the same drugs despite clear understanding of the related body and legal repercussions.
In his view, Galanter and Kleber (2008) argue that the social theory underscores the special pressure that people undergo through makes them adhere to the group norms without resistance. Notably, groups especially in the teen and early adult ages specifically develop their own cultures that members often conform or drop from the group. With cocaine as indicated earlier being considered to make one more powerful, the group norms easily assimilate it to create the superiority notion among other peers (Chermack and Blow, 2002).
Robert et al (2007) on the other hand explain the ever rising levels of cocaine abuse by indicating that most people lack the necessary understanding of the drug and its repercussions though the society inoculation theory. The theory postulates that people develop key beliefs and values in their lives which they internalize to seek specified achievements (Richard et al, 2009). Under this consideration therefore, the strongly publicized negative impacts resulting from cocaine use become a major factor to consider and perhaps explore the facts. It is indeed considered tricky for cocaine in that mild consumption have minimal effects. However, continued use results to chronic effects. It is critical that the problem is brought out more openly and all concerns constantly addressed to remove possible causes of doubt and the need for experimentation.
Treatment for the drug addicts
Use of motivational therapy
While agreeing with prior substance abuse therapists, Galanter and Kleber (2008) explain that it is not easy to address at the advanced stages of the addiction. Motivational therapy therefore forms one of the most effective methods in that the therapist and the cocaine addict are both involved in addressing the problem. Though scholars indicate that the efficacy of this method is dependent on the therapist, Goldberg (2009) argues that the addicts decision to reduce drug consumption is the key facet towards assimilation of a new positive perspective in their lives. Notably, specialists employing motivational therapy are considered to be more effective in that they operate in a reverse mode whereby the addict takes the sense of empathy and encouragement from the therapist towards achieving the targeted change. As opposed to condemning the addict, the therapist takes a lot of time in fitting within their situation and therefore appearing to develop towards the expected goal together (Moore et al, 2008). Notably, most of the addicts are usually segregated by others and therefore views the therapists to fill the left gap which is very critical for their recovery.
Use of cognitive behavioral therapy
Application of the cognitive behavioral therapy as Lowinson (2005) explains, involves a combination of different methods towards creating a differentiated thoughtful approach in their consideration of cocaine usage. Though its application is mostly short term, the cognitive therapists employs two key mechanisms to address the problem. First, the therapist uses functional analysis where all the information on the cocaine user before and during the consumption time is gathered (Richard, 2009). At this point, the therapist is able to know why the cocaine user is indeed using the drug and therefore use the same consideration in creating a platform for positive reinforcements.
Secondly, therapists engage the addicts in major training of clear coping skills that facilitate them to establish the need for change. Most cocaine users operate in groups and therefore fail to consider the personal orientation and focus when consuming it. As a result the training focus on interpersonal skills such as refusing drug offers, coping with craving and analyzing the expected results (Robert et al, 2007). Therefore, CBT for cocaine users focuses on motivation towards abstinence, the need to cope, reinforcing the change orientation and finally managing the possible painful effects. Of critical importance as Robert et al (2007) continue to say, is enhancement of social support by the community to foster acceptance in the community.
Conclusion and recommendations
It is from the above discussion that this paper concludes by supporting the thesis statement, the ability of a society to effectively identify, prevent and address issues related to substance abuse forms one of the most critical outlines towards maintaining a highly productive economy. The problem of cocaine abuse came out to be historical when it was naturally used by the indigenous American population. However, with its negative effects establishment and its illegalization, its use has remained highly secretive. It addiction was further brought out to have key negative implications to the users and the whole society in general. Though its treatment appears to have a string effect in addressing the problem, there is need to intensify it and therefore reduce the current high level prevalence in the nation.
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