Cocaine Withdrawal

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Cocaine Withdrawal

Cocaine Withdrawal & Long Term Recovery

If you have developed a problem with cocaine, you may be reeling from its many adverse effects. Cocaine is very detrimental to every aspect of a person’s life. If you desire to quit cocaine, however, you will find that it isn’t as easy as just stopping the drug. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are harsh, and because of this it is recommended that you obtain medical support. 

What are the Effects of Cocaine?

Cocaine is a stimulant drug that increases the nerve activity in the central nervous system. This results in a sense of boundless energy, increased confidence, and a state of euphoria. These pleasant effects, caused by a rush of dopamine, are registered in the brain and spur the user to repeat the cocaine experience.

Signs of cocaine use are not all positive. They include:

  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Dilated (enlarged) pupils
  • Reduced appetite
  • Manic mood states
  • Rapid speech
  • Risk-taking behaviors
  • Mood swings
  • Withdrawing from friends and family
  • Irritability
  • Lack of inhibition
  • Constant sniffing, runny nose, or nose bleeds

Do You Have a Cocaine Problem?

It is, in fact, usually the cocaine withdrawal symptoms that cause you to become aware that your cocaine use is problematic. Withdrawal symptoms are the signs that the body is attempting to adjust or rebalance when the effects wear off. These symptoms are especially harsh once a chronic user has become dependent on the cocaine.

With repeated use, cocaine rewires the brain, leading to addiction. When cocaine addiction sets in it begins to cause major disruptions in your health and your life. Cocaine addiction symptoms include:

  • Obsessing about obtaining and using cocaine
  • Major financial problems
  • Weight loss
  • Haggard appearance due to lack of sleep
  • Trying to cut back or quit cocaine but can’t
  • Increased tolerance to the effects, leading to more cocaine use
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Social withdrawal
  • Intense cravings
  • Continue to use cocaine, despite its consequences
  • Stealing from others to fund the cocaine habit
  • Cocaine withdrawal symptoms with comedown

If some of these symptoms are present, it is time to get professional help for the cocaine addiction. If cocaine use continues it can lead to more dangerous drug abuse, such as injecting the drug or smoking crack. Long-term health and mental health problems include heart damage, severe nasal damage, paranoia, psychosis, stroke, and seizures, and potential for cocaine overdose.

Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

When it’s time to address a cocaine addiction, you will first complete a supervised detox and withdrawal. This process is best done under the care of medical professionals who can be on the look out for any serious cocaine withdrawal symptoms. 

The effects of cocaine will typically last for one hour before starting to feel the withdrawal symptoms. A big concern during withdrawal is more about the psychological effects that emerge during the detox process. There are rebound type effects that can be debilitating. Instead of euphoria, a deep depression might ensue and with that is an increased risk for suicide.

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms may include:

  • Trouble concentrating
  • Paranoid thoughts
  • Cocaine cravings
  • Sleep changes, such as increased sleeping or insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Deep fatigue
  • Increased appetite
  • Dysphoria
  • Suicidal thoughts

Withdrawal symptoms will vary in severity based on the history of cocaine use, method of delivery, age, mental health, poly-substance addictions, and health status.

Phases of Cocaine Detox and Withdrawal

During the withdrawal phase of recovery, symptom relief will be tended to by the detox team using assorted medications. The goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible during detox, and then to shift you into treatment.

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Cocaine withdrawal unfolds in a three-stage timeline:

Stage One. During the first week, symptoms include exhaustion, sleep problems, anxiety, increased appetite, cravings, mood swings, nightmares, and irritability.

Stage Two. During weeks 2-4, symptoms include agitation, brain fog, depression, cocaine cravings, brain fog, and irritability.

Stage Three. The final phase of withdrawal can be protracted, taking 5-10 weeks, although most symptoms have subsided. During this phase, symptoms mostly include anxiety and cravings.

A Fresh Start in Cocaine Addiction Recovery

Enrolling in a treatment program immediately following detox offers the best chance for recovery success. During treatment licensed therapists use various types of interventions to help you change your habits and thought patterns. The therapists will also address any mental health disorder that might be present.

Therapies include:

  • Individual talk therapy sessions using CBT and CM
  • Group therapy sessions
  • Family therapy

Treatment involves not only therapy but a multi-pronged approach. These help you replace the reflexive cocaine-seeking behaviors that have kept you caught in addiction. 

These interventions include:

  • Education
  • Relapse prevention
  • 12-step programming
  • Holistic therapies

5 Ways to Ensure Long-Term Recovery

Overcoming cocaine addiction is tricky, and it isn’t enough to just complete the detox and rehab program. To safeguard newfound sobriety, it is important to engage in post-treatment actions that offer continued support. These include:

  1. Avoid triggers. In order to avoid a cocaine relapse you will need to be intentional about knowing and avoiding triggers. Create a detailed relapse prevention plan that you can put into action the minute you sense trouble.
  2. Stay in therapy. After your rehab stint you should step down to outpatient treatment. Outpatient provides therapy sessions, group support, and helpful classes that help you stay on track.
  3. Join a recovery community. Find a local support group, like N.A., SMART Recovery, LifeRing, SOS, and Women for Sobriety. Social support through these groups can be highly protective during early recovery.
  4. Practice self-care. Invest in yourself by improving all aspects of wellness. Opt for a new healthy diet that can help restore physical health after cocaine addiction. Commit to daily exercise and set some new fitness goals. Learn how to relax by practicing yoga, meditation, or breath work.
  5. Make new friends. Change the group of people you spend time with after you stop using cocaine. By cultivating new sober friendships you add layers of support in recovery.

Through cocaine withdrawal management and a comprehensive addiction recovery program, it is possible to overcome cocaine addiction. Reach out today for the support you deserve.

Bodhi Addiction Treatment Comprehensive Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Bodhi Addiction Treatment offers guidance and referrals for the best inpatient program to suit your needs. We provide interventions, outpatient treatment, and sober living support as well. For more information about our cocaine treatment services, please reach out to us today at (877) 328-1968

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