AN ADDICT'S STORY

Cocaine addiction is one of the most powerful drug addictions.  Only an addict can adequately describe it.  What follows is from an article that appeared in an issue of U.S. News and World Report:

"I was really obsessive about cocaine, addicted to it.  I stuttered, didn't eat, never slept.  I had to snort probably every ten minutes.

Then I met this guy who used a needle, and I started "shooting" cocaine.  It was totally different, an instant rush.  It makes you crazy.  You go on three and four day binges.  I was cooking up "hits" every 30 minutes… However much coke you have, you use it…

I got to the point where I sold my furniture.  I sold the jewelry I inherited from my grandmother.  I sold my car, my stereo.  In the last year I spent $100,000 on drugs, $80,000 in six months… (She was finally forced into treatment by her family.)

I haven't done coke now for 18 months.  I don't think I have to fight the cocaine, but I haven't been around it… I don't have cravings, but I sure would be scared to be around coke.  I think that if it were right here with a syringe, I'd do it.  I know I would."

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