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Addiction to Drugs/cocaine use and effects

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Expert: Veronica C. Yost - 3/25/2009


Question
My son is addicted to Cocaine and has been for a few years now.  He has asked to be placed in rehab which we are pursuing however we went for a physical and found that he had an abnormal EKG with increased triglycerides as well as some questionable mild hypokinesis of the mid septum and trace tricuspid regurgitation and trace pulmonic insufficiency on his echocardiogram.  Can you tell me if this is related to the cocaine abuse.  Also what to expect in a 30 to 45 day rehab.  thank you

Answer
Hello Mattie,
 Drug abuse can cause many problems with the heart.  Hopefully the doctor explained this EKG to you.  People who do abuse drugs run the risk of a whole host of problems that can/will come up later.  I am not a physician (and you should discuss with him/her) but I found that Increased Triglyceries occur from the liver and can be associated to cocaine.  Mild hypokinesis is also associated with cocaine use.  Mid septum is also associated with cocaine.  Trace tricuspid regurgitation is also associated with cocaine.  Trace pulmonic insufficiency is associated with cocaine/crack.  
 So MY answer is yes.  What I found is he has develop some coronary, pulmonary and ?nasal damage.  Depending on the length of use and his age will have everything to do with his recovery.  I developed a fatal lung disease and after more than 2 years has started healing itself.  Keep my fingers crossed that your son will heal and move forward.
 Rehab is great and I am glad to hear he is going.  The staff at the facility will give you more information about what to expect.  He should get some meds to help him get off cocaine.  Without it coming down from cocaine can cause strokes or heart attacks.  His personality should be close to the "old" personality.  When he gets out it will be very hard for him to fight the urge to get high.  This can last as long as 2 years.  I know that you'll be happy to see him transform into the son you once knew.  He should start looking and feeling a lot better.

 Hope this helped a little.  God Bless!




Thanks Mattie for the nice feedback.  I will say a prayer for your son and the rest of the family.

Addiction to Drugs

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Veronica C. Yost

Expertise

I will NOT provide information on how to PASS A DRUG TEST SO DO NOT ASK ME!! I can provide information regarding crack addiction, drug user life style, why they do what they do, visual differences between crack and crystal meth, what effects crack has on the body (long term), what crack looks like, what to expect when someone stops/starts using, effects after drug use has stopped, how long it REALLY takes to recover, what family members can expect of their loved one during drug use and recovery process, why recovering addicts sometimes turn to alcohol or pot, how to talk to your children about this drug before they ever touch it. I won't answer obvious questions about how to make or use crack. I won't describe how to make crack pipes but I will help a parents, guardians or family members identify a pipe, paraphernalia and the drug itself. Since pipes can be very sneaky looking and sometimes without a smell I will answer those questions also.

Experience

I spent many years addicted to drugs and have been clean and sober since 2007. I had a $1000 a day habit and spent over $70,000 in one year on crack. Coming off drugs and alcohol was the most difficult thing I have ever done. I also feel extremely blessed in that it was a drug dealer that actually started me on the road to recovery. It is a daily battle that never goes away. Only 3% of the drug population that quit crack (without rehab) actually stays off the drug. I have been clean for more than 4 years. I believe everyone is different regarding treatment and if possible should consult a physician.

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My life is my experience.

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