Effects of crack on infants

Neuroscience by Stanwood et al. Prenatal exposure to cocaine is known to cause a range of cognitive impairments ranging from attention deficits to severe emotional problems to mental retardation. However the precise way that cocaine abuse disrupted proper cognitive development was unclear. Stanwood et al reported that prenatal cocaine exposure in pregnant rabbits caused a long-lasting disruption of D1 dopamine receptors. Though this effect has not yet been assessed in cocaine-exposed children, the findings give researchers a place to start looking.

Incredibly high levels of cocaine -- usually coupled with the abuse of other drugs -- can lead to premature labor, preterm birth and low birth weight, Stanwood said. Women taking the substance are no longer just affecting themselves, but their child too.

This makes it all the more important to avoid the drug and try to seek treatment. The crack baby syndrome occurs when the mother is regularly smoking the substance while pregnant. Smoking cocaine while pregnant can have dire effects on a child. Children born under the influence of the substance are known as crack babies.

Crack babies are often born with several issues. The effects of crack on babies mean they sometimes suffer from lower birth weight and many other physical and psychological symptoms. Those born with crack baby syndrome also tend to struggle with a susceptibility to the drug themselves. Babies addicted to cocaine often suffer from crack withdrawal in the earliest stages of their life, and even if they can overcome withdrawal, they tend to go back to the drug in later life.

Crack use during pregnancy is not only dangerous to the child but also to the woman using. As well as all the normal dangers of taking the drug, which are considerable, there are also other dangers related to pregnancy. The drug use during pregnancy also enhances a lot of the other effects of the drug. The chemical reactions that take place in the body during pregnancy often do not react well to the substance.

That is why it is increasingly important to avoid any form of cocaine while with a child. Due to the unregulated nature of rock cocaine, an overdose can occur the first time a user takes a dose of the drug.

Crack overdose occurs when the drug or a mixture of substances act on the body in a way that causes adverse reactions with the potential to lead to death. Because rock cocaine is often used in conjunction with other substances, there are multiple ways it can occur, such as general toxicity from taking too much of the drug or a heart attack from using too many stimulants at once. While some intentionally overdose on cocaine, usually overdoses are unintentional.

As such, users should know the causes of taking too much of the drug and overdosing, as this should make it easier for them to avoid such a situation between now and when they enter treatment for their addiction. Many users believe that once they have been using the drug long enough, they are experts and know how much can cause crack overdose, keeping themselves below that limit.

However, because the drug is not produced in controlled environments, there is no way for the user to know the lethal dose. The best way to prevent an overdose from occurring is to spot the signs of crack abuse and get them help. However, should the user not get off cocaine before an overdose occurs, the following symptoms indicate immediate medical attention is required.

Should any signs of an overdose be observed, emergency medical services should be contacted. Do not attempt to treat an overdose by Googling detox guides.

The only way to prevent an overdose and these effects or stop them from worsening is to cease using rock cocaine. The effects of crack on the body are severe and even deadly. Ultimately, the high the drug delivers is not worth the lowered quality of life it guarantees. Please leave this field empty. Written By.

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