Benefits of the cognitive-behavioral approach to cocaine addiction

Cocaine is a substance whose consumption produces a very powerful physical, psychological and social wear on those who fall into a dynamic of dependency and drug addiction. It is not just that the entry into the body of this drug causes damage to the body; In addition, it makes the person internalize a series of habits and behavior patterns that make the problem is getting bigger and bigger, making the use of cocaine become the main incentive offered by the day to day.

Luckily, from psychology there are several tools that allow us to overcome addiction, and among them, cognitive-behavioral therapy stands out. In this article we will see how psychological intervention based on the cognitive-behavioral approach is used in the face of cocaine addiction.

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Characteristics of cocaine addiction

Among the hard drugs of illegal use, cocaine is the most consumed worldwide. This is in part because, despite being marketed clandestinely, its consumption is relatively frequent

not only in lower classes but also in middle and upper classes, and furthermore, it is not only used in leisure contexts and party nights, but it is also consumed in contexts linked to work and professional activity in general (due to its stimulants). On the other hand, contrary to what happens with cannabis, it has a base of habitual users that is not reduced almost exclusively to young people.

But the fact that it is such a popular drug does not mean, far from it, that its harmful effects on the body and on behavior are insignificant. This substance crosses the blood-brain barrier after circulating through the bloodstream and, from there, it passes to the central nervous system.

There It mainly affects the neurons of the ventral tegmental area and, from there, it greatly influences the nucleus accumbens., a part of the brain that is part of the so-called reward system, which is capable of generating the experience of gratification that leads us to want to repeat certain actions to relive the pleasant consequences that produce. Specifically, cocaine causes, while it is present in the body, the neuron cells of the nucleus accumbens are more exposed to dopamine, a neurotransmitter known to enhance the activation of the brain.

But this is not the only way in which cocaine alters the functioning of the body, and the different ramifications of the "effect dominoes" that produces the entry of the drug into the body are very varied and complex, and are unique depending on the person from whom they are taken. try. Thus, this drug has multiple “side effects”; some of them are relatively common in all people who take it, and others are unexpected.

Commonly occurring symptoms and harmful effects of cocaine use include the following:

• Acceleration of the pulse.
• Irritability.
• Increased body temperature.
• Increased sensitivity to light.
• Tremors.
• Increased tendency to impulsivity.
• Paranoid thoughts.
• Increase in behaviors associated with extraversion and the desire to socialize.

cocaine intoxication It can generate from erratic and uncontrolled behaviors in relatively mild cases, to death due to cardiac arrest in the most serious cases.

In addition to this, cocaine damages the digestive system if taken orally, and the respiratory system if smoked or inhaled.

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This is the cognitive-behavioral approach in the treatment of cocaine addiction

The cognitive-behavioral approach is based on the idea that in order to promote changes for the better in people's quality of life, it is important act both in their way of interacting with their environment through observable actions, and in their way of managing their internal psychological processes. In other words, cognitive-behavioral therapy acts through two main ways: modifying ways of behave objectively, and changing ways of interpreting the world, holding beliefs and ideas, and managing emotions.

The main characteristics of this kind of therapy used for patients addicted to cocaine are the following.

1. psychoeducation

Especially in the initial phase of cognitive-behavioral therapy, it is common to carry out psychoeducation, explaining in a didactic way everything there is to know about the disorder suffered. This is important so that the patient understands all the implications of what is happening to him, and that he knows that he can turn the page.

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2. Detection of problematic behavior patterns

To deal with the problem of cocaine addiction, you have to understand its fundamental parts, and know how to distinguish them in everyday life to quickly recognize them when they occur. Much of these psychological elements that "feed" the addiction and keep it going are ways of relating to others and relating to the environment.

In this part of the therapy, the patient is helped to reflect on her life and to recognize certain routines and habits as problematic, such as maintaining always a stash of drugs in the drawer of the desk where he works, or keeping an expired credit card in his wallet just to get lines of cocaine.

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3. Detection of problematic internal psychological processes

These can be divided into two groups: beliefs that reinforce the presence of addiction in the daily life of the patient, and thoughts and emotions that trigger cocaine use at the time they emerge into consciousness (or that increase the risk of relapses).

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4. Help the patient improve their self-esteem and self-efficacy

Strengthen the patient's ability to respect himself and value his achievements it is essential for him to get involved in the process and not give up, as well as for him to feel the satisfaction of the goals achieved and these serve as a motivating element (otherwise, I would attribute these achievements to luck or the influence of others). For this reason, in psychotherapy strategies are applied to reinforce self-esteem and self-efficacy, the latter being the ability to have a realistic notion of what oneself can achieve. get.

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5. Create a routine plan with non-drug incentives

On the other hand, in cognitive-behavioral therapy, a personalized plan of new routines and habits is created, which allows the patient to have new sources of satisfaction and motivation not only outside of cocaine use, but also outside of the social contexts in which everything revolves around the drug.

6. Emotion management support

During the process of leaving cocaine behind and facing a new way of living, it is normal for new fears, a feeling of guilt for looking back on the life of lack of control that has been led, etc. For this reason, psychologists help patients properly manage these feelings and emotions, without letting them become obstacles and increase the risk of relapse.

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7. Support for the establishment of personal relationships

Relationships or others are a fundamental dimension to overcome addictions. If the person feels very alone, he will be much more exposed to the possibility of relapse. And in the same way, many people have a hard time trying to make friends or find a partner because they don't know what and how to explain about their lives with drug use.

Looking for drug addiction treatment?

If you are currently looking for treatment options for addiction to cocaine or other drugs, contact our team of health professionals.

On Llaurant la Llum We work from medicine and from psychotherapy to accompany all patients through all stages of overcoming addictive disorders, from detoxification to rehabilitation and reinsertion. In addition, we offer the possibility of residential treatment in short or long stay programs in our fully equipped facilities. You will find us in Picassent, Valencia.