Cocaine Addiction Research Paper

Cocaine, a highly addictive and euphoria-producing stimulant drug is derived from the cocoa leaves which are grown primarily in the South American countries of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Columbia. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug of abuse. The drug is categorized as a stimulant; According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, stimulants heighten the body’s activity, including increases in energy, alertness, heart rate, and blood pressure. Ancient South American cultures chewed the leaves to get their hearts racing and speed their breathing to counter the effects of living high in the mountains where the air is thin. Subsequently, later Inca and Aztec cultures also embraced the cocoa leave and would chew the leaves in everyday …show more content…
According to the Acadiana Addiction Center, there are several factors that can cause cocaine addictions, such as genetics, environmental, biological, and psychological. Genetically; research has shown that individuals who have relatives that have an addiction problem are more likely at develop an addiction. Biological; changes in the structure and function of the brain have been linked to addiction problems; for example, when dopamine levels are low an individual may abuse cocaine or other substances to maintain pleasurable feelings. Environmental; it has been proven through research that individuals who have come from unstable home environments have a greater chance f developing an addiction problem. Additionally, life stressors, for example, child abuse, the death of a loved one, or a traumatic event may drive individuals to turn to substance …show more content…
Dopamine is released by neurons in response to potential rewards and then recycled back into the cell that released it, thus shutting off the signal between neurons. Unfortunately, cocaine plays an adverse effect by preventing the dopamine from being recycled. This causes an excessive amount to build in the synapse. Also, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, when a buildup of dopamine occurs in the brain it causes constant stimulation of the brains sense of reward system, or a sense of euphoria until the effects of the drug wear off. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, tolerance develops quickly in the brain and the reward pathway becomes less sensitive to natural reinforcers and to the drug itself. Once the brain develops a tolerance for the drug users require more frequent and higher doses to achieve the high that was once achieved with lower