COCAINE ADDICTION
The word most often used to describe cocaine’s initial rush, which courses through the body and brain of the users is euphoria. It’s this euphoria we find in treating cocaine addiction, is the element which compels people to use coke again and again, thus the worldwide problems with cocaine addiction are born. The rich, rush of dopamine is what makes cocaine a highly addictive substance. Primarily based on the intense pressure that floods the brain and senses of the user. This from the very first hit.
So, what are the long term effects of using cocaine? What is cocaine addiction? How does it influence your body, brain and behavior? What are the symptoms of cocaine addiction? This we explore in terms of cocaine addiction here.
LONG TERM EFFECTS ON BEHAVIOR
One of the first long term effects of using cocaine, is needing to use more and more cocaine over time. When users continue to use over time, it becomes necessary to increase doses to achieve the same initial effect. This cycle is known as ‘tolerance to cocaine’. Chronic use of cocaine in high doses can produce the effects of tolerance within about one week of frequent use. Thus the chronic difficulties in treating cocaine addiction as we see it happening today.
Then, regular or heavy use of cocaine begins to show in the behavior of the users, in terms of behavior. Heavy use of cocaine is defined as the use of 2 or more grams a week. Or, at least four times a month for one year. For these types of long term users symptoms can manifest such as:
● Agitation
● Argumentative or aggressive behavior
● Insomnia
● Irritation
● Jittery body movements
● Rapid speech patterns
● Weight loss due to lack of appetite
Some users begin to have delusions or hallucinations and many become psychotic, violent and paranoid.
LONG TERM EFFECTS ON THE BODY
Treating cocaine addiction exposes the affects the body over the long term in a variety of ways. It constricts blood vessels, dilates pupils, and increases body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. It can also cause headaches and gastrointestinal complications such as abdominal pain and nausea.
Because cocaine tends to decrease appetite, chronic users can become malnourished as well. Most seriously, people who use cocaine can suffer heart attacks or strokes, which may cause sudden death. Cocaine related deaths are often a result of the heart stopping, followed by an arrest of breathing.
LONG TERM EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN
Repeated exposure to the drug changes the brain. With treating cocaine addiction, we see that the brain starts to adapt to its presence, and the reward pathway of neurotransmitters. It becomes less sensitive to natural reinforcers and to the drug itself. As discussed earlier, tolerance may develop quite rapidly making treating cocaine addiction a hard task master. This means that higher doses and,or the more frequent use of cocaine is needed to register the same level of pleasure experienced during initial use.
At the same time, users can also become more sensitive to anxiety-producing symptoms, convulsions, and other toxic effects. What’s more is that mental deficits can develop as a result of reduced blood flow to the brain. Some people who quit using cocaine have trouble paying attention or remembering conversations. Others can be disruptive in groups by being both aggressive an uninhibited with constant interruptions.
LONG TERM EFFECTS IN TREATING COCAINE ADDICTION
● Treating cocaine addiction is common place and difficult. No one is immune.
● Anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia
● Difficulty sleeping
● Gastrointestinal problems
● Increased risk of viral and bacterial infection (including STD’s)
● Mood disturbance
● Nasal damage and difficulty swallowing
● Restlessness
● Heart Attack and heart disease risk
From more help with treating cocaine addiction contact Pathways Plett rehab Centre, South Africa. We are here to assist wherever we can.
