How Does Cocaine Affect the Brain?

Cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant that increases levels of dopamine, a brain chemical (or neurotransmitter) associated with pleasure and movement, in the brain’s reward circuit. With repeated use, cocaine can cause long-term changes in the brain’s reward system and in other brain systems as well, which may eventually lead to addiction. With repeated use, tolerance to the cocaine high also often develops. Many cocaine abusers report that they seek but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did from their first exposure. Some users will increase their dose in an attempt to intensify and prolong the euphoria, but this can also increase the risk of adverse psychological or physiological effects. As with most drugs, the crash or withdrawal is the part of using that keeps addicts motivated to continue their drug use. While there has not been any noticeable physical withdrawal symptoms, the craving for cocaine is overwhelming when it is absent in the brain.

What Treatment Options Exist?

Behavioral interventions—particularly, cognitive-behavioral therapy—have been shown to be effective for decreasing cocaine use and preventing relapse. Treatment must be tailored to the individual patient’s needs in order to optimize outcomes—this often involves a combination of treatment, social supports, and other services. Addiction treatment is an investment and it is imperative to check into various centers to see what types of rehab programs are offered and what will work best, to avoid having to make another investment in the future. Please explore the rest of our links and if there are any concerns about your own or someone else’s drug use, please fill out our free confidential assessment form and we will be right back with you to discuss your situation and the best possible treatment methods for you. We are here to help and if there is anyway at all that we may be able to further assist you in seeking help, please feel free to call us anytime day or night.