Cocaine is a mood and mind altering substance that is a central nervous system stimulant. 
Like other drugs, it causes changes in the brain eventually leading to addiction.
Cocaine has an impact on several neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain. The neurotransmitter, dopamine, is damaged by prlonged cocaine abuse. Dopamine is a chemical that allows us to feel pleasure/rewards naturally. Cocaine tricks the brain into realizing greater amounts of dopamine. The brain eventually notices that something is wrong and dopamine production slows and becomes depleted. This leads to cravings for more cocaine and depressed mood.
Cocaine produces an intensive high fairly quickly thus leading to addiction faster than some other mood altering substances. It can be snorted, smoked, or injected. The pleasure and intense high is short lived and depressed mood and craving for the next high returns.
Cocaine can lead to high blood pressure, strain on the heart and other major organs, heart attack, seizures, stroke, lung damage.
People often experience increased anxiety, paranoia, depression as a result of cocaine abuse. Addiction to cocaine can also lead to sexual dysfunction, nasal/sinus problems, sleep problems, and psychiatric problems.
Several problems arise from cocaine abuse including: financial, relationship, work impairment, isolation, legal, health to name a few.
Alcohol is often a trigger to return to using cocaine.
In working with cocaine addicts we focus on specific tools to help with cravings, the underlying problems encounted, relationship problems - to help you recover your life and live free of cocaine.
If you need help with addictions or issues concerning cocaine, and you're in the Atlanta Georgia area, call us today.
