Long+term+effects

Due to the fact cocaine is a highly powerful addictive drug, it makes it highly unlikely that he user will be able to predict or control the extent where they will continue to use or want the drug. If addiction takes place, the risk of relapse is very high even following long periods of abstinence. Studies have shown that during the time of abstinence the memory of the cocaine experience can trigger immense cravings and relapse. With repeated use the brain will start to adapt making the reward pathway less sensitive to the drug itself and natural reinforcer's. Tolerance then develops meaning higher doses with more frequent drug use of cocaine is needed to register the same level of pleasure the individual experienced with their very first use. After long-term use with increasingly higher doses, it could lead to increased irritability, restlessness, panic attacks, and paranoia. A more extreme side effect could be full blown psychosis. This is where an individual loses all touch with reality and could experience hallucinations. With every increasing dosage or frequency of use, the risk of unfortunate psychological or physiological effects increases.  Due to the different available routes of admission for cocaine users, different adverse side effects could occur. Regular cocaine users could experience loss of sense of smell. nosebleeds, hoarseness, and possibly an all over irritation of the nasal septum resulting in a chronically inflamed runny nose. Users who inject cocaine can prone themselves to severe bowel gangrene due to reduced blood flow. Individuals who inject cocaine can suffer from puncture marks, a term referred to as "tracks". This is most common in a users forearm and could experience allergic reactions either to the drug its self or a additive in street cocaine. In severe cases of an added additive, it could lead to death. The most common side effect of all ways of admission are loss of appetite, resulting significant weight loss and malnourishment.