Cocaine addiction is particularly dangerous as the drug can be abused for relatively long periods of time without people around the user realizing. This is because the behaviors that a person exhibits on cocaine can easily be misconstrued as the behavior of someone who is highly energetic or excitable.
Cocaine acts primarily on the brains dopamine receptors, which deal with reward. Experiences, which have evolved, discovered through evolution to be positive such as eating, and having sex, drugs cause dopamine to be released, creating a positive emotional response to these actions.
Long-term use of cocaine and other drugs, which stimulate the release of dopamine can cause the dopamine neurotransmitters to down regulate, leaving the user with great difficulties finding enjoyment in normally pleasurable activities and leading to possible depression.
The treatment program for a person with a cocaine addiction should include the following in order to be effective:
1) Detox
The patient needs to stop the physical intake of cocaine. Depending on the degree of addiction, mild to extreme emotional and psychological symptoms such as: depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies may occur
2) A Nurturing and Supportive Environment
Understanding staff and emotionally supportive friends and family can be the difference between successful rehabilitation and relapse. Because the patient is going through difficulties emotionally and psychologically it is of vital importance that the environment he/she is in be as nurturing as possible.
3) Behavioral modification
Here techniques that have been proved effective are used to help the patient change his/her behavioral routines to reduce the risk of relapsing into previous behaviors. Techniques may include avoiding contact with people the patient normally used cocaine with and contacting a friend immediately if ever faced with a situation where the user feels he/she might use again.
4) Exercise
Physical exercise is helpful in many ways, a few of which are listed below:
- It stimulates the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, which has been shown to have a positive effect on self-esteem, something an addict coming off drugs, can benefit from greatly.
- It strengthens the body – a strong body and strong immune system, which comes with it can play a vital role in combating the undesirable symptoms that usually accompany withdrawal from cocaine and many other drugs.
In short, a good environment for the treatment of cocaine addiction combines the following elements:
- An emotionally and psychologically supportive environment with good food and good people.
- Comprehensive explanations of the processes taking place and what the patient and his/her support group should expect.
- Behavioral modification.
- Rest and exercise.
