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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
The four hardest drugs to quit change the brain’s chemical structure by messing with the production and absorption of dopamine or endorphins. Addiction to these drugs disrupts regions in the brain that are responsible for reward, motivation, learning, judgement and memory.Changes to your brain can become fixed with regular use of the substance as drug dependency deepens. We look at the hardest drugs to quit, how the drug works, signs of abuse and what are your treatment options.4 drugs that are the hardest to quitCocaineHeroinMethamphetaminesBenzodiazepinesCocaineCocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that causes an intense rush of pleasure when swallowed, injected or crushed and snorted. Stimulants temporarily increase alertness and energy which is why they’re called uppers. Amphetamines are another type of stimulant drug that has the same effect as cocaine.How cocaine worksCocaine itself is not highly addictive but once you become addicted, it’s the most difficult stimulant drug to stop using. Cocaine changes the dopamine and serotonin receptors so that your neural system responds to the substance. Overstimulated dopamine and serotonin receptors are what cause “emotional blunting”.Basically, this is where you stop responding to neurotransmitters that are naturally produced by your brain. Heavy cocaine users go from the physical and emotional high to crushing depression, anxiety, aggression and agitation. This is known as the “crash” when the cocaine effect wears off. The up-and-down effects of cocaine on your neural system is what leads to severe psychological and emotional dependence on the drug.Signs of cocaine abuseShort-term: exhaustion, depression, anxiety, apathy, irritability, nightmares, insomnia, poor healthLong-term : paranoia, hostility, racing heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatureRecommended treatment for cocaine addictionGoing ‘cold turkey’ where you stop using cocaine on your own is not recommended if you are a heavy user. The withdrawal symptoms are harsh and you shouldn’t try to handle them on your own.First you need to be admitted for a medical detox. Anti-depressants and beta blockers like Propranolol are often used to help with severe withdrawal symptoms.Then preferably, you should go to an inpatient addiction treatment center where you will receive an individualised addiction treatment plan that includes intensive therapy and dual diagnosis for a co-occurring mental disorder.HeroinHeroin contains morphine molecules which have a similar structure to endorphins that your body naturally produces in order to experience pleasure or pain. The morphine molecules enter your body and lock onto the endorphin-receptor sites on nerve endings in your brain. The process of binding to nerve-endings is rapid and leads to instant euphoria or pain relief (analgesia).How heroin worksThe morphine molecules in heroin are more powerful than your body’s own endorphins because the organism can actually control how much of the feel-good chemical hits your brain. In fact, the imposter endorphin does more for pain relief than making you feel good. The drawback of repeated use of heroin and the flood of imposter endorphins in your brain is addiction.Heroin is commonly injected, snorted or smoked for a mellow high, relaxation and instant relief from pain. Prescription drugs that mimic the opioid effects of heroin
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