The main health long-term implications
of powder cocaine use are that it puts a lot of strain on
the heart and circulatory system and the cumulative effects
of long term use can lead to increases in strokes and heart
attacks.
When combined with alcohol, cocaine and
ethanol combine in the liver to produce a third psychoactive
compound, coca-ethylene, which is hard for the liver to
process and can lead to higher levels of cardiovascular and
hepatic toxicity.
In the shorter term, cocaine use can
lead to depletion of dopamine post-use, leading to an
increased desire to take more, and low feelings where this
doesn't happen.
