Answer to Question 1
With respect to cocaine dependence, the primary strategies have involved: 1) preventing cocaine's entry into the brain; 2) blocking cocaine's access to its binding/activity sites; 3) eliminating cocaine's reinforcing actions by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain; 4) replacing cocaine with a drug with similar but less destructive properties; 5) reducing glutamatergic input into limbic areas that presumably trigger craving; and 6) reducing comorbid conditions that may contribute to relapse. Thus far, all studies of medications used to help prevent relapse to cocaine dependence have revealed modest benefits at best. One of the basic problems with drugs used in the treatment for dependence on cocaine, or any other drug, is their lack of long-term effects.
Answer to Question 2
Because at low to moderate doses taken infrequently they increase arousal and enhance mood, enhance certain types of attention, reduce fatigue and the need for sleep, and enhance reaction time. However, even at low doses, some motor behaviors may increase while others may decrease, e.g., normally high frequency behaviors may decrease whereas normally low frequency behaviors may increase. Furthermore, at high doses a dysphoric state may occur, even depression, and a psychotic-like state can develop. While some neurons may increase in their activity, others may decrease.
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