Q. I’m afraid that my grandson may be using cocaine. Is there any way I can tell for sure? And how dangerous is this drug?

Many of us are grandparents who worry about the drug culture of our grandchildren. We also wonder if there’s anything we can do to prevent youths from getting into a drug habit.

The first step we can take is to educate ourselves.

Cocaine, the strongest natural stimulant, is an addictive drug. You can be hooked with a single use. It causes a short-lived high that is immediately followed by depression, edginess and a craving for more of the drug. Cocaine interferes with the way your brain creates feelings of pleasure, so you need more of the drug to feel normal.

Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant. It is a drug that comes in the form of a white powder that is snorted. It can be converted to a liquid form for injection. Crack is cocaine processed into a crystal form for smoking. Crack, also called “rock,” looks like small chunks of soap.

Cocaine, in any form, is illegal. It is the most frequently mentioned illicit substance reported to the Drug Abuse Warning Network by hospital emergency departments throughout the nation.

Cocaine is lethal. It can cause strokes, heart attacks and respiratory failure. In addition, it can cause irregular heartbeat, depression, violent actions and loss of sexual function.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the following are the signs that someone may be addicted to cocaine:

Periods of severe depression

Weight loss

Decline in personal hygiene or appearance

Constant runny nose

Frequent upper respiratory infections

Changes in sleep patterns

Loss of interest in friends, family, and social activities

Loss of interest in food, sex, or other pleasures

Hearing voices when nobody has spoken, or feeling paranoid

Expressing more anger, becoming more impatient or nervous

Hallucinations

Here are some more signs that I collected from other sources:

Frequently need for money

Intense euphoria

Bloodshot eyes

Dilated pupils

Hyper-alertness

Panic

Seizures from high doses

The presence of any unexplained white powder

Small spoons, mirrors, razor blades and rolled paper money used for snorting

Small bottles with screw-top lids and small plastic packets for storing

Increase in body temperature, respiration and pulse

Grinding of teeth

Obsessive touching or picking at various objects and parts of the body

Repetitive dismantling of mechanical objects

There are many slang terms for cocaine. Here are just some: big C, blanco, blow, blast, Bolivian, Charlie, coke, Columbian, girl, heaven, happy powder, Mama Coca, mojo, nose candy, Peruvian, pimp, she, sniff, snort, snow, toot, trails, white lady, stardust.

Cocaine was first used in the 19th century in surgery as an anesthetic and to reduce bleeding. It constricts blood vessels. Safer drugs came along to replace it.

According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 33.7 million Americans over the age of 12 reported trying cocaine at least once. Among students surveyed, 3.7 percent of eighth graders, 5.2 percent of 10th graders, and 8 percent of 12th graders reported using cocaine at least once.

In 1970, Congress classified cocaine as a Schedule II substance, which means it may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

For referral to treatment programs in your area, call the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Helpline and Treatment line: 800-234-0420.

Have a question? Email: fred@healthygeezer.com

Order “How To Be A Healthy Geezer,” 218-page compilation of columns: healthygeezer.com

All Rights Reserved

&Copy; 2015 Fred Cicetti