What happens to your immune system when you use cocaine? Not only does cocaine use lead to physical and mental illnesses, but it also increases the risk of contracting infections and diseases. Because chronic cocaine usage suppresses the body’s immune system, the addict is at significant risk for many conditions and diseases. People are highly vulnerable to illness and disease when the immune system is not working correctly. Deciding to stop using cocaine is the best choice the addict can make.
What Is the Function of the Immune System?
The immune system’s job is to keep the body from contracting infections and diseases. It consists of cells, tissue, and organs that all work harmoniously to protect the body from viruses and bacteria by producing antibodies. These antibodies attack the invader by attaching to it and destroying it.
What happens to your immune system when you use cocaine? The immune system does not protect the body as it needs to. White blood cells, bone marrow, tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs are all working to fight off bacteria, fungi, parasites, and more. A suppressed immune system due to heavy cocaine use can lead to sickness and even death.
The Effects of Cocaine on the Immune System
Cocaine addiction can profoundly impact your immune system. Substance abuse weakens your body’s ability to fight off infection and disease. Chronic cocaine use will halt the production of antibodies. What happens to your immune system when you use cocaine? Even the common cold can have severe effects, while long-term health problems like HIV and cancer can occur.
What happens to your immune system when you use cocaine? The immune system is weakened and vulnerable, so minor diseases can be life-threatening. The immune system is compromised, and the liver’s functionality is greatly affected. The liver clears out harmful toxins and chemicals, and liver failure can cause death.
The Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Unfortunately, just a one-time use of cocaine can lead to an addiction. A potent and addictive drug, cocaine increases the risk of physical and mental health issues. What happens to your immune system when you use cocaine? Cocaine use damages the immune system and keeps it from protecting the body. Cocaine usage can change the brain, making it more difficult to stop using it. If you believe your loved one, friend, or yourself is addicted to cocaine, it’s essential to recognize the signs of cocaine addiction.
- After experiencing adverse effects, such as losing work, family, or friends – continue to use cocaine.
- Extreme urges to use cocaine
- Inability to control usage
- Finding increased time and money used on cocaine
Detrimental Effects of Cocaine Addiction
What happens to your immune system when you use cocaine? Cocaine addicts who have contracted HIV or hepatitis have a very high risk of infections, complications of liver function, and liver failure. Cocaine addiction can cause dehydration, exhaustion, and skin irritations. Finally, cocaine use during pregnancy is hazardous to the unborn child. The cocaine then affects the baby’s immune system, leading to complications and a lifetime of health risks.
Treatment and Recovery from Cocaine Addiction
It is vital to the addict’s continued health to enter detox and end the addiction. Detox from cocaine is very challenging and dangerous. It is best to detox in a medical supervision program with twenty-four-hour care. What happens to your immune system when you use cocaine? When you stop using, the body can begin to recover, including the immune system.
Because cocaine affects dopamine in the brain, the addict cannot feel happy or pleasure. When cocaine overloads the brain chemistry, the user thinks that healthy activities involving pleasure are pointless. Therefore, the addict must understand treatment and recovery are possible. In addition to what happens to your immune system when you use cocaine, most of the withdrawal symptoms include
- Emotional or Mental Symptoms
- Sleepiness or exhaustion
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Irritability or Agitation
- Severe Cravings for Cocaine
After completion of the detox program; addiction treatment can begin. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has a successful outcome for the individual, and group therapy and family counseling are highly beneficial. Holistic therapies, when available, are other options when desired and if the center offers additional therapies. What happens to your immune system when you use cocaine? The damage to the body remains, but the body can begin to heal once addiction ends.
While you can recover from what happens to your immune system when you use cocaine, some therapies can address brain function. Restoring healthy brain function is vital to recovery. CBT also works to repair mental processing skills. The addict must learn how to process emotions and feelings healthily. Decision-making skills need work as well. Learning lifestyle changes to live a sober life is the primary goal of treatment.
Find Help for Cocaine Addiction in Tennessee
Tennessee Valley Recovery is familiar with the difficulties involved with cocaine addiction treatment. We understand how hesitant you are about starting rehab, but we have experience with the detox of cocaine. Our staff is encouraging and empathetic with those feeling fragile and fearful after detox. Tennessee Valley Recovery helps prevent relapse with every opportunity available. Contact us today.