Cocaine and the Brain: How to Recover

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Cocaine belongs to the class of drugs known as stimulants. Stimulants speed up your system and are psychologically addicting. Cocaine, no matter how much is consumed, has the potential for abuse, tolerance, withdrawal, and dependency. Cocaine does interesting things to your brain. Even if only used a few times, cocaine can damage the brain. The damage is what triggers addiction, but recovery is still attainable.

Cocaine affects the users reward system in the brain. Essentially, cocaine produces a surge of dopamines. Dopamines are also known as the pleasure or feel good chemical. When cocaine is consumed, a rush of dopamines is released causing pleasure. The pleasure felt is not within the standard amount produced when you eat chocolate, exercise, have sex, or experience natural thrills.

When your brain produces this sudden rush, you will continuously seek the first feeling of euphoria that you experienced. You will never experience the high that you felt the first time you used. The result is chasing a feeling that is unattainable.

The brain can recover and sobriety is possible. Time and treatment is the key to recovery. When you were in active addiction you were damaging your body and brain. Time will help your brain recover.

Learn how to naturally release dopamines. Chocolate, sex, exercise, and travel are all ways to increase dopamine. Remember to be safe, and everything in moderation. If you are looking for ideas on how to naturally increase dopamine production, talk with a therapist or addiction professional to learn more.

The most important part of recovery is avoiding the use of cocaine and any other mind and mood altering substances. In order to fully recover, you cannot put toxins back into your body. This would be a setback.

Healthy eating is a great way to encourage recovery for your brain. When you were in active addiction, you were not giving yourself the proper nutrition. Now that recovery is happening, it’s time to eat well. Nuts, lean meats, hydration, fruits, and vegetables all have healing qualities. Try to limit sugary, fatty, and processed foods. You are what you eat, so eat and treat yourself well.

At The Kimberly Center, we care about your recovery. We are certain that your brain and body can recover from cocaine addiction. Call us now at 855-4-KCENTER to learn more about how treatment can help you face life on life’s terms

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