Many people have heard the term “8 ball of cocaine,” but what exactly is it? Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that is frequently abused for the increased confidence, enhanced alertness, and well-being it provides. It is one of the world’s most harmful illegal drugs. Addiction to cocaine and the consequences it has on the brain, heart, and overall body are detrimental. People addicted to cocaine frequently require cocaine rehab to get clean and heal physically.
This article will explain what an 8-ball of cocaine is, its effects, where it came from, the cost, and the effects of cocaine addiction.
Where Does Cocaine Come From?
Cocaine is an extremely addictive stimulant drug that has been used for thousands of years in South America. People have traditionally ingested coca leaves (Erythroxylon coca), the source of cocaine, for their stimulant effects. In the early 1900s, the purified chemical form of cocaine hydrochloride was extracted from the plant. Before synthetic local anesthetics were developed, it was a primary ingredient in tonics, elixirs, and pain blockers for surgeries. Other names for cocaine include:
Effects of Heavy, Long-Term Cocaine Abuse
The side effects of getting trapped in a strong cocaine addiction, sometimes noticeable when an individual uses a lot of the drug, called an “eight-ball,” are not just about the immediate problems. If someone keeps using a lot of cocaine for a long time, it can seriously damage their body and mind. This can lead to many serious health issues that worsen over time. These issues include:
- Psychosis
- Nasal or septum damage
- Brain damage
- Liver damage
- Heart issues
- Lung damage
- Mood disorders
- Cocaine overdose
What is an 8 Ball of Cocaine?
An eight-ball of cocaine is approximately 3.5 grams of cocaine, equivalent to 1,800 milligrams or an eighth of an ounce. The quantity is named after a traditional pool game in which an 8-ball is the main game piece. Although many individuals ask where the phrase came from, drug dealers and addicts often refer to substances as nicknames to keep away from legal consequences and conceal their drug use from others. It’s safe to say that individuals, therefore, refer to 3.5 grams of drugs as “8 balls” to avoid confusion.
Is an 8 Ball of Cocaine A Lot?
An 8 ball of cocaine is a substantial quantity of the drug. It might be acquired to maintain a large quantity of the drug for long-term administration or for multiple people to use at once. Although rare, there have been reports of a single person consuming this much cocaine in one day. Such high doses of cocaine can negatively affect a patient’s health and well-being. Furthermore, large quantities of cocaine substantially boost a person’s chance of overdose.
How Much Does An 8 Ball Of Cocaine Cost?
The average cost of an 8-ball of cocaine (3.5 grams or 1/8th of an ounce) is around $150 and $350. Some studies have reported that higher quality cocaine with fewer additives can cost around $350 to $560. In 2016, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that the cost of cocaine ranged from approximately $100 to $160 per gram.
Effects of an 8 Ball of Cocaine
Using an 8 ball of cocaine, whether you’re a first-timer or have a high tolerance, can be fatal. Cocaine is an addictive substance that can be inhaled, smoked, or injected. Its effects on the brain result in a surge of elation, vigor, and other side effects such as:
- Paranoia
- Rapid heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Muscle tremors
- Hallucinations
- Risk-taking
- Heart attack
What Happens if You Get Caught With an 8 Ball of Cocaine?
It is a federal offense to possess cocaine for personal use in the United States, regardless of its form. For example, suppose you are caught in violation of the law. In that case, you may face a life-long criminal record and financial penalties, including arrest, jail time, driver’s license suspension, court fines, rehabilitation classes, and imprisonment.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) categorizes cocaine as a Schedule II illicit drug. Despite its euphoric and addictive qualities, cocaine is a stimulant narcotic that the DEA has classified as a Schedule II narcotic. The penalties for possession and distribution of Schedule II controlled substances vary by state, and most of them depend on the amount of the substance within an individual’s possession at the time of arrest. Because an 8 ball refers to an eighth of an ounce, a large amount, penalties handed down by law enforcement for being in possession of an 8 ball of cocaine will be severe.
Understanding Cocaine Use and Addiction
Recognizing a cocaine addiction can be challenging, especially if you haven’t experienced it yourself. Having intense cravings for the drug and not caring about its negative side effects are signs that someone is addicted. Even though you can see physical signs of addiction, the mental part of it is usually the hardest. If an individual uses cocaine often, they’ll start relying on it to feel normal. When they stop using it, they’ll have withdrawal symptoms.
Taking cocaine even just once can lead to addiction in many people. It affects brain chemistry by altering the reward pathway immediately. By affecting the level of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter that increases mood, pleasure, and excitement, from being recycled, it creates intense pleasure by lingering in the brain. This leads to exhaustion, mood swings, and other early withdrawal symptoms due to cocaine wearing off and dopamine being absorbed. The person may take a second dose of cocaine as a way to avoid these symptoms.
Who is Most At Risk For Developing Cocaine Addiction?
Addiction has recently been defined as a substance use disorder, with medical professionals and researchers agreeing that addiction is a medical condition. In light of this realization, certain risk factors may predispose an individual to substance abuse. Although you may have these risk factors, you may still be able to avoid becoming addicted. These risk factors include the individual’s genetics, their environment, if they are experiencing any mental illness, and their age at the time of the first drug exposure.
Genetics
A family history of addiction can increase the risk of developing an addiction in one’s own life. Even if a specific gene might predispose someone to substance use, proper prevention can keep individuals healthy and aware. Furthermore, if a parent or relative has a substance abuse problem, other family members are at risk of developing an addiction. If conversations about the dangers of substance use are not had, substance use exposure may increase risk factors, especially in early-stage family members.
Environment
Those who have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused or traumatized are more likely to become addicted to substances. Others who have friends who consume, or those who are exposed to peer pressure, might also be at a higher risk. Addictive substances, such as drugs and alcohol depicted on television and in music, can lead to substance use disorders if people can access them. In other words, the more frequently drugs and alcohol are normalized in your life, the less dangerous and threatening they seem to you.
Mental Illness
People with mental health issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are more likely to develop substance abuse issues to deal with the emotions and anxieties they cause. If you have one of these mental health issues and wish to cure your addiction, you should seek out a therapist who can help you handle and deal with it healthily.
Age at Time of First Exposure
A large number of children and young adults are addicted to substances and alcohol as a result of being exposed to them early in their lives. Even though a difficult phase in life can negatively impact many young people, not all of them will develop an addiction. Those who do develop an addiction can receive treatment.
Oasis Recovery is Here for You
An individual with a cocaine addiction must be treated for the psychological reliance on the drug and the substance abuse itself. For example, group and individual sessions at Oasis Recovery Center are designed to address the underlying causes of cocaine addiction—what triggers substance abuse, and how can a person stop it?
Behavioral-cognitive therapies and 12-step facilitation are effective in helping individuals overcome cocaine addiction. Clients learn how to substitute cravings with healthier alternatives through these programs. In addition, they can also establish supportive relationships that will help them maintain sobriety through long-term, intensive addiction treatment.
To learn more about how we could help you or a loved one who is struggling with cocaine addiction, contact the professionals at Oasis Recovery today. Our specialists are highly trained in treating addictions at any stage and are here to help you. Do not wait any longer. Make the decision and take back your life.
