The Physiology of Cocaine Detoxification

Cocaine detox is a very important step in the recovery process, and although it can be a scary prospect, with the proper medications and assistance, detox is nothing to fear. With an evidence based approach in which tried and true treatments are used, you will be able to get through cocaine detox without experiencing some of the painful and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that are often associated with the detox process.

At The Canyon, we provide patients with the tools they need to properly and safely recover from their addictions and go on to lead healthy, normal lives.

Cocaine Detoxification Options

Although many organizations claim to have quick and easy detox methods, unless they offer a range of therapeutic treatment methods so that each person can have a fully customized detox and treatment experience, you could be putting your health and your recovery at risk.

You should remember that cocaine detox isn't the be-all and end-all solution for cocaine addiction. Once detox is complete, cocaine addiction treatment can begin, an absolute must for a successful recovery from addiction. Unfortunately, many people who go in for treatment leave after they finish detoxing, which usually ends in relapse within the first few months.

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Cocaine Detox Physiology

When cocaine enters the body, it travels to the brain where it interferes with the body's natural pleasure/reward process. In normal operation, certain nerve cells in the brain secrete dopamine in response to events that take place in the world. For example, if you were to take a test and get a perfect score, the good feeling you would get after seeing your result would be because of this dopamine secretion. Once the dopamine has been secreted, it is absorbed by other nerve cells which would give you this feeling of pleasure. The dopamine is then released back into the brain to be reabsorbed by the original cells that secreted it so that it can be re-used at a later time.

Cocaine interferes with this process by causing a massive amount of dopamine to be secreted at once, and then prevents it from being reabsorbed into the nerve cells that originally secreted it. Because the dopamine is not reabsorbed, it is not available to create those happy feelings. Once the cocaine, wears off, you can sink into a major depression as a result. In order to feel better, you end up having to resort to more cocaine. Should you choose not to stop taking cocaine, it takes a long time for the dopamine to be reabsorbed, and in the meantime, you are left feeling sad, depressed and tired. These symptoms can last for as long as a week, and the more cocaine a person uses, the more intense and longer lasting the symptoms become. Trying to quit cocaine "cold turkey" is rarely successful because the withdrawal symptoms are so severe, but with the help of proper cocaine detoxification treatments, patients can reduce the pain of withdrawal through medications and other treatments.

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Cocaine Detox at The Canyon

The core of the Canyon's Healing Life Program is designed with the goal of helping you develop a positive relationship with yourself and others while you reclaim your personal goals and dreams. If you or someone you know is suffering from cocaine addiction, The Canyon can help. Contact us today for more information.

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