Cocaine is a dangerous drug that acts as a stimulant on the brain (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2013). It is derived from the leaves of the South American coca plant and can be found as a powder, or be produced as a rock crystal, also known as crack. Cocaine is injected or snorted and produces a high that is euphoric, and the individual has increased energy and becomes very talkative (NIDA, 2013). Because cocaine is a stimulant, it increases blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature (NIDA, 2013). In the brain, cocaine causes dopamine to build up between synapses (NIDA, 2013). Therefore, there is not reuptake and the dopamine increases, creating this intense euphoria (NIDA, 2013). Cocaine carries a high risk of addiction, since tolerance continually increases. Heart attack, stroke, and malnourishment are other side effects (Ackerman, 2014). The emotional effects include paranoia, anxiety, and irritability (Ackerman, 2014). Cocaine is potent substance, and the effects on a pregnancy can be devastating. It is not known what amount creates the danger or birth defects, but cocaine has an effect on weight, length, premature labor, miscarriage in utero, and more effects are common after the birth and throughout the child's growth (Ackerman, 2014).
The role of a nurse is very important during the medical care of mother and baby with cocaine use. The nursing care considerations include mental health as well as physiological care. Likely all of these pregnancies are unplanned, and about 4% if all pregnancies involved illegal drug use (Mellon, 2014). It is a difficult situation for a medical professional because the nurse needs to address two issues: that the mother has the psychological and physiological needs of an addict, and...
... middle of paper ...
... of the baby. It will also decrease legal issues during pregnancy, which make access to care harder, and decrease the stigmatized situation that the mother maybe placed in.
In conclusion, cocaine has extremely negative effects on a pregnancy. As a nurse, the most important act is to stop the continued use of the drug and manage withdrawal symptoms. Drug counseling is necessary to ensure the continued non-use of the substance. Early detection is key. With this strategy, it will be more probable for better fetal development and management of the mothers' drug use. It has been found that children fare better when the use of cocaine is less during the early childhood years, not in utero (Szalavitz, 2012). It is integral treatment occur immediately and early. Nurses can be a powerful force in the outcome of the health of the mother and the baby with cocaine addiction.
NAS has turned into an epidemic espicially in the state of Tennessee a little more than 320 babies were born with NAS in 2013. Tennessee was the first state to start keeping track of the number of cases of NAS. NAS occurs when pregnant women take drugs such as heroin, codeine, oxycodone, methadone, or buprenorphine (“Babies are being born addicted to drugs”). This happens when the substances pass through the placenta that connects the baby to its mother. Then the baby becomes dependent on the drug like the mother. Hospitals began treating these cases with morphine, by administering a dosage of morphine every few hours as needed and reducing the dosage until the baby was better. During this process doctors need to keep a look out for the babies since the morphine can cause them to stop breathing. A baby born with NAS usually suffers from low birth weight and respiratory problems. Heroin and cocaine are some of the most common drugs being abused, and they both have short and long term effects other than withdrawal symptoms: Such as ph...
Attention Material: Cocaine is mostly known as an illegal drug, but very few truly acknowledge it for its medical purposes and fully understand its history in the country. Cocaine is a tropane ester alkaloid ,which is extracted from the leaves of the coca (Erythroxylon coca) plant (Clayton, 1996). Cocaine is considered the most powerful and most dangerous drug of natural origin. Cocaine is illegal in the United States and is classified under the Schedule II medication which is contained in the Controlled Substance Act of the United States Constitution.
...or equitable treatment in some regions and cultures. Another convoluting factor for legislature involves pregnancy. Fetal rights are still undefined, and must be considered in direct relation to the rights of the parents, particularly the mother’s health rights.
Cocaine is a drug derived from the leaf of the Erytroxylon cocoa bush, which grows primarily in Peru and Bolivia. Cocaine also known as coke, C, snow, flake, nose candy, blow, or crack is generally sold on the street as a hydrochloride salt( a water-soluble salt). Cocaine is a fine, white crystalline powder often diluted with similar-looking substances such as talcum powder, sugar, or amphetamines. The powder can be snorted into the nostrils, also may be rubbed onto the mucous linings of the mouth, rectum, or vagina. To experience cocaine's effects quickly, and to heighten their intensity, users sometimes dissolve it in water and injects into a vein. The drug may be smoked in a purified form through a water pipe (freebassing) or in a concentrated form (crack) shaped into pellets or rocks and placed in special smoking gear. Despite today's abuse of the highly addictive drug, cocaine was intended for medical purposes. Pure cocaine was first extracted and identified by the German chemist Albert Niemann in the mid-19thcentury, and was introduced as a tonic/elixir in patent medicines to treat a variety of real or imagined illnesses. Later, it was used as a local anesthetic for eye, ear, and throat surgery and continues today to have limited use in surgery. Cocaine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant that heightens alertness and provides intense feelings of pleasure. Because of it's potent euphoric and energizing effects, many people
Drug (alcohol, tobacco & cocaine) addiction is accepted by the medical community as a disease. The medical model explains that consuming drugs excessively is a symptom of this medical condition. However, those in power that adhere to a conservative ideology do not accept the medical model's explanation as to why pregnant women would continue to use drugs knowing the adverse affect this will have on the fetus. Historically punitive measures involving incarceration and subsequent removal o...
Substance abuse during pregnancy can have a negative force on the health and wellness of not only the fetus, but that of the mother. The harmful effects of medications, alcohol and illegal drugs on an unborn child can be devastating and can have significant consequences to its use. Sometimes the effects can be faced and treated, and other times the outcome is a lifelong challenge. During the prenatal period, it is important that new mothers are informed of the different types of abuse, how they may affect the fetus, and the adverse conditions their child may be faced with before and after birth.
A common recreational drug that is illegally dealt is Heroin. To many this drug is known by a few slang/street names, some being; smack, brown stone and junk (Tracy, 2012). Heroin is a highly addictive opiate that caused many different issues regarding physical and mental health. It can be consumed in 3 different ways: snorting, injecting and smoking. The original purpose of heroin is far different then the purpose that it is used for today in society. In 1874, heroin was first produced from morphine and 24 years later began its journey in the field of medicine to help morphine addicted patients (Scott, 1998). After use of the medicine it became present that the drug was just as addictive as morphine and was in turn creating patients to become addicted to the new drug. In 1902, doctors ceased the use of heroin in the medical field and a few years following, 8 years later, the first case of a heroin addict was admitted to a hospital for treatment (Scott, 1998). The drug is no longer used for a medical purposes but is still present in the legal drug selling market. Many countries have stiff penalties if caught in possession of or are selling heroin, because this drug is listed as a Class A drug (“Opium, Morphine, Heroin”, n.d.).
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a group of problems a newborn experiences when exposed to addictive drugs that the mother consumes during pregnancy. NAS is a growing concern in the United States and can have significant adverse effects on newborns. Shortly after birth, the infant can display many physical symptoms of withdrawal. In addition, substance abuse during pregnancy can cause premature birth, low birth weight, seizures, birth defects, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and possible long-term cognitive and behavioral problems. The 2010 results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings reported incidence of substance abuse among pregnant women within the United States....
Many people avoid the use of crack because of the harmful chemicals used in creating the drug. One of the reasons why crack became popular is because of not needing to inject the drug hence less risks of being infected by the AIDS virus. Carroll (2000) states cocaine is the most powerful stimulant of natural origin. Most users snort or inject the drug to enable a quicker “high.” Cocaine use brings on many health problems.
A 5 page introduction on the importance of obstetric/gynecology centers on many aspects of women's health care. Identifies the problems inherent in crack cocaine use among pregnant women and stresses the importance of educational programs in the reduction of crack cocaine usage and suggests that viable alternatives for these types of programs could be revealed by reviewing crack usage among pregnant women outside the large urban environment.The drug problem affects all types of students. All regions and all types of communities show high levels of drug use. Thirty percent of 1990 high school seniors in nonmetropolitan areas reported illicit drug use in the previous year, while the rate for seniors in large metropolitan areas was 33 percent. Although higher proportions of males are involved in illicit drug use, especially heavy drug use, the gap between the sexes is closing Bibliography lists 4 sources. The drug problem affects all types of students.
The addicted individuals need to be aware of the services that are available for them and their children during and after their addictive stages. The abuse that some of these children endure can start at the earliest stages of their lives. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome begins to effect the child while it is still in its mother’s womb. This disease not only effects the child physically, but emotionally and intellectually. Many parents continue to abuse substances while they are knowingly pregnant.
...dering of children who have never gotten a chance at a future, should be considered a crime. I think that this idea can reduce the rate of abortion in many ways. Why? Because she would not have to deal with a situation where she would feel afraid, or where the child would be undesirable.
Cocaine and the Nervous System. [online] Available at: http://serendip.bryanmawr.edu/exchange.node/1739 [Accessed: 2 Oct 2013]. Donaghy, M. 2005. "The Species of Neurology.
Many people that have smoked marijuana also try other drugs to get another type of high. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that effects the brain directly. This powerful drug takes effect in very small doses by making a person feel more alert or energetic. Though people may think the drug helps them perform tasks faster with fewer complications, it also carries a list of effects. Some include constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, high temperature, high heart rate, and bizarre behavior. Some...
People are trapped in drug addiction due to various reasons. Some will try to take drugs because of curiosity. Some have many people and friends take drugs, and some want to have the experience. Athletes take drugs with the aim of improving their performance as well as to reduce certain problems. i.e. depression, stress, or anxiety. The use of drugs does not lead to drug addiction automatically. It is not possible to measure the level at which the use of drugs may be regarded as casual or even problematic. It depends on the individual. Drug addiction is not determined by the amount of drugs consumed or the many times they are consumed, but the consequences brought about by the drug addiction. This means that irrespective of the small amount one consumes, as long as the use of drugs leads to problems in life, there is a high chance of drug addiction (Sinha 351). Although many unfortunate factors cause one to fall into drug addiction, many treatments exist to save an individual from the horrible consequences. This paper discusses some of them, for instance, family history of addiction, social environment, heredity, mental addiction, peer pressure, and escapism. The paper will also highlight the symptoms, physical addiction, and withdrawal. Finally, the paper aims at highlighting methods used to ensure an individual is able to recover from drug addiction. The family history of the drug or alcohol addict is likely to place an individual in a high risk position of becoming addicted to drugs. Genetics, however, do no guarantee that an individual with a family history of drug addiction will become an addict. This is because there is no single gene, which has been identified to be responsible for passing the addictive trai...