Yesterday, we had some storms come through Louisville and the power kept going out. So, between that and homework, I apologize for not writing a post yesterday.
Anyway, I came across a website this morning that I would like to share in regards to crack. I know I've talked about this subject on past posts, but this really puts it into perspective. I only copied a few key points, but you can find more information at www.drugabuse.gov
- The faster cocaine is absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered to the brain, the more intense the high. Injecting or smoking cocaine produces a quicker, stronger high than snorting. On the other hand, faster absorption usually means shorter duration of action: the high from snorting cocaine may last 15 to 30 minutes, but the high from smoking may last only 5 to 10 minutes. In order to sustain the high, a cocaine abuser has to administer the drug again. For this reason, cocaine is sometimes abused in binges—taken repeatedly within a relatively short period of time, at increasingly higher doses.
- Many cocaine abusers report that they seek but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did from their first exposure. Some users will increase their dose in an attempt to intensify and prolong the euphoria, but this can also increase the risk of adverse psychological or physiological effects.
- Different methods of taking cocaine can produce different adverse effects. Regular intranasal use (snorting) of cocaine, for example, can lead to loss of the sense of smell; nosebleeds; problems with swallowing; hoarseness; and a chronically runny nose. Ingesting cocaine can cause severe bowel gangrene as a result of reduced blood flow. Injecting cocaine can bring about severe allergic reactions and increased risk for contracting HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases. Binge-patterned cocaine use may lead to irritability, restlessness, and anxiety. Cocaine abusers can also experience severe paranoia—a temporary state of full-blown paranoid psychosis—in which they lose touch with reality and experience auditory hallucinations.
Regardless of the route or frequency of use, cocaine abusers can experience acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular emergencies, such as a heart attack or stroke, which may cause sudden death. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizure followed by respiratory arrest.
With Brent being Bipolar, doesn't he worry about the interactions between his medication and this drug? I guess people that are so far gone don't really consider this, but considering he is the father of my children - I do. I worry about it so much! My children would be devastated if something happens to him.
When Brent had supervised visitation, it was always a mystery if he would show up or not. It got to the point to where I didn't tell the kids it was "visit from Daddy" day, so I wouldn't see their disappointment. The last time he actually showed up was October (2011). The following December is when the judge ruled that the children would be in serious danger around him, therefore his visitation was rescinded. However, he decided to show up at the children's Christmas Program at school. So, that's actually the last time the children saw him. Does that bother him, like it does them? Is his 5 minute high really that more important? For someone who once had everything has almost lost everything. When and where is his "rock bottom"?!?! If you are reading this and are thinking about using or even if you currently use, take this bozo as a prime example. At one point in his life, he was a millionaire. He had it all! Now, he's alone, no job, no home, no family, and the walls are still tumbling down on him. Someone very wise once told me there is help for addiction! And offering tuff love, is better then anything. So, letting the chips fall where they may is maybe just what the doctor ordered.
God Bless and Much Love!
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