Cocaine use in small doses produces feelings of euphoria, verbosity, energy, sensory alertness, decreased appetite, and sleepiness. At higher doses, it increases irritability, anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
Short-term physiological effects of cocaine include constriction of blood vessels, tingling, dilation of the pupils, and increased heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure.
Cocaine addiction
We can speak of Cocaine addiction, when one has lost control of its use, and persists despite the negative consequences it entails.
Consumption becomes compulsive and one begins to dedicate time and energy to obtain the drug, to the detriment of the quality of life.
This deterioration is progressive, so the addict does not detect it, reaching denial and self-deception. There is a selective euphoric memory, so the addict only remembers the moment of gratifying euphoria, and does not remember the negative personal, family and social consequences.
Psychological profile of the cocaine addict
The profile of the cocaine addict is that of an individual who presents frequent and intense mood changes. They also present a notable increase in their activity due to the sensation of energy they perceive, and they are excited and restless.
At the same time, there is a gradual reduction of motivation, so that he/she needs more and more consumption to function normally.
The cocaine addict is more and more absorbed by the addictive behavior, thus affecting his whole relational area. His social isolation will be progressive, and his behavior will be reduced to everything related to getting his dose. Thus, in most cases, he will begin to have economic problems, because his consumption will be increasingly overflowing, adding complications of debts, lies, and serious family tensions.
Origin and cause of cocaine addiction
Addiction is a primary disease that affects the brain. Its origin is multifactorial with biological, genetic, psychological and social factors.
Studies indicate that there are neurochemical changes in people with addictive disorders and that there is a biogenetic predisposition to develop this disease.
How to cure cocaine addiction
If we assume that addiction is considered a chronic relapsing disease, we would understand that there is no cure as such. However, it is a disease that can be treated and a complete remission of symptoms can be achieved, although its cerebral affectation persists.
Its treatment is bio-psycho-social. A global intervention is necessary, where the addict can palliate the effects of the substance, with pharmacological support.
On the other hand, psychological therapy is necessary, initially to understand and accept the course of the addiction, then to review those areas that have been most affected by consumption and finally, to change the lifestyle and habits that revolved around consumption.
All this, together with family involvement makes it possible to learn to live with the addiction and to overcome stages or moments of relapse, and to redirect the situation in a favorable way.