Stress Tends to Play a Part in Cocaine Relapse

Is it possible that stress can lead to cocaine abuse or is it the other way around? According to the results in recent mouse studies, the stress-evoked changes in circuits that regulate serotonin in certain parts of the brain can precipitate a low mood and a relapse in cocaine-seeking.

Science Daily recently published a release that examined the findings of this study.

“The impetus for this research was our interest in how stress alters the brain’s cell receptors and protein signals in ways that lead to mood changes, depression, anxiety, and drug seeking,” said Dr. Michael Bruchas, acting instructor of pharmacology at the University of Washington (UW). The senior author was Dr. Charles Chavkin, the Allan and Phyllis Treuer Professor of Pharmacology and director of the UW Center for Drug Addiction Research.

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Former Drug Addict Finds Solace in Triathlons

Eddie Freas, 33, has found a different way to fight his 20-year addiction to alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine—he started training for and entering triathlons. “I feel better when I’m working out,” Freas told CNN’s Madison Park. “It does wonders for the mind. The reason I started running—it was a switch that went off in my head. I started feeling positive and feeling great about myself.”

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Tips for Relapse Prevention

If you are a recovering alcoholic or substance abuser, you know that relapse is a not-uncommon occurrence. While it’s important to recognize this fact, there are things you can do proactively to prevent falling into relapse.

• Identify high-risk situations – You know your trigger situations – being with certain friends or groups, or particular locations such as a former hangout (bar, restaurant, sporting location, etc.). Make a list of them on paper. Devise a plan with back-up strategies for how you can deal with these high-risk situations in advance. That way, when you find yourself in one, you’ll automatically know what to do. This confidence of already knowing your “escape” plan will help you take the positive, necessary steps so you don’t relapse.

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