A recent study by Dr Hugh Garavan and his team at Trinity College Dublin have shown that an individual's brain determines whether he or she develops a cocaine addiction or whether it can be used occasionally. Scans revealed the drug affects the pre-frontal cortex region of the brain commonly referred to as your 'willpower'. This explains why some are better able to resist addiction and possibly, why some people are unsuccessful with standard drug rehab programs.



How It Works

The study compared scans of several cocaine users' brains that were taken while working on the computer. It was discovered that the drug increased the level of activity that normally occurs in the willpower region of the brain. After comparing the scans, researchers discovered that those who were addicted had a different brain structure than those who used the drug occasionally.

It is not known if this variance of structure existed previously, but it does explain why a standard drug rehab is ineffective. Emotions are not the only cause of substance use and abuse. With each individual having a different level of dependency, customized cocaine treatment is the only answer.

Changes In Cocaine Treatment

This new information proves that cocaine treatment needs to focus on more than just emotional and moral causes and moves it towards an actual medical treatment. The drug literally changes the way the brain works. Drugs designed to cure addiction on a physical level may also be a possibility for the future. This may even lead to having the needed medications covered under existing health insurance plans making treatment available to more people who need it.

Causes Of Relapse

In order to be successful, long-term treatment is necessary to combat this problem. Drug rehab needs to include teaching the affected individual how to recognized future problems before they start and understanding how to control their impulses.

As an added benefit, this may even be able to prevent different kinds of addictions such as gambling from forming in the future. When the substance's victim can recognize the signs and learn how to avoid falling back into the same trap, it helps them to end the initial addiction while lowering the risk of relapse.

This new information relieves a portion of the stigma associated with substance issues. The changes in the brain reinforce the fact that being an addict is not just a matter of 'needing to grow up' or 'dealing with the problems at hand'. Imagine the relief addicts would have if taking a pill everyday would mean they wouldn't have to go back to drug rehab.

A new pill and improved care could help many users reenter society and the workforce since the medication may work as an added assurance for employers and others working with a recovering addict. It would not guarantee the success of a cocaine treatment, but it could significantly improve one's chances.