Cocaine was an important discovery in anesthesiology in the late nineteenth century, but due to human misuse, it became an addictive substance that killed millions of people either as a result of the fatal cocaine side effects it causes or as a result of suicide due to the depression caused by cocaine addiction.
More than 18 million people use cocaine each year, according to the World Health Organization, and reports indicate that 20% of users develop chronic dependence, and about 25% of global cardiac emergencies in people younger than 45 years old are a result of chronic cocaine side effects in young people.
What is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a stimulant drug made from coca leaves native to South America, it was first used as an anesthetic for the first time in 1880, it has two types of chemical forms where the first form is the hydrochloride salt (an injectable or inhalable powder) that is soluble in water, and the second form is cocaine base that is insoluble in water, doctors can prescribe it for medical uses such as local anesthesia for some eye, ear, and throat surgeries.
The second form is the insoluble cocaine base, and some doctors can prescribe it for medical uses such as local anesthesia for some eye, ear and throat surgeries, but its misuse by people causes a severe addiction accompanied by serious physical and psychological cocaine side effects.
Cocaine is abused by addicts orally, nasally, or by intravenous injection (the fastest acting). Abuse by either method can lead to the absorption of toxic amounts of cocaine, causing heart attacks or strokes, which can lead to sudden death, representing some of the most dangerous cocaine side effects.
Cocaine addiction symptoms: How to recognize an addict?
A cocaine addict can be recognized by many signs that appear on the person and are obvious to their family and people around them, and in general, the individual tries to hide some psychological symptoms, such as hiding the feeling of anxiety and stress, but the physical symptoms are very clear.
Warning signs of cocaine addiction
The signs of cocaine addiction vary from person to person based on several factors, the most important of which are genetic factors, in addition to its effect when mixed with other factors, and vary among many signs, but the most important signs can be divided into:
Physical signs
- Abnormally large and dilated pupils
- Weight loss due to cocaine-induced loss of appetite
- Bleeding or runny nose as a result of repeated cocaine inhalation
- High blood pressure and a fast heartbeat
- Excessive sweating even when you’re not exerting yourself
Psychological and behavioral signs
- Sudden and severe mood swings, such as bouts of anxiety and depression
- Anxiety and stress for no reason
- Hallucinations and extreme paranoia, where the person feels like they are being watched or threatened
- Being impulsive and making rash decisions without thinking about the consequences
- Neglecting personal and professional responsibilities due to the addict’s preoccupation with cocaine use
Cognitive symptoms
- Poor concentration and inability to think clearly
- Memory issues
- Mental distractions and difficulty performing daily tasks
Social symptoms
- Social isolation from friends and family
- Problems at work or school due to distractions
- behave aggressively
- Neglecting personal relationships
- Tendency to risky behaviors, such as spending money excessively and recklessly, or getting into conflicts repeatedly
Psychological symptoms of cocaine use (anxiety, depression, hallucinations)
Cocaine is a strong stimulant to the central nervous system, so cocaine use leads to increased nervous activity and high adrenaline levels in the body, which causes bouts of anxiety, in addition to its long-term use in large quantities causes cognitive disorders and auditory and visual hallucinations, and although cocaine gives the addict a state of euphoria and happiness when using it, but due to the severe and sudden decrease in dopamine after the effect of cocaine ends, the person enters a state of depression and never feels happy until he uses it again.
Cocaine side effects physical and mental health
Cocaine side effects have a wide range of harms and risks to human physical and psychological health, as it affects the work of the heart and intravascular pressure, and severely affects the respiratory and digestive systems, causing pulmonary infections and damage to the mucous membranes in the pulmonary tissue, causing ulcers and loss of appetite, in addition to nausea and vomiting at the level of the digestive system, and its most serious effect is its effect on the central nervous system, as it causes damage to nerve cells, which causes metabolic disorders and leads to the occurrence of neurological seizures.
Cocaine side effects include psychological harms such as anxiety and irritability that appear from the first dose, which causes the patient stress, fear and confusion, and the addict develops what is called psychosis, which is a state of mental distraction and lack of concentration in daily life, and cocaine causes severe addiction, in addition to causing very severe withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using.
How cocaine affects the brain
Cocaine side effects have an effect on the basal ganglia in the brain, which is an essential part of the brain’s reward circuit, and through this, the long-term effect of cocaine on these ganglia causes impaired ability to enjoy any activity, such as eating, socializing, or even sex.
Cocaine side effects also have an effect on the amygdala, which plays a role in feeling feelings of anxiety and discomfort, so the excessive effect of cocaine on it makes it sensitive to stimulation, which forms a new motivation for the addict to use, which is to escape the discomfort and anxiety resulting from the increased sensitivity of the amygdala.
In addition to the above cocaine side effects, cocaine side effects affect the prefrontal centers in the cerebral cortex, which are responsible for planning, problem solving, and decision-making, so the effect of cocaine on these centers leads to poor impulse control and makes the person prefer using drugs over doing anything else.
The human being naturally loses part of the gray matter annually and its effects do not appear until the individual reaches old age, causing memory disorders and changes in cognitive abilities, but studies have shown that cocaine use causes it to be lost faster, naturally 1.69 milliliters of gray matter is lost annually, but in cocaine addicts the loss is 3.08 milliliters per year, and this poses a great threat to human health due to cocaine side effects.
Cocaine side effects on the respiratory system and heart
Although cocaine side effects’ stimulant effect mainly targets nerve cells, it has a devastating effect on the heart and respiratory system as well, with most deaths in cocaine users resulting from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Cocaine side effects directly affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems by blocking the reuptake of noradrenaline and dopamine, which leads to increased beta1-adrenergic receptor activity and increased heart rate and contraction force, thus increasing myocardial oxygen demand, which increases the pressure on the respiratory and circulatory systems, and may lead to cardiac ischemia and myocardial infarction, and its use can cause heart rhythm disorders, such as ventricular fibrillation, which is a common cause of sudden death among addicts. In the long term, it causes enlargement of the heart muscle and hardening of the arteries, which increases the risk of cardiac and cerebral strokes, and may end in death if proper medical intervention and treatment are not provided.
Despite all the dangers to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, cocaine side effects cause serious damage to the respiratory system, causing damage to the mucous membranes in the nose, pulmonary issues such as pulmonary hemorrhage, chronic bronchitis, damage to the alveoli, and in cases of overdose may cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Risks of long-term cocaine use
Cocaine side effects lead to long-term psychological effects that may be severe and dangerous, and it has been shown that cocaine abuse significantly affects brain function, as it can cause disorders such as psychosis, auditory and visual hallucinations, in addition to chronic anxiety and severe depression, and with continued use, the mechanism of neural communication within the brain is disrupted, leading to impaired ability to reason and make sound decisions, and cocaine dependence causes changes in brain chemistry that make the person more prone to emotional disorders and unbalanced emotions.
Cocaine side effects include long-term serious physical effects, including poor appetite leading to significant weight loss, as well as cardiovascular disorders, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Cocaine also affects the respiratory system. Moreover, continued use may lead to skin issues such as dryness and sores caused by excessive scratching, due to the feeling of having objects under the skin, which is one of the symptoms resulting from the sensory hallucinations associated with addiction. These effects can progress, making recovery a challenge that requires comprehensive medical intervention and ongoing care.
How to effectively treat cocaine addiction
Although cocaine addiction is a chronic disease, addiction can be overcome with a well-thought-out plan from a medical professional, as the stages of cocaine addiction treatment include several levels, including:
- The assessment and diagnosis phase: This is where the addict’s condition is evaluated by a team of specialists, including assessing the severity of the addiction, the presence of co-occurring mental illnesses (such as depression and anxiety), and assessing the general health status to check for physical ailments that may be caused by cocaine addiction.
- The detoxification phase: Unfortunately, there is no approved medication to treat cocaine withdrawal, but there are some medications that may be used to alleviate symptoms, including:
Modafinil
This medication is commonly prescribed to treat narcolepsy and cocaine-related sleep disorders and has also been shown to significantly reduce cocaine cravings while improving cognitive function in those suffering from addiction.
Naltrescon
This medication is often prescribed to treat alcohol and opiate addiction and has also been shown to be effective in reducing cocaine cravings as well as improving mood in those suffering from addiction. Naltrexone is a commonly used medication in recovery.
Topiramate
Usually prescribed as an antiepileptic, this drug reduces the excessive dopamine release caused by cocaine and has shown promise in reducing relapses, especially in patients with severe addiction.
The role of psychotherapy in treating cocaine addiction
Psychotherapy is the cornerstone of cocaine addiction treatment, and it includes several basic methods and stages decided by the specialist doctor and the assessment team, including cognitive behavioral therapy and rehabilitation programs, in addition to providing psychological and community support.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for cocaine addiction (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that aims to change the way you think and feel, using self-help strategies. This approach is particularly effective in treating substance use disorder.
Furthermore, CBT is based on the principle that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Individuals can change their emotional responses and behaviors by identifying and then eliminating irrational or harmful thoughts. Key techniques include the following:
Understanding and modifying behavior
CBT helps individuals struggling with cocaine addiction to critically evaluate their behaviors and understand the motivations behind their addiction. Research shows that CBT effectively alters the brain’s response to addictive substance cues, reducing cravings.
Addressing harmful behaviors
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) directly aims to treat self-injurious or self-harming behaviors, which are often reinforced by addictive thought patterns. The therapy aims to break these patterns by developing healthier responses to the body and psyche.
Emotional regulation
The intense dopamine rush from cocaine use significantly impairs rational thinking and activates emotional thinking.
Cognitive abnormalities treatment
CBT works to correct these pattern distortions by restructuring negative thinking patterns. Studies have shown that changing these thought patterns can improve the cognitive function of the brain over time, aiding recovery.
Focus on current triggers
Unlike some forms of therapy that delve into an individual’s past, CBT focuses on identifying and managing the current attitudes that lead to addiction. This approach is useful for developing immediate coping strategies that are effective in preventing relapse.
Simultaneous management of disorders
Successful recovery from addiction often requires the simultaneous management of both mental and physical illnesses. CBT addresses these illnesses simultaneously, ensuring that untreated mental health issues do not undermine the recovery process.
This holistic approach to treatment is critical to a full recovery.
The importance of rehabilitation programs and community support in recovery
Cocaine addiction is not just a physical disorder, but involves profound changes in the brain, behavior, and lifestyle, which is why rehabilitation and community support programs are essential for long-term recovery and represent the tipping point between lasting recovery and relapse:
Restore brain and behavioral function
Since cocaine alters brain chemistry, rehab aims to reset the sensitivity of neural receptors and learn new skills aimed at replacing addictive behavior.
Relapse prevention
Since most addicts experience a strong desire to return even after stopping, these programs include relapse prevention strategies such as meditation and learning sports and hobbies.
Comorbid psychiatric disorders treatment
Most cocaine addicts suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and personality disorders.
Improving overall health
They include regular checkups, proper nutrition, and healthy exercise to address the physical symptoms caused by cocaine addiction.
Social and vocational reintegration
As most cocaine addicts tend to isolate, lose social relationships, and often lose their jobs, it aims to provide vocational training, find new job opportunities for people, and repair their social relationships.
Spiritual and psychological support
Building a new meaning to life gives a person another reason to live and aspire away from cocaine addiction.
Challenges in cocaine addiction treatment and how to overcome them
The challenges of treating cocaine addiction are numerous and include:
- Physical challenges: Severe withdrawal symptoms, irreversible damage to the heart and nervous tissue.
- Psychological challenges: Cravings, weak willpower, and psychiatric comorbidities.
- Social challenges: The addict feels ashamed to ask for help.
These obstacles related to cocaine side effects can be overcome through a number of strategies and solutions, such as the use of medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and regular cardiac and neurological follow-up to solve some of the obstacles on the physical level. On the level of psychological challenges, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used to change thinking patterns or use dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to treat personality disorders, and train the person in skills to face cravings, and on the social side, family therapy is very important for cocaine side effects treatment, aiming to repair family relationships and build a support network, in addition to vocational rehabilitation to restore financial independence.
How to deal with cocaine withdrawal symptoms?
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are some of the most severe withdrawal symptoms among other addictive substances, ranging from anxiety and stress after stopping use, to sudden fatigue, nightmares, mood swings such as depression, and slowed motor activity (psychomotor impairment), which makes the person less physically and intellectually active.
Unfortunately, there is no specific medication to treat withdrawal symptoms, but a number of medications are used to alleviate the symptoms as much as possible, as well as a range of practices that also aim to alleviate the symptoms:
- Stress and anxiety are relieved by medication, activities such as meditation and daily exercise, as well as avoiding stressful triggers
- Depression treatment is with certain medications, sometimes in combination with cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) and social support
- Manage nightmares by avoiding stimulants such as caffeine before bedtime and practicing activities that help you relax
- Slowed motor and cognitive activity is treated by mental exercises such as solving puzzles, reading, avoiding isolation, and engaging in social activities
Relapse prevention strategies after addiction recovery
After recovering from cocaine addiction, the biggest concern is relapse and returning to use after full recovery, but fortunately, there are several strategies that can be followed that achieve positive results in preventing relapse, namely:
- Recognizing and avoiding triggers
- Commitment to therapy and psychological support
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle
- Self-monitoring and periodic follow-up
In conclusion, the treatment of cocaine side effects is not impossible. Still, it requires a strong will and follow-up from the specialized doctor who builds the foundation and treatment plan to get rid of cocaine addiction. Bimaristan Medical Center is one of the centers that provide regular supervision and follow-up and develop thoughtful plans for people suffering from addiction to help them treat their addiction and prevent relapse in the future.
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