Author: Brielle Katz

When people talk about hitting the slopes, 95% of people think of an enjoyable winter activity. However, this phrase has a more sinister and secretive meaning behind it. It refers to the usage of cocaine, which is also known as snow, coke, blow, and an infinite amount of other street names. Its allure lies in its high potency, euphoric feelings, and ability to heighten confidence that can almost completely transform one’s personality. Cocaine is highly addictive, not because of a specific chemical component in the drug’s makeup, but because of its overall reaction and Impact on the brain’s chemistry. It increases dopamine levels, which are an essential part of the brain’s reward response system. The stimulant has become extremely glamorized within society due to its common usage amongst celebrities and those with high social status who often have an abundance of power and wealth. Some popular public figures who abused the substance are Turney Duff, Whitney Houston and Drew Barrymore. There is a profound amount of information on cocaine as it has been around since the late 19th century when the properties of the coca plants were first discovered. This article will contain data from multiple sources, including scholarly/peer-reviewed articles, journals, news stories and film reviews. This piece aims to answer two pressing questions. What exactly is it that draws people to this powdery substance, and why has Its usage uprooted so many lives? My intent is not only to answer these questions but also to supply insight and profound understanding by exploring scientific research, major incidents, and personal accounts.

Derived from the leaf of the Erythroxylon Coca plant, cocaine hydrochloride is a naturally occurring alkaloid. When it was first discovered in South America in the mid-1800s, doctors used the substance to assist in pain relief of the sinus and teeth, as well as to control bleeding during minor nasal surgeries. In the late 1800s, cocaine usage expanded its reach from the medical field into the beverage industry, where it was used to flavour the popular drink Coca-Cola. During that time period, the substance was considered safe. Only in the early 1900s, when its neuro effects were discovered, did the beverage brand make the switch to only using the extracts of the coca leaves that did not contain stimulating properties. Not too long after 1911 in Canada and 1914 in the United States, cocaine possession and usage became illegal. Despite still being prohibited, in 2019, the Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction reported that cocaine use among youth (age 20-24) increased from 3.3% in 2013 to a startling 6.2% in 2017.

The short-lived high that cocaine provides leaves the user chasing that euphoric dopamine rush and begging for more. Comedian George Carlin stated, “Eventually, alas, I realized the main purpose of buying cocaine is to run out of it.” The chosen method of ingestion can result in a wide variety of intensities and lengths of the high. The most popular method that this article will focus on is intranasal use, meaning the user will snort a line of cocaine in its powder form. It is then absorbed through the tissues in the nasal pathways. This method results in a 15-to-30-minute high that is less intense than smoking crack cocaine, the crystallized form. When absorbed, cocaine mimics the firing of dopamine by blocking the DAT. The DAT is the dopamine transporter in the brain. When this transporter is blocked, there is an influx of pleasure-focused neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine that build up and produce the short-term effects of cocaine. The effects of the high can range from euphoric sensations to heightened sociability. There is also the chance of experiencing a negative high that can lead to intense panic or paranoia. Effects will vary depending on the person, delivery method and dosage. Its rapid high and quick comedown add to its addictive nature by driving users to increase their dose and frequency. There are multiple short-term physiological and mental risks, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, and violent behaviour. Immediate medical complications can also ensue, such as fatal changes to the heart rhythm, slipping into a coma, seizures, and the possibility of a stroke. These more serious effects can occur due to an overdose.

The long-term effects of abusing this substance can pose just as much danger as the short-term effects. Your body may become dependent on the drug. When cocaine dependency is developed, the body has physiologically adapted to having these chemicals interact with the neuro pathways. Anytime the drug is not present in the system, it craves it and creates symptoms of withdrawal such as depression, anxiety, difficulty feeling pleasure, slower reaction time, excessive sleeping or insomnia, and extreme levels of irritability. The previous list, which is already concerning enough, only covers symptoms of withdrawals that, with the right help and recovery, can disappear. Other long-term effects can stay with you for life. The loss of smell and frequent nosebleeds fall very low on the seriousness spectrum of long-term effects. The brain can undergo irreversible damage from repeated cocaine use: Damage to blood vessels in and around the brain, Parkinson’s disease, impaired neurological functions, and psychomotor performance. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems may also stop functioning properly with the increased risk of tumours, infections, and fluid build-up, which can all lead to sudden and unexpected death.

From Hollywood to Wall Street, high-status individuals have hidden behind the glamorous façade of the elite for many years. Known as “the caviar of street drugs” and “champagne of drugs.” cocaine is one of the most popular drugs among this group because of its effects. Constantly being in the public eye, having demanding schedules and trying to fit in with industry norms, cocaine’s boost of confidence and instant energy can become especially appealing. Countless of these individuals have succumbed to these alluring traits and have grappled with cocaine addiction, some living on to share their experiences and others losing their battle with substance abuse.

 Drew Barrymore rose to fame at the young age of seven when she scored a starring role in Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning movie “E.T.” By the age of 12, Drew had fallen victim to the “party girl” lifestyle that went hand in hand with fame and had snorted her first line of cocaine. Her addiction became so bad that she entered a vicious cycle and ultimately tried to take her own life at the age of 14. After her suicide attempt, the young actress was admitted to a mental institution where she underwent rehabilitation for alcohol abuse and drug addiction. Drew Barrymore speaks less about her actual experiences while using cocaine and more about how amazing her life turned out after rehab and becoming sober. In an interview with The Sun, the actress said, “I don’t know how I ended up here, but I will never lose sight of how lucky I am.” 

Another popular Icon was not so lucky as she did not recover from her cocaine addiction and unfortunately passed away due to an “accidental” drowning at the age of 48. This star was Whitney Houston. In 2012, the six-time Grammy-winning singer was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel bathtub, and upon further investigation, it was confirmed that there was cocaine in her system. Due to her long-term relationship with the drug, she developed a heart disease, which ultimately contributed to her death. Houston’s former husband, Bobby Brown, revealed that he first witnessed Whitney snorting a line of cocaine right before she walked down the aisle at their wedding. The pop star turned to drugs in her early 20s as an attempt to rebel against the growing pressure to be perfect as her fame skyrocketed. As we can see, the weight of fame and fortune seems to be a common theme in kick-starting cocaine addiction.

Over in New York, the blame for the global financial crisis of 2008 has been speculated to fall on Wall Street’s bankers and their magnitude of cocaine use. A particularly interesting account is that of Turney Duff. Duff is a former Wall Street trader with the Galleon group who, in 2013, published a book titled “The Buy Side: A Wall Street Trader’s Tale of Spectacular Excess.” His career was headed in exactly the right direction until he ingested his first line of cocaine. What started as a way to stay awake at night to work gruelling hours quickly turned into a raging addiction that resulted in both questionable financial and life decisions. His work life began to crumble just as fast as his personal life did. Due to lacking attention to detail, Duff had a seven-figure trading loss that resulted in his firm losing millions of dollars. His downfall did not stop there. In 2009, he continued to lose thousands of dollars in both personal and professional finances. His biggest draw to cocaine was its ability to numb his emotions and allow him to escape his thoughts. This escape route ended up causing him to lose his sensible decision-making skills, his house, his job, and his relationship with his daughter. In his words, “The truth of the matter is that I didn’t lose anything — I gave it all away.” His sobriety journey has been long yet worthwhile and Turney Duff is a public advocate for sobriety who spreads information on the risk over reward dilemma of being a frequent cocaine user. In a 2021 Twitter post, he stated, “My twelve years of sobriety started way before I ever got sober. So, no matter where you are on your journey. You still have a chance. Thank you to everyone who’s helped, loved, and supported me.” 

These different stories and experiences from those with the power to influence provide us with a large scope of information on how cocaine addiction can affect your whole life. Drew Barrymore experienced the destructive characteristics of cocaine at a shockingly young age but was able to rebuild her life and career. Whitney Houston was a victim of the most extreme consequence of cocaine, which is death. Lastly, Turney Duff jeopardized his personal relationships and his firm’s financial success, and he is still trying to put his life back together 12 years later. These narratives are powerful reminders that cocaine addiction can destroy the lives of even the most wealthy and powerful, so who’s to say it will not do the same to simple people like ourselves?

Through analyzing reports, reviewing articles, and reading personal accounts, this article has investigated the dark path of cocaine addiction. Over time, cocaine went from functioning as a common pain reliever in medicinal practice to a glamorized party drug that can have devastating consequences. There are – key takeaways from this investigation. Its glorified ability to boost confidence and energy levels is what draws users to the drug, but it is the chemical reaction with our brain’s reward system that keeps you hooked. Once addicted to the drug, it is extremely hard not only to physically and mentally recover but also to rebuild your life. In most cases, with the right rehabilitation and support, there is a high chance of recovery, but it is important to remember some consequences of cocaine may result in permanent damage before you get the chance to seek help.

Not everyone can be a celebrity with millions of followers, an enormous influence, and the power to spread global awareness about the effects of cocaine addiction. Something that everyone can be, is aware. Be observant of those around you and be mindful of signs of cocaine addiction. If somebody comes to you for help, help them. Be a support system instead of shaming them for their decisions. It is imperative to foster a community where those struggling with cocaine addiction feel comfortable to come forward in, as the right support may just save someone’s life.