cocaine addiction : any medical points of view out there?

[peelie]

i'm presently reading a book about cocaine addition. Its quite old, though i'm sure most of the information is still applicable.

i have a few questions though, related to this particular subject.

if the brain branches new receptors to cope with cocaine neural overdrive, clearly the brain does become attached to the cocaine. are these branches here forever? is this an irreversible process?

i have given up cigarettes long enough to have absolutely no desire to smoke such a horrid tasting thing again, but smoking a cigarette gives you a minute high, a high that most people only notice when smoking the first of the day.

cocaine is very different, an unmistakeable high. is it possible to reach the same state of mind for a ex coke head as an ex smoker?

also, does the medical world still feel it imperative to stop drinking if one is to succeed in stopping coke?

food for thought. would help me a great deal if anyoe would kindly pass these answers on. i'm working oversees & am holding down a very responsible job. i'm abstaining and made christams, so far, without use, but i'm out in the cold. i'd like some assistance outside of the pages of this book.

cheers