by Marie Monroe

Created on: September 28, 2008

Cocaine Blues

Cocaine withdrawal is tough, but it goes through phases and this is where there's hope. Each phase of withdrawal has its own challenges and victories and each is a foundation upon which more recovery will build. The key, I believe, is to approach recovery as a medical issue and to gather up as many resources to support recovery as possible. One of the chief supports that many unsuccessful attempts have not included is the medical community. Unfortunately, the stigma of drug addiction continues to reinforce the mistaken belief that addiction is a moral failing rather than a medical emergency. In reality, however, the pervasive consequences of cocaine addiction are many. They are also severe and can be as catastrophic to one's health as any other acute medical problem.

Cocaine's effect upon the brain is long lasting and intense. The brain chemistry and its functioning are seriously altered by use. A good rule of thumb is that the longer the use and the more frequent the use, the more affected the brain is. The good news is that the brain will recover.
Cocaine depletes the brain of an essential feel good' neurotransmitter called serotonin. Without an adequate supply of serotonin the brain gets used to' and needs' the pleasure center bullet effect of this drug. There is, however, a point at which even cocaine does not adequately fire the pleasure center. It is at this point that addicts will complain that "I can't get high enough any more" or "It's no longer working for me". The danger at this juncture of addiction is that the addict will try larger quantities and/or more frequent use to feel pleasure again. In the world of active addiction, this makes sense: if this amount doesn't do it, more will. Not necessarily true, but the thinking does make sense and is an excellent example of how the thinking of addiction accelerates and perpetuates the addiction itself.
What is more likely to occur when the high is no longer satisfying is that use increases, tolerance increases and the body (as well as the brain) will become even more toxic. Psychologically, the addict finds himself in a no win situation. Typically, use is compulsive, withdrawal seems impossible and use isn't working. Accelerated use is an attempted solution -not a self-destructive tactic and not a death wish. Unfortunately, even without the intervention of addicted thinking, the nature of addiction as a progressively accelerating disease, will eventually get the addict to the same no win juncture.

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