A couple of people at my school have lost a lot of weight recently. Somebody said it was because they are doing cocaine. Is that really why? How would that cause that. It seems like they lost 10 or 20 pounds one week! I didn't know that was possible!

Also, I'm not very good friends with them, but I was wondering if I could help them somehow. Any suggestions?

If they lost weight it's because they were too stoned to eat, aside from having the jitters associated with this drug.

In plain English, this is is how cocaine works: cocaine concentrates the blood into a much smaller space than usual [constricts peripheral blood flow], and increases the speed at which it [blood] moves through this smaller space. Hyperventilation also occurs.

When you breathe very fast [hyperventilate] your lungs' ability to take up oxygen into the blood actually decreases significantly. To make things worse, since cocaine damages the mucous membrane lining of the nose, lungs, etc.*, this means that the body is even less able to get oxygen into the blood.

Result: Too little oxygen - you die; too much blood pressure in the brain or heart - you die. This is not a joke; even first-time users can, and do, die.

The best help you can give your friends is to encourage them to seek treatment.

* That's why the blood-shot eyes, nose bleeds and coughing up blood.

Char15c~
It could possibly be cocaine, but they might just be trying to lose weight. If they are trying to lose weight, the way they are doing it isn't healthy. Whatever you do, don't just walk up to them and ask "Are you doing cocaine? I want to help!" And certainly don't try cocaine yourself. Try to find out if they thought of themselves as overweight before-hand. That might give your an answer. Just don't jump to conclusions.
~Emily and her friend, Julie

It could very well be the sad results of cocaine.

1)Cocaine=no appetite

2)no appetite=unhealthy weight loss

Sad but true, but then again most hard drugs cause you to lose your appetite, thus causing you to loose weight...I know from my cousin experiences. Take care!

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif~Ash