Cocaine as with many of illicit drugs, can be backed a theory regarding why users experiment leading to use, abuse, and may become addicted. My theory behind drug usage, in this case, cocaine, is backed behind the classical theory biological instinct – that being a psychological theory of reinforcement. It is important to understand what is meant by reinforcement theory – which can be split into two categories. The first, being positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement “occurs when the individual receives a pleasurable sensation and, because of this, is motivated to repeat what caused it” (147, Theories of Drug use). This is often, the type of image and desire that is portrayed in the media regarding cocaine use. Take for example,
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These may be consumed orally, but only contain 0.3 – 1% cocaine Alkaid compared to the 60-90% in freebase cocaine or crack cocaine. Cocaine hydrochloride offers limited use as an anesthetic, but may be used for ear, nasal or throat surgery. The stimulatory properties affect the dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transmitter systems. This is what is the reinforcement factor in positive and/or negative reinforcement. Examples of positive reinforcement of cocaine use, is the sense of well-being, euphoria, increased energy/alertness, and suppression of hunger. Examples of negative reinforcement, which often is a result of chronic use, which factors may be depression, paranoid psychosis, confusion, exhaustion, and a strong psychological dependence. There are many undesired acute affects that may result in the consumption of cocaine, this includes increased heart rate/blood pressure/breathing, increased body temperature resulting in excessive sweating, vasoconstriction, insomnia, panic, erratic violent behavior, convulsions, seizures, hallucinations, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, heart failure, dysphoria, tiredness, irritability, and depression (Terminology and Information on Drugs). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2009, cocaine was involved in 422,896 emergency room visits out of the total …show more content…
Often, media fails to display appropriate results of drug usage, other than the expected “high”. The media also glorified not only cocaine, but all narcotic trafficking to a level of prestige. Interestingly enough, as stated above, the media in a symbolic way, showed both positive and negative reinforcement with the involvement of cocaine trafficking. Unfortunately, in American Gangster, the movie failed to show the negative effects of cocaine manufacturing processing, usage, and trafficking. In order for responsible consumption of cocaine, one must conduct research of potency of cocaine, how it is manufactured, the difference between powdered and crack cocaine, and it’s processing speed in the body depending on the type of consumption. Once this is understood, it is important to learn the side-affects, and the warning signs/undesired affects. Once these two important education factors are understood, then a person can make a responsible decision on consumption
These may be consumed orally, but only contain 0.3 – 1% cocaine Alkaid compared to the 60-90% in freebase cocaine or crack cocaine. Cocaine hydrochloride offers limited use as an anesthetic, but may be used for ear, nasal or throat surgery. The stimulatory properties affect the dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transmitter systems. This is what is the reinforcement factor in positive and/or negative reinforcement. Examples of positive reinforcement of cocaine use, is the sense of well-being, euphoria, increased energy/alertness, and suppression of hunger. Examples of negative reinforcement, which often is a result of chronic use, which factors may be depression, paranoid psychosis, confusion, exhaustion, and a strong psychological dependence. There are many undesired acute affects that may result in the consumption of cocaine, this includes increased heart rate/blood pressure/breathing, increased body temperature resulting in excessive sweating, vasoconstriction, insomnia, panic, erratic violent behavior, convulsions, seizures, hallucinations, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, heart failure, dysphoria, tiredness, irritability, and depression (Terminology and Information on Drugs). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2009, cocaine was involved in 422,896 emergency room visits out of the total …show more content…
Often, media fails to display appropriate results of drug usage, other than the expected “high”. The media also glorified not only cocaine, but all narcotic trafficking to a level of prestige. Interestingly enough, as stated above, the media in a symbolic way, showed both positive and negative reinforcement with the involvement of cocaine trafficking. Unfortunately, in American Gangster, the movie failed to show the negative effects of cocaine manufacturing processing, usage, and trafficking. In order for responsible consumption of cocaine, one must conduct research of potency of cocaine, how it is manufactured, the difference between powdered and crack cocaine, and it’s processing speed in the body depending on the type of consumption. Once this is understood, it is important to learn the side-affects, and the warning signs/undesired affects. Once these two important education factors are understood, then a person can make a responsible decision on consumption