At some point in our lives (or maybe more often than we would like), we feel a little down in the dumps or a little “blue.” For example, after completing a super hard midterm exam, you might feel a little disappointed after noticing a big red “F” in the upper righthand corner. On the other hand, maybe you sprained your ankle during a track meet at college and couldn’t compete in the final run. Still, perhaps you are an artist who just can’t seem to design an eye perfectly. No matter what kind of job you have or what lifestyle you live, each of us has a tendency to feel a bit grumpy or sad. However, for one group of people, this sadness or disappointment can become so severe that life itself seems to be pointless. For these people, depression has taken the place of happiness. Let’s take a closer look at the connection between this tragic behavioral problem and addiction to cocaine.
Disturbing the Dopamine Neurons
Once people start ingesting cocaine, the drug triggers a flood of dopamine through the brain, ultimately causing the euphoric sensation called a “high.” However, long-term consumption of the drug can put a damper on the natural processing of this neurotransmitter, which can impede positivity. Dr. Karley Little (chief of the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center Affective Neuropharmacology Laboratory and associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School) explains how specific neurons are programmed to “hate” cocaine and will be greatly disrupted by the presence of this stimulant.
Cocaine Transforms the Brain
Ultimately, Dr. Little and her teammates were unsure whether cocaine destroyed these neurons or simply weakened them and contemplated about whether or not this problem could be fixed. As a failsafe mechanism, the brain immediately drives a wedge into the dopamine production process, which could potentially result in “neuron death.” However, Dr. Little is convinced that her studies have shown how these dopamine neurons are remarkably fragile and how cocaine can destroy brain tissue at an unprecedented rate. As the research suggests, further investigations of cocaine’s impact on brain cells can help scientists discover a stronger link between this drug and depression.
Seeking Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
If you are still trying to combat your cocaine addiction or have a friend or family member who is coping with this terrible problem, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of rehabilitation to help you separate yourself from this dangerous stimulant. The time to take back control of your life is now.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can kick your cocaine use to the curb.
