Coke, Blow and Yayo (Yeyo): Cocaine Addiction

leaves of a coca plant

Coke, Blow and Yayo (Yeyo): Cocaine Addiction

People sometimes romance the memory of the first time they used cocaine. The memories usually provide the perception of extra energy, the ability to drink more alcohol and increased focus, euphoric feelings, and the feeling of being powerful. The first time effect can never be replicated, so why do cocaine addict’s continue to try time and time again?

What is Cocaine and Where Does it Come From?

Cocaine is a stimulant extracted from the coca leaf that has a powerful impact on the central nervous system. Cocaine is fast acting and gives the user immediate extra energy, an increase in mental alertness and feelings of decreased fatigue. Cocaine initially makes an individual feel that nothing is impossible and that time is never-ending. It may be similar to the feeling that you had when you were young that the burden of adult responsibilities was not present.

Cocaine is a temporary vacation from reality for the user. The nature of cocaine creates the endless pursuit of the exhilarated feeling of its first-time use. You likely have ended up spending a lot of time, money, and effort chasing that initial high. This ultimately leads to a destructive cocaine addiction. In a drug rehab center, you will be able to address the negative consequences of your cocaine addiction and learn how to stop the seemingly endless cycle of addiction.

Why is Cocaine called yayo?

Yayo is the misspelled version of the word “llello” which character, Tony Montana, coined in the movie Scarface.

Why is cocaine addictive?

The initial brain and body response to cocaine does not seem harmful. The brain produces a powerful and an exhilarating euphoric effect when it is exposed to cocaine. Cocaine is addictive because:

  • Cocaine has a direct impact on your brain and central nervous system. Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are chemicals produced in the brain that are associated with ‘feeling good’. These chemicals are reabsorbed in your brain cells after their release. Cocaine blocks the reabsorbing process and creates an excess of dopamine in the space between the brain cells. The overload of dopamine in the brain creates an intense powerful feeling of euphoria, making cocaine use appealing and addictive.
  • Extra energy offers temporary relief from fatigue
  • Increased mental focus
  • Suppresses the appetite
  • Extremely elevated mood
  • Feeling of supremacy

When using cocaine, your thoughts and feelings are intense and rapid. You will neglect taking care of your basic needs such as staying hydrated and eating. Cocaine makes the person feel that he or she is invincible and that nothing bad can happen. This often leads to poor choices and risky behaviors.

Cocaine Detox: What goes up must come down….

There is a shocking impact on your psychological and physical functioning the day after abusing cocaine. The brain stores of dopamine eventually run out. The brain can’t produce enough dopamine to return to a normal mood. Your brain and body are now worn out and feels as if you have just run a marathon and you are emotionally drained. The brain’s natural functioning has been disrupted by cocaine use. It takes a couple days for the brain to return to normal chemical production. The depletion of these chemicals created by cocaine use causes depression. Withdrawal from cocaine presents the following symptoms:

  • Exhaustion coupled with an inability to sleep restfully
  • Anxiety/Nervousness
  • Paranoia
  • Guilt or remorse (money spent on cocaine or choices made while intoxicated)
  • Depression
  • Excessive sleep
  • Increased appetite

Depression or anxiety may incorrectly be seen as symptoms as mental health issues rather than the result of cocaine abuse. The physical, mental and social repercussions of abusing cocaine often lead people to seek drug treatment.

Physical Damage & Side Effects from Abusing Cocaine

Cocaine abuse is physically damaging to your body and brain in any quantity. Physical symptoms of cocaine abuse can worsen over time or they can be immediate. These side effects may include:

  1. Heart attack or stroke which may cause sudden death even in young people.
  2. Severe bowel damage (whether snorting or rubbing it on the gums of your mouth, the cocaine is swallowed destroying intestinal tissue).
  3. Abdominal pain and nausea.
  4. Increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
  5. Loss of sense of smell, nosebleeds, problems swallowing, hoarseness, and a chronically runny nose.
  6. Mixing alcohol and cocaine is the most common cause of drug-combination related deaths.

The pattern of cocaine use progresses over time and the cycle of addiction becomes more evident with use. Using cocaine is a risky gamble at best. It can cause permanent damage to your brain and body, and may result in death.

Stopping Cocaine Addiction

Both psychological and physical symptoms are created when undergoing cocaine detox. It is important to address the physical, mental and social aspects of cocaine addiction when seeking help for drug addiction.

  • The brain needs time to adjust back to healthy functioning without the trauma of cocaine use. While attempting to stop using cocaine, the addict is at an increased risk for relapse. The addict’s brain is depleted from the ‘feel good’ chemicals and physically he or she drained. A drug rehab center helps decrease the opportunity for the addict to get cocaine during this time.
  • The psychological effects of cocaine use such as anxiety, depression, and paranoia make recovery time longer. This emotional turbulence will lead to a strong desire to self medicate. Cravings for cocaine produce unwanted feelings and impulse to use again. Support staff at a drug rehab center will help you manage cravings, impulses and unwanted feelings without relapsing on cocaine.

A drug rehab center offers a safe environment for you to end cocaine addiction. The process of cocaine drug detox is short. However, the intense cravings to use cocaine make a drug rehab center the safest place to begin the process of recovery. The counseling component in a drug rehab includes:

  1. Individual counseling
  2. Group therapy
  3. Educational lectures
  4. Relapse prevention groups
  5. After care plan
  6. Ongoing alumni support
  7. Family counseling
  8. Help with employment and legal problems