Cocaine Addiction in California

Aside from being the most populous state in the United States, California is also home to many cocaine users. Cocaine addiction in California can strike any person on any socio-economic background especially in the largest urban areas such as Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco where there are many drug users. These cities have a significant number of cocaine abusers because they are home to more people than any other cities in California. Additionally, there are many drug trade players in major urban centers like San Francisco and Los Angeles. The increase of availability of drugs in an area makes the price of drugs go lower and often results in higher levels of addiction.

There are many risks associated with cocaine abuse regardless if the drug is ingested by smoking, injection, or inhalation. A highly addictive stimulant drug, cocaine is made from the leaves of coca plant native to South America. When ingested either in powder or crack form, cocaine causes short-term euphoria, talkativeness, and energy. It also has the potential to affect the user's physical health and cause raising heart rate and blood pressure, irritability, anxiety, and restlessness. Such type of drug is also noted to trigger violence and paranoia with long-term use.

Cocaine addiction in California is very common. While drug use in the state varies, authorities reported that the most commonly abused drugs in the state are cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, marijuana, Ecstasy, and Vicodin. Cocaine is smuggled in wholesale into the United States. Los Angeles has been reported to be one of the country's largest transshipment and distribution centers of cocaine. This contributes to the continuously rising number of California cocaine users.

According to the 2002 and 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the estimated number of cocaine users in California over an one year period was almost 723,000, of which 53,0000 were 12-17 years old, 259,000 were 18-25 years old, and 410,000 were 26 years old and older.

The signs of addiction to cocaine is not difficult to spot. Such signs include chronic cocaine use, issues at work such as constant failure to maintain deadlines, behavioral issues around family members and friends, health issues such as malnutrition and poor hygiene, and financial issues caused by constant purchase of cocaine.

Cocaine addiction in California is a serious problem across the state, and this problem of drug addiction hits urban areas the hardest. The areas in Los Angeles and Orange County are being overrun by cocaine, while many people in Sacramento and San Francisco are struggling with cocaine addiction as well.

Cocaine is considered a highly potent drug stimulant and is one of the greatest drug threats not only to the state of California or to the United States, but to the world. This is due to the violence associated with cocaine trafficking and abuse. Addiction to cocaine occurs among people of almost all ages and is commonly associated with violent crimes. Since cocaine is easy to afford and readily accessible in major cities in California, cocaine addiction in California continues to exist. This also contributes to the increase of drug treatment and rehabilitation centers especially in big cities where drug addiction is severe.