Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1111790

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Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by amd on August 20, 2020, at 12:23:08

I know that over time cocaine can have seriously negative effects on both the brain and body.

I am usually focused on the mental side of things. But what can one do to help recover the physical side -- particularly any heart or other cardiovascular damage done after years of cocaine abuse.

Any pointers?

amd

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by Lamdage22 on August 20, 2020, at 13:02:01

In reply to Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by amd on August 20, 2020, at 12:23:08

Maybe some DHA from algae oil? The brain consists of alot of DHA. Most importantly: Dont do it again. I see the hooked folks near the trainstation and in the redlight district. Eerie enough to never do it!

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by linkadge on August 20, 2020, at 13:35:50

In reply to Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by amd on August 20, 2020, at 12:23:08

Believe it or not, cocaine alone is not significantly neurotoxic. Coming off of it will make your brain feel like it's fried, but with time a lot of those symptoms will improve. That is, unless you have an underlying mental illness (for which cocaine might be masking). Cocaine can affect the cardiovascular system via increasing your blood pressure and heart rate.

First off, make sure your parameters are good (blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol etc). A health diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and fibre will help keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control. As for repair, talk to your doctor about an exercise program that fits your current health. For example, you might start with walking, and then increase cardio as indicated. Something like co-q10 might be useful for restoring mitochondrial energy in the heart. Antioxidants like the ones found in blueberries can help spur the formation of new blood vessels which can help improve oxygenation. In some situations, plaque build up in the arteries can be reversed, but it takes some significant diet / lifestyle changes.

There is a lot you can do to improve your overall cardiac health, but little of it will work if your addiction relapses. I would focus first on eating well and taking steps to help get your mental health under control in a durable way.

SAMe is a supplement that can quickly improve depression (increasing dopamine synthesis) and may be good for the cardiovascular system as well.


Linkadge

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by amd on August 20, 2020, at 16:06:31

In reply to Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by linkadge on August 20, 2020, at 13:35:50

Thank you for the detailed response!

Luckily my resting heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol are within normal range at present, and I get a decent amount of exercise. So I'm off to a good start there.

As to my diet ... um, yeah, there's certainly room for improvement. I'll try some of your suggestions.

amd

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by Christ_empowered on August 20, 2020, at 16:37:02

In reply to Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by amd on August 20, 2020, at 12:23:08

Orthomolecular! www.doctoryourself.com

Ideally, one should have a doctor approve supplements, do labs, etc. Personally, I don't take the niacin form of B3. I go for niacinamide.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction » amd

Posted by linkadge on August 20, 2020, at 18:48:38

In reply to Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by amd on August 20, 2020, at 16:06:31

Yeah, just take it slow and make small goals for improvement. A pristine diet can offset the risk factors for many other bad habits. That being said, cocaine isn't something you want to do on a regular basis for long periods.

See a doctor or psychiatrist if you're noticing longer term difficulty with moods. Also, ask yourself what symptoms may have led you to use or relapse. For some people, it's low energy, for other's it may be apathy. These are issues that can be addressed with diet, exercise, supplements and, if needed, medications.

Linkadge

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by undopaminergic on August 21, 2020, at 3:27:40

In reply to Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by amd on August 20, 2020, at 12:23:08

> I know that over time cocaine can have seriously negative effects on both the brain and body.
>

Cocaine does not have the neurotoxicity as amphetamines, but it does produce certain neural adaption that are largely negative in most cases. It can also cause brain damage by means of ischemia (due to vasospasm owing to noradrenaline reuptake inhibition).

With respect to addiction, the most important factor is the psyche. Specifically, an intense high leads to the formation of vivid memories of the high, and these memories will typically lead to craving.

> I am usually focused on the mental side of things. But what can one do to help recover the physical side -- particularly any heart or other cardiovascular damage done after years of cocaine abuse.
>
> Any pointers?

As far as the heart is concerned, both beta1-adrenergic blockers and beta2-agonists are beneficial.

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by undopaminergic on August 21, 2020, at 3:36:09

In reply to Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by Lamdage22 on August 20, 2020, at 13:02:01

> Maybe some DHA from algae oil? The brain consists of alot of DHA. Most importantly: Dont do it again. I see the hooked folks near the trainstation and in the redlight district. Eerie enough to never do it!
>

Stimulant usage can be beneficial. I've had some of the best days in my life (after depression set in) on desoxypipradrol and ethylphenidate. Wipes away sucidal ideation and apathy in a matter of minutes! The main difference of these drugs to cocaine is the short half-life of the latter. Nevertheless, Freud used cocaine successfully as an antidepressant.

A problem specific to cocaine as opposed to many other stimulants, is its high price. Addiction can quickly ruin your economy (well, unless you're rich).

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by sigismund on August 21, 2020, at 14:25:22

In reply to Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by undopaminergic on August 21, 2020, at 3:36:09

Even memantine might help a little?

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by sigismund on August 21, 2020, at 18:10:10

In reply to Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by sigismund on August 21, 2020, at 14:25:22

Coca leaves? Chew them?

I didn't like crack at all. I don't know what has happened to cocaine, whether it is my age or the prohibition of the precursors. I liked it once. But coca leaves....great and just about harmless.

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by undopaminergic on August 22, 2020, at 0:26:19

In reply to Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by sigismund on August 21, 2020, at 14:25:22

> Even memantine might help a little?

Absolutely. It does have the potential to induce a manic-like condition, so you may have to take care to control the impulsiveness.

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction » undopaminergic

Posted by sigismund on August 22, 2020, at 1:38:18

In reply to Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by undopaminergic on August 22, 2020, at 0:26:19

I just take 5mg in the morning, but it's OK.

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction

Posted by undopaminergic on August 22, 2020, at 1:51:51

In reply to Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction » undopaminergic, posted by sigismund on August 22, 2020, at 1:38:18

> I just take 5mg in the morning, but it's OK.

10 mg was enough for me at first, but the last few doses were in the range of 40-60 mg. If the (desired) effects diminish, it's important to raise the dose adequately.

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction » undopaminergic

Posted by sigismund on August 22, 2020, at 17:20:01

In reply to Re: Approaches to reverse damage of cocaine addiction, posted by undopaminergic on August 22, 2020, at 1:51:51

Yes, I read many of the threads about memantine here.


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