Cocaine is one of the world’s most powerful stimulants of natural origin. As the drug is consumed by the user it enhances the secretion of NRTs in their brain resulting in feelings of euphoria, heightened alertness, increased concentration and strength and a sense of invincibility. Once the cocaine is metabolized (broken down) by the addict’s system, the intense surge of NRTs halts, and the natural production of NRTs is drastically reduced. This leaves the brain in a significantly deficient state of NRTs. After experiencing unnaturally high levels of energy and euphoria they now experience a debilitating level of lethargy, diminished self-confidence, and a devastating deep depression. These elated feelings (the “high”) followed by the post-cocaine low (the “crash”) keep the addict coming back for more.
As the addict continues in their addiction their bodies begin to adjust to the increased levels of NRTs, caused by their cocaine use, by diminishing their own natural production of NRTs. Less available NRTs in their brain makes them less able to experience pleasure from normal activities and less able to experience pleasure from the drug the next time they use it. What has happened? The addict has developed a tolerance to the drugs effect. The user then needs more cocaine, more frequently, with less time between hits for their body to feel any where close to normal. The addict at this stage is not necessarily looking to get high but attempting to have a sense of normality in their life again. The addict’s life begins to center around cocaine without regard for food, family, sleep, or safety. All of these necessities of life become irrelevant to them for they fail to supply any pleasure. This vicious cycle that the addict enters into is a physiological recipe for disaster. As the usage of cocaine intensifies disability (strokes, heart attacks, etc) and death can occur. In fact disability and death can occur the first time someone uses cocaine. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizure activity followed by respitory arrest. Unfortunately I have seen death as a result of cocaine use all too often.
Withdrawal from cocaine is a very serious issue. As the addict continues in their addiction, the drug causes biological changes to occur in their brain. Because of these changes the addict experiences both psychological and physical symptoms as they withdraw. They can suffer from: agitation, depression, cravings, extreme fatigue, anxiety, decreased motivation, nausea and vomiting, tremors, irritability, muscle pain, disturbed sleep patterns and the like, realizing this list in not exhaustive. Regardless of where you are is in your struggle with this bondage to cocaine, there is life after cocaine. Many have found this life of freedom through the RU Schools of Discipleship.
The length of stay in our long-term addiction treatment center is approximately 6-8 months. This might seem like a long time, but the results speak for themselves we have seen an average of 80% success rate from our graduates. If you or your loved one is in need of assistance, you can contact Reformers Unanimous at 1-866-733-6768 to speak confidentially with a professional admissions coordinator. Our admissions coordinators are very caring and knowledgeable and would love to take your call and answer your questions. We know it can be tough to pick up the phone and ask for help, but this could be the most important call you ever make for yourself or your loved one! Call Us 1-866-733-6768 or E-Mail us on the form on the right of this page.
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