Cocaine is an extremely dangerous drug with a high potential for addiction. Cocaine produces a powerful rush of dopamine and endorphins. After your first high, your body begins to crave the drug. Furthermore, uncertainty about the makeup of the drug and whether it is laced with other substances such as Fentanyl makes addiction to cocaine all the more dangerous. Therefore, it is paramount for those suffering from an addiction to cocaine to receive cocaine addiction treatment at a cocaine addiction treatment center in Fort Worth, Texas as soon as possible.
Why Is Cocaine So Addictive?
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies cocaine as a schedule two drug, meaning it has great potential for misuse and can cause severe physical and mental addiction.
Cocaine alters the normal functioning of your brain by changing systems linked with pleasure, memory, and proper judgment. As such, the entire addiction process occurs in your head. When you consume cocaine, the brain increases the secretion of a pleasure-causing substance known as dopamine. Usually, the brain would produce large quantities of dopamine, use some to make you happy, and clear the excess.
Cocaine interferes with the ability of your brain to clear the excess dopamine. As your mind continues making more dopamine, its quantity rises to an extent whereby the brain becomes accustomed to excessive amounts. With time, your brain stops depending on the natural production of dopamine.
Hence, you’ll need extra cocaine stimulation to create pleasure, which usually leads to dependence. Cocaine causes your brain to malfunction, and your happiness will no longer depend on things that gave you pleasurable before.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms play a significant role in cocaine dependence. Quitting the use of any substance is likely to cause various distresses and excessive cravings that can force a person to relapse. So, the existence of withdrawal symptoms indicates that you’re already an addict, as they signify your body’s physical reaction to a lack of cocaine in your bloodstream.
The first few hours or days after quitting cocaine consumption are the toughest to overcome because extreme cravings develop during this period. There are other physical withdrawal symptoms to look out for, including:
- Hallucinations or illusions
- Nightmares or insomnia
- Suicidal thoughts
- Moodiness, irritability, or aggression
- Abdominal pain and diarrhea
- Sexual dysfunction
- Depression, panic attacks, or anxiety
A drug detox center provides round-the-clock care to ensure you overcome powerful cocaine withdrawal symptoms. A cocaine detox center provides medical supervision to help you overcome drug withdrawal symptoms and build a foundation for lasting cocaine addiction recovery.
Dual Diagnosis Cocaine Addiction Treatment
A drug rehab center provides dual diagnosis addiction treatment for the underlying co-occurring mental health disorders that contribute to your addiction to cocaine, as well as the physical symptoms of cocaine addiction.
At the inception of cocaine addiction treatment at a cocaine rehab center, the addiction treatment staff will conduct a mental health assessment to create a cocaine addiction treatment plan specific to you based on your unique co-occurring mental health disorders that fuel your addiction to cocaine. Cocaine addiction treatment programs include:
- 12 Step recovery program
- cognitive-behavioral therapy program
- dialectical behavior therapy
- dual diagnosis treatment
- trauma-informed therapy
- intensive outpatient program
Long-Term Effects of Cocaine
Excessive use of cocaine can cause your brain to malfunction. This is because dopamine accumulates in the synapses, thus misguiding the brain to identify this as a pleasant sensation. This is the cause of the euphoric feeling you experience when using cocaine.
When the brain has adapted to high levels of dopamine, you will need to increase cocaine doses persistently to feel pleasure.
There are numerous other long-term effects of cocaine, such as:
- Respiratory failure
- Tooth decay
- Infertility
- Severe depression
- Hypertension
- Liver, kidney, and lung damage
Overcome Cocaine Addiction
For those suffering from addiction to cocaine, know that you are not alone. Help is available at a an accredited addiction treatment center. Regain control of your life. Contact a cocaine addiction treatment center today to take the first steps towards lasting cocaine addiction recovery.