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Cocaine FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Cocaine

From National Institute on Drug Abuse, About.com Guest

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Cocaine abuse and addiction continues to be a problem that plagues the United States. In 1997, for example, an estimated 1.5 million Americans age 12 and older were chronic cocaine users. Although this is an improvement over the 1985 estimate of 5.7 million users, prevention efforts still have a substantial distance to go in reducing the use of this addictive stimulant.

What is cocaine?
Where does cocaine come from?

What is crack?
How did crack get its name?

What is the scope of cocaine use in the United States?
How many people use cocaine in the United States?

How is cocaine used?
What are the different ways cocaine can be used?

How does cocaine produce its effects?
Why is it addictive?

What are the short-term effects of cocaine use?
The effects can vary greatly from person to person.

What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?
What does it do to the brain?

What are the medical complications of cocaine abuse?
Your health can be affected in many ways by cocaine use.

Are cocaine abusers at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C?
What are the increased risks for developing infections?

What is the effect of maternal cocaine use?
How is the unborn child affected by the mother's cocaine use?

What treatments are effective for cocaine abusers?
Are there any medications available to treat cocaine addiction?

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