Final answer:
Cocaine blocks dopamine reuptake, leading to increased stimulation of pleasure centers, which contributes to its 'high' and addictiveness. Rapid depletion of dopamine post-binge causes a craving for more of the drug.
Step-by-step explanation:
The action of dopamine is regulated in response to excessive stimulation, such as the presence of cocaine. Cocaine acts as a stimulant, blocking the reuptake of dopamine by nerve cells, leading to higher levels of dopamine in the synapse and increased stimulation of the brain's pleasure centers. This mechanism contributes to the intense 'high' and addictive nature of cocaine.
However, following a cocaine binge, dopamine levels deplete rapidly, often within an hour, which results in a pleasureless state and a craving for more of the drug. This cycle can lead to addiction due to the persistent desire to recreate the dopamine-induced pleasure.