Summary of Acute-Chronic Effects of Cocaine

Abstract

During Early Use Magnification of pleasure, euphoria Alertness and in some cases hyperalertness Increased and/or a (grandiose) sense of well being Decreased anxiety Lower social inhibitions: more sociable and talkative Heightened energy, self-esteem, sexuality and emotions aroused by interpersonal experiences Appetite loss; weight loss

With Compulsive Use Extreme euphoria – “mental orgasm” Uninhibited behavior pattern Impaired judgment Feeling of grandiosity Impulsive reaction Hypersexuality Hypervigilance Compulsive actions Extreme psychomotor activation/agitation Anxiety; irritability; argumentative Transient panic Paranoia Visual hallucinations Gustatory and auditory pseudohallucinations Altered tactile sensations (with excoriation) Tactile paranoia (“coke bugs”) Terror of impending death Poor reality testing; delusions Extreme weight loss