Withdrawing from cocaine abuse produces uncomfortable symptoms but unlike other substances, cocaine withdrawal symptoms typically doesn’t result in physical symptoms like shaking and vomiting but also psychological symptoms that can affect your mental health.
Cocaine use causes feelings of euphoria or elevated mood, so when cocaine is not available in the quantity your brain has come to expect, withdrawal occurs. This is what happens when you enter detox process for cocaine and even though it is unpleasant, it is necessary to break your physical dependency. Please do not let your fear of withdrawal deter you from entering medical detox. There is a better life on the other side of it and we will help you to get through it with the recovery process of our cocaine addiction treatment programs.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are mainly behavioral and their severity is relative to
-
The duration and frequency of your cocaine addiction
-
The potency or purity of your cocaine
-
Your route of administration (whether it was injected, snorted or smoked)
-
If you have any co-occurring dependencies or dual diagnosis
Commonly experienced cocaine withdrawal symptoms include depression, cravings for cocaine, fatigue and hunger. Other symptoms may include
-
Irritability or agitation
-
Restlessness
-
Malaise
-
Elevated blood pressure
-
Vivid dreams or nightmares
Severe complications include depression, suicidal ideation and overdose. Substance withdrawal does from drug abuse pose a risk for relapse and overdose because it lowers your tolerance. If you relapse and resume your pre-detox dose, you are at risk of overdose, which could be fatal.
Cravings and Depression
Cravings for cocaine can begin 90 minutes after your last use and may fluctuate in intensity. Understanding that cravings are a normal and expected withdrawal symptoms may help you to cope with them better. After a cocaine crash, you are likely to experience a low mood and bouts of depression as your brain suffers from a lowered dopamine production.
Suicidal ideation
Stopping cocaine use abruptly and without medical supervision could induce suicidal ideation and professional help is almost always recommended, this is why we recommend an inpatient treatment program for your cocaine addiction treatment.
Timeline of Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Cocaine use often occurs in a binge and crash pattern, and withdrawal typically follows three stages:
Stage 1: Crash
A crash occurs around 24-hours after a period of binge-using cocaine. You are likely to
- Feel hungry
- Lack motivation and energy
- Feel anxious and/or irritable
- Feel tired
- Experience an extremely low mood
- Have cravings for cocaine
- Experience vivid dreams
- Possibly have suicidal thoughts
Stage 2: Withdrawal
The second stage occurs within the first week of cessation and may last for up to 10 weeks. You are likely to experience these withdrawal symptoms:
- Concentration problems
- Mood swings
- Low energy
- Paranoia
- Cravings
- Depression or unhappiness with your life
Stage 3: Extinction
This stage can be experienced up to six months after you stop using cocaine and you are still likely to have cocaine cravings and a low mood.
How to Detox from Cocaine Safely
The safest way to detox from cocaine is to enroll in a supervised cocaine detox program. Make sure you are in a safe and secure environment that is substance-free and that you have emotional support. Looking after yourself is paramount during a cocaine detox. This means having nutritionally balanced meals and plenty of hydration, which is difficult to manage yourself while you are going through the detox from substance abuse. Regular exercise is recommended, as is entertainment like reading material, access to TV and outdoor spaces with fresh air.
Home Detox
If you think that a home detox is the best course of action for your dependency, you should discuss your intentions with your GP, who will be able to give you guidance on how to look after your nutrition and monitor your hydration and mental health. You should also confide in a close friend or family members so that someone can check-in on you during your outpatient care.
We strongly advise against the use of home detox kits, as they are not regulated and could cause serious side effects and complications.
If you have been through withdrawal before, have co-occurring illnesses or a dual diagnosis, your detox process should be medically supervised.
Can I Quit Cocaine ‘Cold Turkey’
Cocaine is highly addictive and produces an almost-instant ‘high’ and if you have been using it habitually or binge-using it, you will experience intense cravings that can deteriorate quickly into a very intense emotional state, and even suicidal thoughts.
The flipside of the cocaine high is the crash stage, and quitting cocaine cold turkey can drop you into a very low comedown, where you are unlikely to have the coping mechanisms to deal with cravings and the low emotional state that accompanies them. This could put you in danger of relapse and overdose if you resume your pre-detox dosage.
In a Residential Setting
A residential setting (inpatient treatment program) is a controlled environment that enables you to focus on your detox, without the distractions of day-to-day stressors that may be present in your home. You will be supported by medical professionals who can ensure that your nutritional intake is adequate for detox and that you are well hydrated and comfortable.
Because of the severity of the psycho-emotional withdrawal symptoms that can present, having professionals to support you through intense cravings can make the difference between a successful detox and relapsing into drug abuse. Ultimately, residential treatment programs takes care of you, so you can take care of yourself.
About Our Detox Center
Our focus is on supporting you to achieve long term sobriety and embrace the life you want to live. We create personalized treatment plans in a luxurious and comfortable setting because we know that every client is different and has a different path to recovery.
Our medical staff provide clinical assistance 24 hours a day and monitor you throughout your stay. We also provide a range of complementary and holistic treatment programs (like cognitive behavioral therapy) to help in your addiction treatment program and to redefine what you want from your life. Our 12-step facilities specialize in treatments for mental illness, trauma and stress so you can restore equilibrium in your life from substance abuse.
Why Choose United Recovery CA for Cocaine Detox and Withdrawal?
Leaders in
Addiction Treatment
Recover in a
Luxury Environment
Aftercare &
Lifetime Support
Do You Need Help?
We can help you get better. Together, we can build up your confidence and you can regain control over your life! Contact us now to ask about our Cocaine Detoxes now!
Is a Cocaine Detox Enough to Tackle Addiction?
A detox is the first step of your journey to cocaine rehab, as your body will eliminate the drug and break its physical dependency. This is a good short-term strategy; however it does not address the causes of the addiction, and you will be vulnerable to relapse later on if you do not address the underlying issues. Relapse could occur months or years later and the most effective long-term strategy is to enter a cocaine rehab programme where you can learn to face these issues.
A combination of individual and group therapy interventions will help you to understand your dependency and the factors that trigger it. If you were using cocaine to escape your reality or repress trauma, counseling therapy can unmask it so you can confront it.
Group therapy has proven to be immensely beneficial for recovery from cocaine dependency. It gives you different perspectives on life and provides a supportive context for you to engage with other people. Aftercare and support groups are especially helpful for long term recovery because, as you adjust to your new life and encounter new problems, peer support can help you to navigate through them with greater ease.
