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Society and substances

By October 29, 2010 - 3:29pm
 
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I hope you can assist me, is there any difference between a drug abuser and a drug user?
For example i know for a cocaine abuser and they get dependent on it day or weekly on it. But is Alcohol not the same thing the, as some people do drink alcohol the same way.

Now my question comes if i use cocaine only twice a year does that make me a drug abuser, I know it is still wrong and i still feel bad if i also feel bad when i drink alcohol but it is accepted in the society ? I do realize it is bad for a persons body but so is alcohol and cigars, I know the difference is the one is legal in the country where you buy it over the counter and the other one you need to buy it off the street.

I do appreciate for taking your time to read my email.

Regards,
Drake

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Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

You're welcome Drake. I think you might find the following story interesting. A new study shows alcohol is more dangerous than cocaine.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20021311-10391704.html

November 1, 2010 - 8:46am

Thank you Pat for you answer. I really do appreciate it and will take your advise in concentration and even do more research before i would do anything irrationally.

Regards,

November 1, 2010 - 7:51am
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Hi Drake, and thanks for your rather unusual question. This must be important to you if you took the time to write in and share your thoughts.

Since you have come to a health site I will answer you from the health perspective. A person can be prescribed a drug and "use" that drug, and a person can also use the same drug in an unsafe manner such as taking an excessive amount. When they do that they become a drug "abuser" since they are not taking the drug for medicinal purposes. If they reach the point where they can not longer function without the drug they have become addicted to the drug and are now an "addict."

In terms of cocaine, let's put aside the legalities for the purpose of this discussion. Cocaine stimulates or revs up the body's central nervous system by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This creates the sensations some feel are pleasurable. So, what you are asking is whether using a substance that has a strong effect on your brain chemistry is "abusive" or whether it is okay if it is only done twice a year. The answer depends on your personal belief system, I can't answer that for you.

Regardless of the frequency of use, putting cocaine in your body can lead to acute cardiovascular (heart) or cerebrovascular (brain) 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. The risk to your health, including death, seems like an awfully big risk to take for something that you say you only want to do twice a year.

Hope that helps. Pat

October 29, 2010 - 5:12pm
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