Bees May Aid in Cocaine Research

When we think of laboratory animals that are the subjects of experiments, many people think of guinea pigs or rats, but who would have thought that bees would make a perfect group of subjects?

Entomologist Andrew Barron of Macquarie University in Sydney did a study that was published last month in the Journal of Experimental Biology that focused on honeybees. Barron and his team found through this study that bees' response to cocaine parallels that of humans, a rather significant finding, according to the scientific world.


Cocaine's effect on honeybees

Unlike many other insects that are typically killed by the neurotoxin, cocaine, honeybees actually feel rewarded by it. Barron's team taught the bees to forage at a supply of sugar water, and then began to place small drops of cocaine on the bees' backs while they were foraging, and then stood back and watched their reaction.

Bees normally do a "waggle dance" after collecting pollen to communicate the food source to the rest of the bees. But after receiving the cocaine, these bees danced more enthusiastically than normal, which seemed to show that they overestimated the value of the sugar water. These bees weren't doing a typical waggle dance, they were telling their fellow bees that there was something really good out there that they needed to try. The cocaine affected the bees' reward center, causing them to become addicted just as humans do.

Withdrawal symptoms in bees 

Barron then tested the bees for withdrawal symptoms and found that while most bees could be taught to distinguish between lemon and vanilla scents, those bees that had been on cocaine and then had the cocaine supply taken away had trouble learning the task. Humans also suffer mental impairment during cocaine withdrawal.

Research benefiting humans

Some of us might be wondering if this experiment has an application in the human world, and the good news is that it does. The most basic knowledge researchers are hoping to find through experiments like these is how cocaine works in the human brain.

Humans and honeybees are both very much driven by rewards, and they both are altered in similar ways by cocaine. By studying the effects of cocaine on honeybees, researchers hope to gather information about the effects on humans also. Scientists are hoping to identify the bees' neural pathways that are targeted by cocaine in order to better understand the mechanisms involved in human addiction.

Could it be that these honeybees hold the key to our addiction solutions? Only time will tell what all we can learn from these little insects, but the task of finding out could be a tedious one, and one that could take a while. These scientists will continue to make steps toward preventing addiction and hopefully one day we will have a solution.

Sources :

Maugh II, Thomas Honeybees Can get Hooked on Cocaine December 27, 2008
Barron, Andrew, et. al Effects of Cocaine on Honey Bee Dance Behaviour December 26, 2008
Knight, Kathryn Honey Bees Succumb to Cocaine's Allure

Vaccines To Stop Cocaine Addiction Being Tested

Once you are hooked on drugs, it will take a time to recover. Withdrawal symptoms and a sense of euphoria will always be at hand for those who have been victims of drug addiction and wanting to change.

But with the introduction of a cocaine vaccine, all the pains and burdens of a recovering patient will soon be over. Recently, a couple, who were both doctors, presented their innovative cocaine vaccine, which is believed to be the first in the market that will ease the treatments for drug addicts.


Baylor College of Medicine researchers Dr. Tom Kosten, a psychiatry professor and his wife Therese, a psychologist and neuroscientist in Houston joined forces in creating a remedy for cocaine addiction. Dr. Kosten said with their discovery people who have the eagerness to stop taking cocaine will be helped by the new vaccine.

As the vaccine is injected to the patients, the victims will no longer feel the special "highness" and the satisfaction that they used to experience should they be tempted to take again prohibited drugs. Most will surely refrain from taking in cocaine as they will be losing interest in what they used to take.
Based on initial clinical studies, the vaccine attacks the immune system. This results in the inability of the body system to recognize the cocaine taken in, whether cocaine or other variants, responsible in stimulating brain activity and generating a sense of highness among drug addicts.

The vaccine, according to the researchers, inactivates the molecules of cocaine and prevents them from getting into the brain. As this happens the drug-taker will not experience euphoria or a special feeling of highness.

Dr. David Eagleman, a neuroscientist of the same hospital, said this is a great discovery since most scientists for the past decades were analyzing how to block the pathways of the drugs like cocaine going to the brain. But with the new vaccine, it is a solution to that long problem.

The vaccine has already been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for trial, which will be tested in spring. If this will work, this will be helpful in rehabilitating the conditions of the drug patients. But critics are saying this may not work in some patients.

Read more of his blogs at http://maynard_delfin.instablogs.com

Community-Based Drug Addiction Treatment Center

You can find numerous community based drug addiction treatment center programs that are operating in various regions of the United States of America. In addition to general health care centers, there are several other centers giving focus on drug addiction treatment programs like state hospitals, treatment clinics, and de-addiction centers. Some of the treatment centers are managed by non government, voluntary, and non-profit organizations. The community-based addiction treatment programs are also serving addicts residing in different locations in the US.


The main objective of these community-based addiction programs is to reinforce the relationship of an addict with his family and community. These drug addiction treatment centers pursue different avenues of treatment like allopathy, ayurveda, naturopathy, yoga and homeopathy coupled with several kinds of psycho therapy to motivate the patient and instill a strong determination to fight against the addiction and regain control over his/her situation. The centers offer a variety of rehabilitation services for treatment against cocaine addiction, heroin addiction and methadone addiction.

If an addict wants to get completely cured from his addiction then he should opt for the appropriate treatment program that provides the favorable result he is seeking. The involvement of the family members or close friends in the treatment process and will have a positive effect on an addict. In order to promote these initiatives, there are numerous de-addiction camps organized regularly at the community level throughout the country by several voluntary associations.

Basically, these camps would provide counselling, rehabilitation facilities and primary medical care, especially for addicts in these localities. These camps create therapeutic communities and awareness regarding the options they have amongst the addicts. Apart from this, these camps conduct private meetings for addicts, where they learn from other addicted individuals as to how to lead a normal life and gain freedom from the chains of drug addiction.

Community based treatment centers are effective as they target a focused group of individuals who are addicts or associated with someone who is. They are able to provide solutions more effectively as they have a basic knowledge of the community and the circumstances that could influence individuals to become addicts in that particular area. Generally these treatment centers include a variety of services ranging from detoxification to aftercare programs that effectively cater to the needs of an addict. This treatment model includes non specialist services that can support and guide an addict during emergency situations.
The primary goal of community based drug addiction treatment center is as follows:

•  Encourage behavioural change in a community.

•   Active involvement of local community members and organizations in establishing a community based network service for empowerment of addicts,

• Integration of rehabilitation and drug treatment programs into community health,

• Accountability and sustainability of community,

The community based drug addiction treatment center focus on encouraging the addicts to cultivate their natural instincts to manage their drug addiction and associated problems within a community. The diversified service offered by treatment centers would assure the best possible result for people suffering from drug addiction.

The treatment service is available for an addict when and where it is required. The services can be provided in social settings like schools, colleges, local clinics, private homes, or other friendly environment.

However, the services may be limited to as they will not have the adequate resources or funding. In some regions, specific population like youth and others lack treatment options. So in order to provide basic medical care for addicts the government authorities in conjunction with voluntary organizations have incorporated a better treatment program for addicts. Under this project every drug addict can gain access to quality treatment.

Crack Addiction - A Harsh Reality

There is nothing pretty about crack cocaine. Crack cocaine use is a growing problem in inner cities and it is moving to the suburbs. Crack abuse affects society on many levels. The high is intense and the person high on crack feels up and motivated but it doesn't last long. The viciousness of this addiction sets in soon after the addict runs out of dope or the money to get it.

People who sell crack often sell it to support their habit. There are people who sell it to make money and do not use it. They are the ones driving luxury cars and living in high rent districts who seem to have no means of work or support.
Both types of dealers are predators on society in that they are a vital link to the growing crack problem. They will accept stolen goods as well as money as payment. They stand on street corners, entrances to all night mini marts, and use cell phones to stay connected with their buyers. If they get arrested they are usually back out on the streets selling their wares before the ink gets dry on the warrant for their arrest.

The addict usually starts out using occasionally but, they do get out of control quickly. They exhaust their families savings, max out credit cards, and spend most of their income on it rather than paying their bills. I have even heard that people use their food stamps and welfare checks to buy crack. They will also steal from family members, friends and have been known to resort to breaking and entering into businesses and homes to find small valuables that can be either traded for dope or pawned for money to get dope. Once a person is hooked their life focus becomes how can I get more.

People who use crack are full of shame and fear. They are in a trap that normal people just can't understand. Although their behavior may be criminal, we must remember in dealing with people with this problem that they are human and are in pain. They use crack to not feel this pain and shame.

Many families have had expensive planned professional interventions for their loved ones only to see them go right back out as soon as they get out of rehab. It is very heart breaking. If you have a minor child that is using this drug I feel as a parent it is necessary to try and reach them with rehab and whatever other resources are available to you. You may be able to reach them when they are young.

Often times family members and friends have no choice but to ban the person who uses crack from their lives in order to protect themselves and their property from the addicted loved one. Many Grandparents end up caring for their grand children because the crack addicted parent can't feel a sense of responsibility for their children.If your loved one is an adult they are much harder to reach if they have been using for more than 6 months. In recovery circles it is said that in order for someone to wake up and realize that they need to get clean that the pain of using has to become greater than the pain of not using. What looks like a bottom to a regular person may be Mt. Everest to a person who is using any substance. Depending on the addict and how far gone they are death maybe the only bottom they ever reach.

Women as well as men will trade demeaning sexual acts to get high. Prostitution is not uncommon among crack users. Many women resort to it so they can stay high.

The children of crack addicts are the most innocent and vulnerable victims of crack use in that at least they will be neglected left alone at all hours while their parents are out prostituting or committing other crimes to get drugs it is also not unheard of that children will be used for prostitution or actually sold to get drugs. When and if intervention on behalf of the children of crack addicts is implemented much damage has already been done to the child.

Although crack is said to not be physically addictive and withdrawal symptoms are not near as sever as withdrawal from alcohol and heroin the psychological addiction is very hard for an addict to break. It is my understanding that most crack addicts get clean on their own and that forced rehab can often cause deep resentments that give the addict the excuse they need to keep using. Family members often try to find help for their addicted loved ones and end up getting crushed in the process. It seems addiction takes on a life of its own it is powerful, cunning, and baffling.

Law enforcement doesn't seem to have any handle on the problem. Many people want help but cannot afford it. It is said that if the addict does not want help there is very little chance that rehab will help. Sometimes being put in prison does help an addict but more times than not prison does not deter use because drugs are available in prison and I think it is totally ironic that the prison guards are bring the stuff in and have a side business of selling drug to the inmates that often times yields an income that is greater than their salary.

There is a theory that addicts are born not made. It is believable that their brains have low levels of certain hormones.  When a person with this condition comes into contact with a substance that raises the hormone level to what for the rest of us would be a normal level they loose all control and making it very difficult to want to go back to their own low although still normal levels. The people who are working with this theory believe the cure for addiction is to help the addict learn to live with their natural born hormone levels rather that try to alter them in anyway. I believe this is a good theory. Everyone else has to accept them self the way they are why not an addict?

Nobody plans on becoming a drug addict. I hope better solutions for a cure come about for societies sake and the sake of the addicts and the families that fall apart.
Thank you for reading this. God bless.
Lisa Roberts
http://www.lisasgift.com

Cocaine Rehab-Making a Humanitarian Statement

Cocaine rehab has become a humanitarian statement according to Shared Responsibility. Shared Responsibility is a Colombia-led initiative for illicit-drug producing and consuming countries to work on shared solutions to the threat that cocaine production, trafficking and abuse poses to the world. By informing the public about the social and environmental effects of cocaine, it may give impetus to those who want to quit cocaine and to those who are thinking of trying it.


While the majority of cocaine is shipped to the US, the European market is expanding. That is why Shared Responsibility has brought its message to Europe.

Cocaine rehab treatment services unfortunately, are poorly developed across Europe. While in the US where cocaine rehab treatment is easily available, the number of admissions to treatment has gone down. In 1994 treatment admissions for cocaine addiction was 297,408 when the population was 262 million, and in 2004, treatment admissions went down to 256,387 and the population expanded to 293 million. Between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005, the US Federal Government sentenced 10,838 for cocaine-related charges of which 97% involved trafficking.

Enhanced treatment programs and curbing cocaine trafficking are really helping. However, we can hope that informing the public about the people that are hurt throughout the process of cocaine production, trafficking and abuse and the consequences of the environmental devastation will also bring down cocaine use, especially now that information is more readily available with today's technology.

What kind of information would be able to dissuade someone from using cocaine? As we have heard in the past, the very personal complications are usually the first ones thrown at us. We usually hear about the people who use cocaine will talk a lot, become restless, have irritability, their heart rate and blood pressure increase, and they have delusions and antisocial behavior.

They become nervous, fearful, and paranoid. Their central nervous system becomes depressed, and they experience nausea, fatigue, depression and insomnia. To some people this would be enough information to stay away. Another aspect would be the financial future of such an under taking. The problem with this is that people really don't think that they would throw their money away that should be spent on normal things until it's pointed out to them and by that time it's to late. Hey, what is $50 a day, or $100 a day, or $500 for the weekend.

Six months later, they cannot even tally up what was spent. Chilling. The other part of the financial discussion that is never broached due to etiquette has to do with all of the cocaine/crack users and dealers that end up resorting to crime. Some of the common ones are assault and robbery, theft, home invasions, auto theft, domestic violence and prostitution.

Now if you would have told any of these addicts prior to them ever getting high that if they ever tried cocaine even once, they would end up stealing, threatening or even hurting and killing somebody. Well they would have looked at you and said, "Are you mad! I would never ever do any thing criminal to someone else. That's just sick!" Ah, life before cocaine, it made sense.

Maybe you just have to catch the right person, with the right piece of info, at just the right time. If someone is repulsed by war for any reason then you could inform him or her that for each dollar of cocaine sold in the streets of the world, 10 to 15 cents end up in the hands of Columbia's armed groups to continue financing the war. Moreover, in the last 4 years 3,400 assassinations occurred in Columbia by terrorist groups financed by drug trafficking. If you know someone that is, environmentally concerned for the future of our planet you could say that in order to produce 2.2 pounds of cocaine you need to use 440 pounds of environmentally harmful chemicals. In addition, in the last three years 429,954 acres of forest have been burned and logged in order to grow coca.

When your friend, who cares so much about the rights of children, thinks about going to try something new to unwind, you can explain how seven thousand children have been recruited by force by groups financed by trafficking. Moreover, that in Columbia accidents by land mines are taking place at a rate of four a day and that 65% of them are children, of course, the reason for the landmines is to protect the coca plants and the armed groups.

For those that need to have it served up large you can tell them that in Columbia, due to the criminal activity of the cocaine trade, two million people have been forced to leave their homes, these rural poor have fled to urban areas where the murder count in 2003 was 30,000. In addition, several Indian tribes are now close to extinction.

Crack Cocaine Abusers - Why They Lied to You Again

Crack cocaine abusers and liars, so the families and associates of crack users tell me, are one and the same. Is it possible to remove the lies while cocaine is still being abused? Hope I don't have to answer that question for you.
Yet, that is the situation I am put in time and time again as a drug rehab consultant. The family or spouse calls me and tells me: "I love him dearly, but I just don't know if I can trust him anymore. He keeps telling me he's going to quit and then I catch him again. It's getting so that I don't believe anything he tells me."
Drug abusers can be so mentally bankrupt they can't even pay attention. They stare at you and agree with everything you say, then can't follow through to do any of it.

The above is a more common happening than could be believed. I'll put it this way, that's how nearly every conversation started that I had with a client calling me. After a while, I found myself giving the same advice over and over. I trust this advice will help you and a loved one out.

Crack Cocaine Quick Facts

In Atlanta, GA about 50% of those arrested for crime test positive for cocaine
In Toronto & Vancouver Canada crack is a major drug of choice of homeless and poverty stricken
Smoking crack cocaine stimulates the brain faster and more intensively than regular cocaine, but people develop a FAST tolerance to the drug and can never achieve the high they just had
Paranoia, anger, hostility, anxiety are common effects of crack

Heart attack, seizures, tooth decay, skin eruptions, illness, stroke are potential effects of crack use

Anti-social behavior is possible of a suspected crack abuser. Minimally, a crack abuser will be associating with many criminal elements of society. And the cravings can lead to anti-social activities. I'm not just talking about drug use. I'm talking about infidelity, selling oneself, violent crime, property crime, drug dealing.
Something quite important to remember in all this disaster is that the loving person you once knew, before the drug abuse and the lies, is buried underneath a pile of regret, apathy, lies and artificial personalities. That means crack abusers often become someone else on their road down addiction.

Remember when they were fun to be with, trusting and trustworthy? When a tender moment with your loved one meant something? Maybe they've been cutting away for a long while and you have to go way back to recall some affection. I've found most, but not all people are basically acting on good motivation.
When someone fails themselves, when they violate their own integrity or personal code of honor, they begin a downward spiral sped up with crack cocaine abuse. Often times people will feel degraded by their own mis-actions. If a solution isn't forthcoming and within an abusers ability to grasp, they'll continue to abuse crack.
Mostly, families and loved ones of crack cocaine abusers err by not preparing themselves with knowledge and then act fast enough to rescue an addict when they have that brief moment of clarity. Learning is a two way street for those involved with crack abusers.

Cocaine - How it Works on the Brain

Cocaine elevates the amount of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin which are all pleasure elevating molecules. Simply put the brain is so flooded with these molecules that it does not know how to respond to highly elevated and unnatural levels. The cocaine also increases blood pressure and heart rate. These all combined give the whirl, or the high as it is usually called.

Sometimes antidepressants (cocaine derivative) are prescribed to help those who need stimulation, such as ADHD, obesity and narcolepsy. Often many people who are in these scenarios' without doctors help, and others who also desire a stimulant, use illegal cocaine and become addicted because their usage is not regulated.


Cocaine usage elevates the amount of dopamine, the main reuptake inhibitor, and this elevated amount of unnatural levels into the nucleus accumbens leaves the brain feeling depraved. The continued use then causes the brain to change it's neuron levels to have less dopamine receptors and therefore less excitability. This is what makes the user seek a higher amount of cocaine to try to feel the same high as the first high.

When the user is not high, they will feel terrible because their dopamine levels are down to the normal level. The brain has developed a tolerance and does not feel right if the levels are normal, because it is used to the high.
This is what causes an addiction, because the user feels they must use it again to feel good.
Because cocaine changes the way the brain reacts, it makes cocaine addiction very hard to overcome compared to many other cravings.

When the body calls for a physical craving, it is easier for the brain to override the craving and overcome the desire. However, when the brain is calling for that craving, it then really becomes a mental battle to overcome that desire. When someone stops using cocaine, the mental battle often becomes a battle of extreme depression, chance of overdose if they relapse, and suicide.

If a person is addicted to cocaine and their addiction is out of control, they need help to overcome their addiction. There are different avenues for cocaine treatment.

They can vary from at home solutions to in-patient rehab, all depending on the person and the severity of the addiction. Because cocaine works on the brain, it is imperative that others are involved in the recovery process. Help is necessary because it takes a complete lifestyle change, needing guidance and encouragement.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Enterline