Sports heroes, executives, and the homeless—cocaine permeates every inch of our society, with tragic results. Although casual use of cocaine has clearly declined, the number of daily users, in particular those using crack, continues to climb. Why do people continue to use cocaine? What is its appeal? How does it affect the body and mind? What can a person do if a family member or friend is using cocaine?

In the past decade, the introduction of crack has increased the popularity of cocaine. Treatments have changed to adapt to this new, cheaper, more widely available drug. This Second Edition of Cocaine—by three noted psychiatrists from Harvard University and the University of Utah—highlights the tremendous research effort that has been mounted to discover the most effective way to help cocaine-dependent patients. It covers what cocaine is, the different methods of its use, its effects on the brain and other organs, and its psychological and social consequences for users and those around them—both at home and in the workplace. This book also covers cocaine addiction—how it happens, who is at risk, how to treat it, and how to find help. Cocaine includes a list of commonly asked questions about the drug and a self-test to determine if you or someone you love is dependent on cocaine.