Is Cocaine an Addictive Substance?

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a fine white powder made from the coca plant and works by hijacking our natural reward system.

It can be snorted, injected or smoked and takes effect within seconds to minutes, depending on how it is ingested.

Usually, the brain’s mesolimbic dopamine system rewards us for pleasurable behaviors, such as eating and socializing. Our brain releases dopamine which makes us enjoy the activity and want to repeat it. Usually, our brain then recycles the dopamine for later use.

However, cocaine blocks our brain from reabsorbing dopamine, which leads to a huge build-up, and at first, this is extremely enjoyable to users. The effects of cocaine are short-lived and wear off after around thirty minutes. At this point, users typically begin to feel ‘lower’ than before they took the drug, which leads to repeated use and, eventually, dependence and addiction.

Cocaine addiction is insidious. It can take over user’s lives relatively quickly, or it can work its way in slowly. What starts as casual use can quickly turn into daily use, as our natural dopamine levels get lower and lower.

Cocaine Addiction And The Brain

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Long-term cocaine use changes our neurological systems that affect pleasure, memory, and decision-making.

When someone is addicted, the strong urges to use are very hard to resist.

Regular cocaine use causes our brains to adapt to the presence of the drug. Our system becomes more adept at processing the drug, and the dopamine receptors start to become ‘down-regulated’.

Cocaine does not produce extreme physical withdrawal symptoms like heroin or alcohol. However, it does cause a physical change in our neurological makeup and causes intense psychological withdrawal symptoms.

Past Trauma

Researchers have found that people with a history of trauma are much more likely to be addicted to cocaine.

Trauma covers a wide range of life events and includes:

• Sexual abuse
• Physical abuse
• Witnessing death
• Serious illness
• Emotionally distant parents

Like cocaine, trauma causes physical changes in our brains – trauma survivors typically have a lower grey-matter concentration in the areas associated with reward. This is thought to make drug use more appealing and harder to resist to this demographic.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (or PTSD) symptoms can persist for years after the original event. The condition makes it much more likely for trauma survivors to suffer from additional mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety.

Mental health conditions are the underlying cause of many addictions – people self-medicate to relieve themselves of symptoms. However, this is extremely harmful to their general well-being in the long term and can exacerbate existing problems and complicate treatment.

At Cirque Lodge, we are well-equipped to treat any form of drug addiction. We offer a dual diagnosis program that offers specific mental health treatment and cutting-edge therapies such as EMDR to help clients process and make peace with their past trauma.

Environmental Factors for Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

When cocaine leaves the body, especially after heavy use, it leaves us in a dopamine deficit.

Users typically experience a ‘crash’ and experience intense cravings to use the drug again. Cocaine withdrawal causes highly uncomfortable symptoms including:

• High blood pressure
• Extreme agitation
• Vivid nightmares
• Suicidal thoughts
• Depression
• Paranoia

The best way to attain recovery from cocaine addiction is medical detox, followed by a rehab treatment program to address the causative factors. Medical detox allows the body to restore itself to its natural state in a safe, controlled environment.

At Cirque Lodge, we provide the calm and comfortable environment needed for you to concentrate on your recovery journey. Our remote location allows you to free your mind from the pressures of daily life and creates space for you to heal.

Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction

Treatment at Cirque Lodge

The causes of cocaine addiction are complex and often deep-rooted.

Recovering from cocaine addiction involves identifying the behaviors that cause you to use cocaine and developing skills to overcome them. Recovery is not an easy process and takes time, focus, and support. It requires treating any underlying mental health conditions or co-occurring disorders that may contribute to your addiction.

Effective treatment offers holistic healing for the entire person, and at Cirque Lodge, we offer intensive residential rehab treatment with 24-hour medical and psychological care. Our state-of-the-art treatment facilities provide the comfortable, nurturing environment you need to engage in the healing process fully.