Understanding Cocaine Addiction

At first, everything was fleeting.

cautious and stealthy,

you wanted to catch me,

Now in silence

here I am.

Destroyed and lost.

When reading this fragment, you may have thought of different toxins, but without a doubt, the one that would represent the most would be cocaine.

This substance is a stimulant of the central nervous system which is usually consumed inhaled/snorted (powder) or smoked (diluted). It is highly addictive due to its strong effects on the brain reward system often leads to a host of physical and psychological problems, from heart disease to mental health disorders, and can have a devastating impact on the lives of users and their families.

How does cocaine act at the brain level?

cocaine use triggers the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in sending neurons, but also blocks the reuptake of these neurotransmitters in receiving neurons.

The union of both processes results in an excess of these chemical substances in the brain, and, therefore, in a intensification of neural signals and in the feelings of euphoria and energy that characterize the "high" of cocaine. However, over time, the brain adapts and requires increasing amounts of cocaine. to produce the same sensation, which can lead to compulsive use of the drug and ultimately to

The addiction.

The psychological impact of cocaine addiction

At the same time, activities that once provided natural pleasure may begin to feel unsatisfactory compared to cocaine use, as this brain reward system has been modified. Besides, when the effects of cocaine wear off, the person may experience an intense "come down", as dopamine levels drop below normal and lead to feelings of depression, anxiety and a strong desire to use more cocaine to alleviate these negative symptoms.

Consuming this substance, quite evidently, entails serious social and economic consequences such as breaks in family and personal relationships, debts, fines, marginalization, job loss or imprisonment. Likewise, it can lead to an alteration of the cardiovascular system, increasing blood pressure or heart rate. heart failure, which can lead to serious heart problems, including irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, and even death sudden It can cause brain damage, with strokes and brain hemorrhages. Also, common to other toxic substances, when accompanied by risk behaviors, may increase the likelihood of transmitting communicable infections.

It also has significant consequences for the mental health. It is very strongly associated with depression due to dysregulation and depletion of the brain's reward system, as well as disturbance of other neurotransmitters. It can cause anxiety, paranoia, memory and concentration problems, and even changes in the structure and brain function that can last long after drug use has been stopped.

therapy for cocaine addiction

So, is it impossible to stop consuming it? No!

The first step in cocaine addiction treatment is detoxification.. This process, which can be medically assisted, involves removing cocaine from the body and driving withdrawal symptoms, which may include anxiety, depression, agitation, and cravings drugs. Once detoxification has been achieved, through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) we will help people to identify and change patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to their addiction. so they can learn to manage drug cravings, avoid drug triggers, and develop healthy coping skills.

Social support is also a critical component of treatment; Having a space to share experiences and learn from others is also a very useful resource to help prevent relapse.

Don't let yourself be destroyed. It is time to give life to the years.