Heroin, in smaller doses and in slightly different forms, may also be used for medicinal purposes.  Marketed under the name of diamorphine, this drug is used to provide pain relief when administered through IV or subcutaneous ways.(2)  Despite its medical use, heroin, when taken in large doses and used when not needed, could not only be addicting but could also result in eventual death because of overdose.  Some heroin users also show change in behavior that often lead to conflicts with their relationships.  Fortunately, there are drug and alcohol rehab centers to help patients cope with withdrawal symptoms for them to be able to kick the bad habit and stay clean.  The program comes in many different forms but normally includes detoxification, counseling, and group therapy.  One of the main objectives is to address the underlying cause and help build broken relationships.  Options include undergoing in-patient or out-patient treatment.(3)

Heroin-inspired creativity

Though heroin has detrimental effects to the body and to the mind, it cannot be denied that more than just a handful of the greatest personalities in popular culture were users of this illegal drug.  Some of the greatest works of literature, music, and art have been purported to have been made while in the throes of the drug and even after a person has quit using heroin for good with the help of rehabilitation.(4)

And though there are people who are too far gone into physical and mental decline due to drug abuse, there are those who recover and still contribute significantly to humanity.  Here are just a few of the famous personalities of our time who have gotten over their “bad” habits and started living again.

Robert Downey Jr. (actor)

In between his stints as America’s boy next door and comeback king of the moment, Robert Downey Jr. was a heroin user.  He did time in prison for a number of charges and went out of the limelight for a few years.  In recent years, however, he rebounded and once again graced the silverscreen with the hit movie “Iron Man” followed by his controversial and comedic take on an Australian actor playing an African-American soldier in the movie “Tropic Thunder.”  Yep, after heroin and all the other shenanigans, Robert Downey Jr. is definitely back.(5)

David Bowie (musician)

All those psychedelic explorations and unique sounds in his music could come from the real semi-lucid states when Bowie was under the influence of heroin.  Though heroin has been noted as a drug that can cause impairment and eventual death, it helped produce some of the finest and most creative musical pieces.  David Bowie then went on to have a very colorful career not only in music, but also in acting on movies and on stage.(6)

James Taylor (singer, songwriter)

Who would have thought that the romantic and love-themed crooning of singer/songwriter James Taylor were influenced by this drug.  Apparently, James Taylor was a habitual user even before he hit big time.  His substance abuse continued even during his peak years.  Though he found and lost professional contacts due to his erratic behavior when under the influence, it cannot be denied that he was a prolific songwriter who produced tunes that are well-loved even today.(7)

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (lawyer, politician)

The Kennedys were a force to reckon with in the 1960s.  Unfortunately, political struggles and the so-called Camelot curse put an end to their ideals.  The next Kennedys in line still held the spotlight, but for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., it was a different kind of publicity after he was caught with heroin in his bag while on a flight to Dakota in 1983.  The heroin user then turned his life around and now runs his own law firm.  Rober Kennedy, Jr. doesn’t seem to display the same ardent interests in politics as the earlier generations of this distinguished family did, but he is a staunch activist working to preserve and improve the environment.(8)

Irvine Welsh (author of Trainspotting)

The memorable ‘rite of passage’ movie “Trainspotting” moved audiences around the world with its shocking but poignant portrayal of the lives of a group of junkies in Scotland.  The movie was based on an equally spectacular novel written by Irvine Welsh, a writer who rose to the ranks as one the most highly creative novelists we have today.  Though Welsh admitted to only doing heroin for 18 months, he clearly had the will to get up and leave the experience behind, eventually penning novels that saw worldwide acclaim.(9)  Trainspotting wasn’t just fiction spun out of the blue but had elements that Irvine Welsh may have experienced during his days as a heroin user.  After a string of successful novels turned blockbusters, Welsh has sponsored charities in his native country, Scotland.

Jim Carroll (author of The Basketball Diaries)

One of the movies that propelled actor Leonardo Di Caprio to stardom is “The Basketball Diaries.” The movie is based on the biographical novel written by writer slash punk musician Jim Carroll.  Jim Carroll published some of the accounts of his teenage years in New York where his early life revolved around basketball, gangs, and drugs.(10)

William Burroughs (author of Junkie and The Naked Lunch)

William Burroughs was one of the most resounding voices of the Beat generation.  In his first novel entitled “Junkie,” he offered details of his life as a heroin dealer in Greenwich Village.  The lifestyle of heroin addicts was aptly described in the novel, shedding light to the seedy side of then puritanical America.  His other novel, the “Naked Lunch,” which was made into a movie, also tackled addiction to heroin and other controlled substances.(11)  Though Burroughs received acclaim through his writings and other works, heroin eventually caught up with him.  Still, Burroughs was able to live out his life till he turned 83.(12)

These are just some of the personalities who have been users of heroin.  While it may be argued that some of them produced their finest work while in the influence of the drug, it’s apparent that the effects of heroin come at a price on both the mind and the body.  However, one gets to thinking that there have been countless musicians, novelists, actors, and other personalities who have come up with their masterpieces without even using the drug.

Sources:

(1)  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/heroin/etc/history.html
(2)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin
(3)  http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-drug-rehab.htm
(4)  http://www.rehabtoday.com/articles/heroin-use-in-popular-culture.html
(5)  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/movies/20carr.html?_r=2&ref=movies&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin
(6)  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000309/bio
(7)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Taylor
(8)  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/18/48hours/main607225.shtml
(9)  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/authorinterviews/4321934/Irvine-Welsh-from-heroin-to-green-tea.html
(10)  http://www.artandpopularculture.com/The_Basketball_Diaries
(11)  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0123221/bio
(12)  http://www.opioids.com/heroin/william-s-burroughs.html

Early use of coca

The early Incans chewed the leaves of the coca plant for relaxation.  Its numbing effect was taken as a relaxant that gave them the feeling of release and contentment.  Chewing coca leaves had a stimulant effect on the Incans, renewing their zest and vigor at times.(1)

Food and beverage enhancement

Europeans eventually developed an interest in coca leaves.  However, bringing these back to Europe in leaf or plant form would not be possible; they would rot throughout the voyage.  Finally, in the 1800s, cocaine was extracted.  It eventually found its way into the food and beverages of Europeans and into the Mariani wine. This wine was even endorsed by Roman Catholic Pope, Leo XIII, for its restorative effects on drinkers.(2)  A world famous soda drink also had cocaine in its original recipe, but removed it in the later years.(3)

Medical uses of Cocaine

Medical practitioners eventually gained an interest in cocaine because of its curative effects observed in Latin America Indians.  It was initially used as an analgesic, numbing parts of the body and getting rid of the pain one felt.  It was also seen as a cure to alcoholism, which was then a prevailing problem in countries such as the US.(4)

When the pleasant effects of cocaine eventually wear off, users become addicted and afflicted with different kinds of maladies to the mind and body.  Eventually, it was banned and made illegal to import, make, sell, and use in the US in the early 1900s.(5)

Recreational use and subsequent addiction

Cocaine also had effects on the mind that many users find very appealing.  In order to experience that high, users need to take this illegal drug on a regular basis.  This eventually leads to addiction when users find that they cannot seem to feel any better if they stop taking cocaine.  Aside from affecting one’s mental capacities, the body also suffers depending on the form of the cocaine and how it is taken.  Through prolonged use and combination with other substances, one may develop respiratory, cardiovascular, and even nervous ailments that may cause impairment and even death.(6)  From famous celebrities to ordinary people, cocaine figures in many drug overdose incidents.  Continued use also results in behavioral changes that then causes riffs in relationships.  Cocaine users are also known to have troubles at work and making enough money because of their expensive vices.  Fortunately, through assisted or forced drug and alcohol rehabilitation, it does not always have to end this way.

Cocaine abuse and drug rehabilitation

Cocaine users do have a choice.  By seeking treatment in drug and alcohol rehab facilities, recovery could be within their grasp.  Aside from detoxification, patients will also undergo counseling or even join group therapies.  These will not only help them with the withdrawal symptoms, but they are also known to help them build their own self-esteem along with their broken relationships.  The success of drug and alcohol rehab not only lies on the patient but from support of family and friends as well.  Various treatments are available for in-patient or out-patient care.  Though full recovery could take time, taking a small step closer to this goal could make a huge difference.

Contrary to common perception, cocaine users still have a chance to make a better life by starting anew.  Listed below are some of the famous, self-confessed cocaine users who were able to make great contributions to human history.

Sigmund Freud

The father of psychoanalysis, Dr. Sigmund Freud, was an advocate of cocaine, citing its numbing effect suitable for use as an analgesic or as an anesthetic.  He even recommended cocaine to other doctors.(7)  However, he also wrote a number of in-depth treatises and papers about the so-called “magic drug” and its effects on the mind and spirit.  Though he first observed its effects on another individual (Ernest von Fleischl) later on, Dr. Freud came up with his own descriptions of the experience while under the influence.  Coccaine use, in the case of Freud, was part of his experimentation and in-depth study.  The curious doctor learned about its real effects after getting into the experience itself.  Still, it didn’t affect his genius, as he was able to come up with remarkable studies and conclusions to benefit even the future generations.(8)

Robin Williams

Academy Award winner Robin Williams is not only one of Hollywood’s top actors but also a self-confessed former cocaine addict.  Back in the late 70s, Williams got hooked to this illegal drug.  He once said that “Cocaine is God’s way of telling you, you’re making too much money.”  He used to snort cocaine with actor John Belushi and was said to be among the last people to see him alive.  Before he even got close to ruining his career and family, Williams was able to quit for good.  The birth of his boy and the demise of an old friend willed him do it.(9)  Though still flawed in many ways, Williams demonstrated that he had the will to overcome his bad habits.  In fact, he even got himself to an alcohol rehab center voluntarily and even issued a statement about being sober for 20 years and slowly drifting back to alcoholism.  Today, the Hollywood actor continues to reap awards for his film performances.(10)

Tim Allen

Before he tinkered with the power tools and had Pamela Anderson kickstart her career in his show, Tim Allen was a cocaine user.  He was caught in a buy-bust operation in 1978 but was eventually freed after he turned state witness.(10)  Tim Allen then went on to become a successful stand up comic, comedian-actor, and now has his own line of power tools.  He made a complete a turnaround.  As another household name, Allen was also known to use the comic approach to tell about his experiemces.  Obviously, he now has a more cheerful outlook in life.

Stephen King

Prolific writer Stephen King made many readers feel the shivers with his countless horror novels but he himself faced his own demons during the time he was a cocaine user.  Thankfully, friends and family saved him from the habit till he went on to write even more bestsellers.(11)  Today, King is no longer immersed in his bad habit but in his critically acclaimed works, writing more horror novels for his awaiting fans worldwide.  He is also one of the most prolific authors in the fiction world today, reportedly writing every day even during Christmas.

Robert Louis Stevenson

The case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was a testament to the innate evil in everyone.  The book’s author, Robert Louis Stevenson, also confronted his own cocaine-induced demons in his time.  Stevenson  was a sickly man; cocaine and other drugs were probably prescribed to him to ease pain and discomfort till they turned into vices.(12)  Robert Louis Stevenson could have seen himself in the characters he made.  There’s the good and bad side.  But nearing the end of his life, the distant author then learned to enjoy the company of friends and other people, finally defeating his own demons.

Like any other recreational drug, the intake of cocaine could inspire creativity but with prolonged use can also result in one’s own demise.  Before this happens, cocaine users could go for complete turn around, save broken relationships, and start a new life with the help of drug and alcohol rehab.  Perhaps they could even make their own contributions and be part of a list similar to this one after several years.

Sources:

(1)  http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/economicbotany/Erythroxylum/
(2)  http://www.cocanaturally.com/
(3)  http://therapistunlimited.com/rehabs/Articles/Drug+Abuse/A+Brief+History+of+Cocaine/
(4)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine
(5)  http://www.substanceabuse105.com/cocaineabuse.php
(6)  http://therapistunlimited.com/rehabs/Articles/Drug+Abuse/A+Brief+History+of+Cocaine/
(7)  http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/economicbotany/Erythroxylum/
(8)  http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/19106
(9)  http://www.nndb.com/people/606/000022540/
(10)  http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2515796
(11)  http://www.nndb.com/people/279/000025204/
(12)  http://www.theage.com.au/news/books/a-sad-face-behind-the-scary-mask/2006/11/23/1163871548220.html?page=4
(13)  http://www.veryimportantpotheads.com/site/rlstevenson.htm