What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is an addictive substance that is known to block pain. It is derived from the coca plant, where it gets its name. Cocaine is also a powerful stimulant of natural origin. Cocaine was discovered for its numbing properties when a doctor injected cocaine into nerve trunks in the early 1900s. The drug soon became known and used as an anesthetic agent.

How is Cocaine Used?

Today, cocaine is commonly used as a recreational drug. It is typically snorted, smoked or intravenously taken. It has more than a few street names like coke, snow, powder or nose candy. When cocaine is smoked or injected, it is especially dangerous as it rapidly enters the bloodstream. Users of cocaine quickly crave more and need another fix to keep the continual high they experience when using the drug.

When hydrochloride is removed from the drug’s chemical formula, cocaine forms a rock-like substance that is known by its street name, crack. This dilution of cocaine makes it possible to smoke. Crack cocaine is processed with baking soda or ammonia and water and heated to remove the hydrochloride. A crack smoker will receive a large dose of cocaine, and an immediate effect, from this form of intake. Crack addiction and dependency can happen very quickly due to the extreme highs and lows associated with crack abuse. This method of using cocaine is extremely dangerous and can produce serious conditions that can ultimately lead to death.

Who is Affected by Cocaine Use?

Historically, powder cocaine is an expensive drug associated with an upper-class partying lifestyle. Crack cocaine is generally thought of as a cheaper alternative and for many years was found predominantly in low-income inner-city communities. These stereotypes are changing, though, and cocaine use today affects people of all ages, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds.

A survey conducted in 2017 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that adults aged 26 and older comprise over half of today’s cocaine users. The survey also noted that young adults ages 18 to 25 are at the highest risk of adopting a cocaine use habit.

Similar studies and literature reviews suggest that Caucasians are more likely to begin using cocaine earlier and are more likely to get treatment for cocaine abuse, while higher percentages of African American populations use cocaine in general. A 2012 report from SAMHSA also suggests that cocaine use is more prevalent in urban settings, with nearly twice as many cocaine-related admissions to medical care for drug use in cities than in rural communities.

How does cocaine affect the brain?

No matter who is using the drug, cocaine affects the brain in very specific ways that produce its stimulating, pleasurable effects. Most notably, cocaine interferes with brain cell communication, influencing neuron receptors by increasing levels of a happiness-producing chemical called dopamine. Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant, and dopamine is a special neurotransmitter that allows the brain to associate with pleasure and usually exercise. The excess of dopamine produced when using cocaine is responsible for all pleasurable effects, those described as euphoric. Dopamine can also interfere with the brain’s rewards pathways, essentially training the brain to feel good about using cocaine and in turn causing users to develop cravings and cocaine dependency.

With repeated use, the drug can cause serious long-term changes in the brain’s reward system and may lead to addiction. Tolerance to cocaine can develop, so users must take higher doses to achieve the same effects. Many cocaine users report that they fall short of attaining as much pleasure as they did from their first experience and fall into addiction as they repeatedly use the drug in an effort to reach that unattainable high. Some will increase their dose in an attempt to raise and extend the euphoria, but this can also increase the risk of adverse psychological or physiological effects. In addition, taking higher doses places an individual at a higher risk of overdose.

Can Cocaine Abuse Cause Overdose?

A cocaine overdose is highly likely. As one of the world’s most dangerous drugs, cocaine can lead to seizures and life-threatening heart failure. It has been known to cause cerebral hemorrhages, stroke and respiratory failure. There isn’t one special treatment or medication for cocaine overdose; users of the drug who do not overdose still pose an extreme risk to their bodies with the possibility of detrimental health consequences. Some studies demonstrate that injecting or smoking cocaine can have great risks and complications for the human body. Individuals who smoke the drug may become more quickly addicted.

The development of respiratory conditions, such as lung disease (trauma and internal bleeding), shortness of breath, and coughing is associated with smoking cocaine. The development of nasal problems, including frequent nosebleeds and damage to the septum, is associated with snorting the drug. Finally, skin and circulatory problems, such as infections, sores and blood vessel weakness or collapse, are associated with cocaine injections.

Opioid addiction is a chronic condition characterized by a compulsive and uncontrollable desire to use opioid drugs, even in the face of negative consequences such as physical or psychological harm, social or legal issues, or financial problems. Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as illicit drugs like heroin.

Opioids work by binding to specific receptors in the brain and nervous system, producing feelings of pain relief and pleasure. With repeated use, the brain adapts to the presence of opioids and may become less sensitive to their effects, leading to a tolerance and the need for increasingly larger doses to achieve the same high.

Withdrawal from opioids can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and cravings. Opioid addiction is a complex condition that can have physical, psychological, and social components, and it often requires a comprehensive and individualized treatment approach.

Effective treatment for opioid addiction may include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with drugs like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, as well as behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), or contingency management (CM). Support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can also be a valuable resource for individuals in recovery from opioid addiction.

 MDMA, also known as ecstasy or Molly, is a psychoactive drug that has gained popularity in recent years for its potential therapeutic benefits. MDMA works by increasing the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain, leading to feelings of euphoria, increased empathy, and heightened sensory perception.

While MDMA is often associated with recreational use, it has been studied for its potential therapeutic uses in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. Studies have shown that MDMA-assisted therapy can help individuals process difficult emotions and experiences, leading to significant improvements in symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

It's important to note that MDMA is still considered a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, meaning that it is illegal to possess, manufacture, or distribute. However, some researchers and clinicians are working towards getting FDA approval for MDMA-assisted therapy in a clinical setting.

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health issues, it's important to seek professional help from a licensed therapist or counselor. While MDMA may show potential as a therapeutic tool in the future, it's important to approach it with caution and only under the guidance of a trained professional.

 What are the main types of eating disorders?

Eating disorders are a group of very serious mental diseases that can have a significant impact on both your mental and physical health. In fact, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, which means that the seriousness of these diseases cannot be understated.

At their core, eating disorders are defined by disturbances in your eating behaviors, as well as in your related thoughts and emotions, which manifest themselves in myriad ways, including, but not limited to:

Anorexia nervosa

This eating disorder typically develops in teenagers and young adults and affects girls more than boys. The hallmark of anorexia nervosa is an irrational fear of being overweight, to the point where the sufferer is dangerously thin.

Bulimia nervosa

Another common eating disorder, bulimia nervosa develops in younger men and women (more women) and it’s characterized by binge eating to the point of discomfort, at which time the sufferer may try and purge the food.

Binge eating disorder

As the name implies, a binge eating disorder causes you to eat large quantities of food in a short time. Unlike bulimia, there’s typically no purging behavior afterward.

Pica

With Pica, you crave and eat non-food substances, such as dirt, ice, soap, and paper.

Rumination disorder

With rumination, you regurgitate food soon after eating it to re-chew and swallow it again, or spit it out.

What are the signs of an eating disorder?

This question is difficult to sum up as each of the disorders is very different with their own unique signs and symptoms. That said, the most common red flags of an eating disorder may include the following:

·       Severely underweight

·       Avoidance of food

·       Obsessive behaviors surrounding food

·       Vomiting

·       Uncontrollable binge eating

·       Poor self-esteem

·       Body image problems

The bottom line is that eating disorders affect people in different ways, but they ultimately come down to abnormal or disturbed eating habits.

How are eating disorders treated?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for eating disorders as people come to them from every angle. The therapists understand that every patient is unique, with their own set of thoughts, emotions, and experiences, so they tailor a treatment plan to fits the patient, not the list of symptoms.

It’s important to note that the therapists work alongside nutritional experts and doctors in order to tackle the problem from every angle.

 Psychedelics are a class of psychoactive substances that produce profound changes in perception, mood, and thought processes. These substances can alter an individual's sense of time and space, as well as their perception of themselves and the world around them. Some of the most commonly used psychedelics include LSD, psilocybin (found in "magic mushrooms"), and DMT.

While psychedelics are often associated with recreational use and have a long history of use in spiritual and religious contexts, they have also been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. Psychedelic-assisted therapy involves the use of a psychedelic substance in conjunction with psychotherapy, with the goal of promoting emotional insight and facilitating personal growth.

It's important to note that the use of psychedelics carries risks, including the potential for psychological distress, adverse reactions, and long-lasting changes in perception or mood. Psychedelic use should only be done under the guidance of a trained healthcare professional in a safe and controlled environment.

At Allen's Family Counseling Center, we prioritize evidence-based and safe treatment approaches for substance use and mental health concerns. While we recognize the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, we also caution individuals against engaging in unsupervised or recreational use of these substances. We are committed to providing compassionate and personalized care to all individuals seeking support for substance use and mental health concerns.