According to 2024 data from the National Institute of Drug Abuse, nearly 6 million Americans 12 years of age and older reported repeated cocaine use in the past year [1].
The US has one of the highest rates of cocaine use in the world, with many using it as a party drug or to increase their productivity in a fast-paced work culture. This is because it gives users a quick spike in energy, focus, and euphoria.
However, long-term use of cocaine leads to addiction and can damage essential cognitive functions of the brain, such as learning and memory retention, concentration, decision-making, and problem-solving.
The distressing rate of cocaine use and its consequences on the brain highlight the need to understand its impact on mental health and why treatment is vital.
How Cocaine Affects Brain Chemistry
Cocaine changes the chemistry and functioning of several neurotransmitters in the brain. These are chemical messengers that help the brain and body communicate. The neurotransmitters impacted the most by cocaine use include [2][3]:
- Dopamine: This neurotransmitter impacted the most by cocaine is dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for pleasure, motivation, and habit formation. Cocaine causes a quick spike in dopamine, which can increase the risk of anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks. When cocaine use stops, the drop in dopamine leads to depression, exhaustion, lack of motivation, and inability to focus.
- Norepinephrine: This hormonal neurotransmitter induces the body’s survival instincts known as “fight or flight”. Cocaine use increases this chemical, causing symptoms such as alertness, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure.
- Serotonin: This neurotransmitter plays a key role in mood, the sleep cycle, and digestion. Cocaine increases serotonin levels, and when use stops, it can lead to symptoms of depression.
- Endorphins: These “feel good” chemicals are released during activities like exercise or sex. They reduce pain, induce relaxation, and increase feelings of euphoria. Cocaine has been found to release beta-endorphins, contributing to addictive use.
Regions of the Brain Affected By Cocaine
Cocaine disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters in the limbic system of the brain. The limbic system is a set of regions that regulate pleasure, motivation, decision-making, fear and stress responses, and emotions [2][3].
Some of the regions in the limbic system affected by cocaine use include:
- Pre-frontal cortex: Controls organizing, planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Cocaine decreases activity in this region, increasing the risk of cognitive decline.
- Amygdala: Responsible for stress and fear responses. Activity in this region increases during cocaine withdrawal and causes feelings of anxiety, increased heart rate, and paranoia.
- Basal Ganglia: Primary center of the pleasure-reward system and responsible for habits and pleasure-induced motivation such as eating or having sex. It interprets cocaine as one of these behaviors, leading to habitual use and addiction.
- Hippocampus: Area of the limbic system that controls long-term memory and learning. Studies found that cocaine increases hippocampus-dependent learning and memory, which can lead to drug-seeking behaviors and addiction [4].
Long-Term Effects of Cocaine On The Brain
There are several long-term effects of cocaine on the brain that reduce cognitive functioning, increasing the risk of mental health challenges.
Anxiety and Paranoia
Research has linked cocaine use to an increase in panic attacks and anxiety disorders. It increases heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. All of these are physical symptoms that resemble anxiety.
Cocaine also makes it difficult for users to fall asleep, leading to insomnia or eventually cocaine-induced psychosis. This causes distressing symptoms such as paranoia, delusions, or hallucinations [5].
Cocaine and Memory Loss
One study from the University of Cambridge has shown how cocaine causes a significant loss of grey matter in the brain. The researchers discovered that the average brain loses 1.7 milliliters of gray matter per year. However, in the study, people with cocaine use disorder lost slightly over 3 milliliters [6].
This contributes to cocaine-induced memory loss, motor impairment, trouble problem-solving, and difficulty reasoning.
Visual Structural Changes
According to the Journal of Nature Neuroscience, using cocaine can slightly change brain structure in the limbic pathways after just one-time use. This partly explains the addictive nature of cocaine and why it can be so difficult to quit [7].
Why Professional Treatment Is Necessary
When cocaine use is abruptly stopped, the high that users feel eventually crashes. The quick decline in neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins leads to the uncomfortable feelings one feels during withdrawal, such as depression, fatigue, body aches, and agitation. This can make quitting difficult, and why professional treatment is necessary.
Medical Detox for Cocaine Addiction
Detox centers for cocaine addiction provide around-the-clock care and supervision from a medical team to ensure patients withdraw safely and comfortably. Detoxing in a professional treatment center ensures that one’s vitals are stable, medical protocols are followed, and there is a distraction-free environment to focus on recovery.
Therapy for Long-Term Recovery from Cocaine Addiction
After detox, residential treatment, also known as inpatient rehab, is often recommended as the next step to support long-term recovery. An important component of cocaine addiction treatment is therapy. This teaches patients about what drives their substance abuse, triggers, and how to develop positive coping skills to prevent relapse.
Some evidence-based used for recovery from cocaine abuse include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Trauma-Focused Therapies (EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT)
- Experiential Therapies (art, music, dance and movement, animal therapy)
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
Detox and Residential Treatment for Cocaine Addiction in Michigan
Rushton Recovery understands how cocaine recovery requires a comprehensive approach to care. Our supervised medical detox and holistic residential treatment center in Michigan offers a healing space to embark on your journey toward sobriety.
We offer evidence-based therapies designed to evolve with your individual needs and address the root of your cocaine abuse. Let our team help you heal, repair relationships, and equip you with the skills to achieve long-term recovery.
Reach out to our Admissions team now.
Sources
[1] Cocaine. 2024. National Institute of Drug Abuse.
[2] The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction. 2005. National Library of Medicine.
[3] Neurobiology of Addiction. 2023. National Institute of Health.
[4] Effects of drugs of abuse on hippocampal plasticity and hippocampus-dependent learning and memory: contributions to development and maintenance of addiction. 2016. National Library of Medicine.
[5] Epidemiologic evidence on cocaine use and panic attacks. 1989. National Institute of Health.
[6] Abnormal structure of frontostriatal brain systems is associated with aspects of impulsivity and compulsivity in cocaine dependence. 2011. National Library of Medicine.
[7] Cocaine-induced structural plasticity in frontal cortex correlates with conditioned place preference. 2013. Nature Neuroscience.
