The most common thing to consider when discussing cocaine addiction are its consequences. Unfortunately, the causes of cocaine addiction are equally as important. By determining the cause, it makes cocaine addiction easier to treat and possibly prevent. Current research suggests a variety of causes. "Understanding what and how exactly hypocretin influences the brain’s response to cocaine, and using “antagonists” to reverse these effects can help researchers develop better interventions, and a possible cure for cocaine addiction." - www.medicaldaily.com Impaired Reward Center of the Brain According to the National Library of Medicine, many people who suffer from cocaine addiction also suffer from an impairment in the reward center of the brain. When this portion of the brain is damaged through drug use, genetics, traumatic injury, or environmental influences, the reward that cocaine provides fills the gap, essentially treating the impairment. This impaired reward center theory explains the loss of limbic control (emotional control) in those addicted to cocaine. One of the proposed treatments for this is through noninvasive neurostimulation to correct the problem with the brain’s reward center. A Deficit of Dopamine and Increase in Cortisol Caused by Stress When you become stressed your body reacts by decreasing dopamine and increasing cortisol. This reaction causes a need for pleasure and reward. When you try cocaine, this increases the dopamine in the brain. The next time you become stressed your brain remembers the pleasure that cocaine causes and begins to crave it. Genetics and Cocaine Abuse We know that some people have a genetic predisposition to addiction and substance abuse. Although this is true for cocaine, scientists are taking it one step further. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, cocaine use and addiction can affect the expression of certain genes. This genetic expression can translate to children giving them a significantly higher risk of addiction when they attempt to use cocaine. Treating the Causes of Cocaine Addiction Regardless of the cause cocaine is a very serious and costly addiction. By identifying and treating the cause of the addiction, treatment centers can help you end your dependence on cocaine. New treatments are being developed every day to help you overcome this dangerous addiction. |
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