You might be surprised to discover that cocaine withdrawal and cocaine detox is not as intense or challenging as withdrawal from alcohol, prescription opioids, or illicit drugs.
Cocaine is a strong and powerfully addictive controlled substance that triggers a variety of withdrawal symptoms if you stop using cocaine after sustained abuse.
If you develop a cocaine addiction – formally known as stimulant use disorder – you may encounter a range of adverse withdrawal symptoms if you attempt to moderate or discontinue use of cocaine. The more you learn about the cocaine withdrawal process, the more robustly you can navigate detox without relapsing.
Withdrawal from Cocaine
There are many factors that influence the duration and severity of cocaine withdrawal symptoms, including:
- The severity of your stimulant use disorder
- How long you have been abusing cocaine
- How much cocaine you have been using
You can expect cocaine withdrawal to unfold over the following phases:
- Cocaine crash
- Continuing cocaine withdrawal
- Cocaine withdrawal extinction
1) Cocaine Crash
If you have been abusing cocaine long-term, you can expect the initial crash phase of withdrawal to kick in within a few hours to a few days of last using the drug.
This phase of cocaine withdrawal is characterized by the following:
- Intense depression
- Exhaustion
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Hopelessness
- Suicidal ideation
2) Continuing cocaine withdrawal
Once the first slump of the cocaine crash dissipates, your mood and overall functioning should start improving.
During continuing cocaine withdrawal, though, you may experience an inability to feel joy or pleasure – a condition known as anhedonia. At the same time, you may also feel irritated and bored, as well as experience powerful cravings for cocaine. Your chance of relapse is highest during this challenging phase of cocaine withdrawal.
Recovery will start taking place more fully once you have navigated continuing cocaine withdrawal.
3) Cocaine withdrawal extinction
Mood swings may continue for months after stopping the use of cocaine. Cravings for cocaine are liable to persist for six months or so.
By this stage, though, the worst is behind you and the signs of cocaine withdrawal should have completely dissipated.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
These are some of the most commonly reported symptoms of cocaine withdrawal:
- Lack of motivation
- Extreme lethargy
- Hostility
- Reduced libido
- Intense cravings for cocaine
- Tremors
- Chills
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Generalized discomfort
- Slowed activity
- Troubling dreams
- Muscle aches
- Physical and mental exhaustion
- Increased appetite
- Anhedonia
- Problems with focus
- Headaches
- Sleepiness
- Paranoia
- Suicidal ideation
How about more severe cocaine withdrawal effects?
Seizures
SAMHSA reports that cocaine withdrawal seizures are a risk for some users during detox. There is also a danger that current cocaine users might develop seizures.
How to Detox From Cocaine
For mild and moderate stimulant use disorders, withdrawal symptoms could dissipate in just 24 hours.
More severe cocaine use disorders may involve withdrawal symptoms lasting for up to 4 days.
The acute cocaine withdrawal symptoms should be gone within 10 days, even in the case of severe cocaine addiction.
Detoxing from cocaine is typically best performed in a medically-supervised setting. The powerful nature of cocaine cravings means you can benefit from emotional support on hand around-the-clock. This will minimize your chances of an early relapse before your recovery gets traction.
One of the most dangerous side effects that manifest during detox for cocaine is a heightened risk of suicide. Severe depression and dramatic mood swings during early cocaine recovery cause some people to consider suicide.
Cocaine Detox Program at The District
Cocaine withdrawal might be unpleasant, but it’s rarely life-threatening. While there is usually no requirement for medication-assisted treatment, a medically-managed detox allows you to undergo the cocaine withdrawal process with clinical and emotional care on hand.
With opioid use disorder, heroin use disorder, and alcohol use disorder, there are FDA-approved medications for alleviating cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This form of medication-assisted treatment does not currently exist for the treatment of stimulant use disorder. Research in this area is ongoing, with both naltrexone and buprenorphine showing potential benefits, according to some small-scale animal studies.
Here at TDRC, we offer a variety of outpatient programs for cocaine addiction, including:
- OPs (outpatient programs)
- IOPs (intensive outpatient programs)
- PHPs (partial hospitalization programs)
Whichever degree of treatment intensity makes the right fit for your cocaine addiction, you’ll unpack the psychological component of cocaine addiction here at The District. Counseling and psychotherapy like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) will help you to identify what causes you to use cocaine, and you’ll also learn healthier coping mechanisms to replace stimulant abuse.
Place your trust in The District Recovery Community and let us help you transition smoothly into sober living cocaine-free. Get started today by calling the team at 844.287.8506.
