Cocaine withdrawal occurs when someone who has used a lot of cocaine cuts down or quits taking the drug. Symptoms of withdrawal can occur even if the user is not completely off cocaine and still has some of the drug in their blood.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Cocaine produces a sense of euphoria (extreme mood elevation) by causing the brain to release higher than normal amounts of some chemicals. But, cocaine's effects on other parts of the body can be very serious, or even deadly.
When cocaine use is stopped or when a binge ends, a crash follows almost right away. The cocaine user has a strong craving for more cocaine during a crash. Other symptoms include fatigue, lack of pleasure, anxiety, irritability, sleepiness, and sometimes agitation or extreme suspicion or paranoia.
During withdrawal, there can be powerful, intense cravings for cocaine. The "high" associated with ongoing use may become less and less pleasant. It can produce fear and extreme suspicion rather than euphoria. Even so, the cravings may remain powerful.
Symptoms of withdrawal usually disappear over time. If symptoms are severe, a live-in treatment program may be recommended. There, medicines may be used to treat the symptoms. Counseling may help end the addiction. And, the person's health and safety can be monitored during recovery.
People who have cocaine withdrawal will often use alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, or anti-anxiety medicines to treat their symptoms. Long-term use of these drugs is not recommended because it simply shifts addiction from one substance to another. Under proper medical supervision, however, short-term use of these medicines may be helpful in recovery.
Avoid cocaine use. If you use cocaine and wish to stop, talk with a provider. Also try to avoid people, places, and things you associate with the drug. If you find yourself thinking about the euphoria produced by cocaine, force yourself to think of the negative outcomes that follow its use.
Bernstein CA, Poag M, Robinstein M, Ahn C, Maloy KF, Ying P. Substance withdrawal. In: Bernstein CA, Poag M, Robinstein M, Ahn C, Maloy KF, Ying P. On Call Psychiatry. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 20.
Unlike opiates and alcohol, cocaine withdrawal symptoms include more mental and emotional effects than physical ones. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms include concentration problems, fatigue, inability to feel pleasure, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or actions, cocaine cravings, nightmares, restlessness, and slowed thinking. Physical symptoms may include, muscle aches, nerve pain, tremors, and chills.
The severity of your cocaine withdrawal comes down to multiple factors. These factors include the length of your cocaine use, how frequently you abused cocaine, purity of your drug, how you used it, your health, and your mental condition.
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms begin when you stop using your drug or run out of cocaine. Your physical dependence on the drug means your body grew accustomed to having cocaine in your system. It has adapted to cocaine and now functions with the drug. Your brain requires cocaine to feel normal.
Physical health complications occur when someone abuses cocaine with alcohol. Withdrawal after this lifestyle produces the risk of heart problems, like a heart attack. Some people suffer seizures in cocaine withdrawal.
Depression symptoms like low mood, energy, and motivation may develop during cocaine withdrawal. Some people experience suicidal ideations. These are reasons why people going through cocaine withdrawal need support and monitoring throughout detox. About half of people using cocaine already suffer from depression, so withdrawal makes these symptoms worse.
Other psychological effects of cocaine withdrawal include aggression, violence, and paranoia. These symptoms make detox dangerous for the person going through withdrawal and those caring for that person. This is another reason why detox programs play an important role in drug dependence recovery.
Ashley Addiction Treatment in Havre de Grace, Maryland provides on-site detox with comprehensive access to medical care. However, detox is only the beginning of your journey to lasting recovery. You need cocaine rehab to gain the support, education, skills, and insights you need for lasting recovery.
If you or someone you love is struggling with cocaine addiction, our rehab programs provide a pathway to that recovery. Call Ashley Addiction Treatment now at 866-313-6307 for information about available programs.
Your child can begin the healing process in our warm and welcoming environment. Our skilled, compassionate team is ready to guide your teen through lingering alcohol, meth, heroin, or cocaine withdrawal symptoms as he begins a new, healthier chapter in life. Call us today at 877-466-0620 to find out how we can help heal your entire family from the damage of addiction.
Powdered cocaine is abused by snorting it or liquefying the powder and injecting it with needles into your veins. Crack cocaine is consumed by heating the rock in a pipe and inhaling the smoke. The high resulting from cocaine varies depending on the method in which it is consumed, but injection produces the fastest and most intense high.
Cocaine addiction is caused by the changes in the structure and function of the brain. When used, cocaine affects the central nervous system, increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which causes the intense rush addicts feel. Eventually cocaine stops the body from naturally producing dopamine in the brain and preventing it from being recycled back into the brain cells. When this occurs it means an individual has built up a tolerance. At this point the individual will require more and more cocaine in order to experience the good feelings they initially had.
It is estimated that about 1.9 million people in the United States use cocaine each month. Adults between the ages of 18-25 years report higher rates of cocaine usage with 1.5% reporting cocaine usage in the last month. Additionally, it has been reported that more men abuse cocaine each month than women.
It is most likely that many factors such as genetic, environmental, biological, and psychological factors that work together to cause the development of a cocaine addiction. Some of the most common theories include:
Biological: Biological factors like changes in the structure and function of the brain have also been linked to addiction problems. When dopamine levels in the brain are low, an individual may abuse substances such as cocaine in order to make up for the lack of neurotransmitters in the brain. Additionally, structural changes in the brain may lead to the development of addiction as each individual reacts differently to stimuli.
Psychological: Addiction often co-occurs with other mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. When an individual struggles with these disorders, they may turn to substances to self-medicate the symptoms, which can lead to addiction.
Once you\u2019ve become dependent on cocaine, you will experience withdrawal symptoms as you cut down intake or stop using the drug cold turkey. Drug withdrawals will be determined by the type of drug you try to stop using because they all work in different areas of the brain and body. Stimulant drugs, while not deadly, prove to be challenging to stop on your own and with help.You may experience mood swings that are debilitating and cause suicidal thoughts. Your system may work in overdrive to compensate for dopamine that the drug is not producing anymore. It will cause you to feel extremely restless and exhausted. Other symptoms you can expect may include:\nFatigue\nDepression\nIrritability\nRestlessness\nIncrease in appetite\nNightmares\nChills and tremors\nFeelings of discomfort\nSlow thinking\nDifficulty concentrating\nSluggishness\nCocaine withdrawal is not in the same category when compared to benzodiazepines or alcohol. It is considered mild because it is not life-threatening, but the most challenging symptoms will be overcoming suicidal thoughts and psychological issues. Physical symptoms are mild, but intense cravings for cocaine will accompany you during this stage.The risk of severe medical complications is much lower than other drugs, but there is a likelihood the user will relapse and start using the substance again. If you detox alone, it will be nearly impossible to resist cravings for cocaine. If there is easy access to cocaine, you will likely fall back into using."}],"name":"What Are Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms?"},"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#QuestionsubjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity1","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#QuestionsubjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity1_acceptedAnswer_Answer","text":"Several factors will determine your timeline and when you will start to feel the effects of cocaine withdrawal. These include the length of time you were consuming cocaine and the amount of cocaine you were using. If you were using long enough to build a tolerance, you might not be able to continue for very long without a dose. Cocaine withdrawals may come on rapidly due to the short half-life of the drug. Other factors include:\nHow fast you stop using\nStress\nMental health concerns\nThe purity of the cocaine\nIf you decide to stop using the substance, you will start to feel withdrawals in 90 minutes after your last use. If you quit cold turkey, you will experience intense cravings. Stimulant withdrawal is commonly associated with something users call the crash. As your system works to rid the cocaine from your body, the brain will start to recycle dopamine. You will soon begin to feel the effects of withdrawal. Cocaine users describe severe depression, anxiety, and impending doom as symptoms they encounter.The withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from seven to 10 days before they dissipate. During this point, you will notice a difficulty in focusing on tasks and attending school or work. Your sleep patterns will be noticeably disrupted, as well."],"name":"What Are The Stages Of Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline?","@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#QuestionsubjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity2","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#QuestionsubjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity2_acceptedAnswer_Answer","text":"Medical detoxification will assist you in a time of need and alleviate the extremes you may encounter. In addition to a helping hand, detox will provide you with accountability and help prevent you from relapsing. It is essential if you are seeking permanent abstinence from the drug. Supervision will also save you from having to go through the comedown alone and struggle with dark thoughts."],"name":"Why Should I Detox For Cocaine Withdrawal?","@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#QuestionsubjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity3","acceptedAnswer":["@type":"Answer","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#QuestionsubjectOf_FAQPage_mainEntity3_acceptedAnswer_Answer","text":"Detox is the first step in the continuum of care, and once the cocaine is removed from your system, your reward pathways have been programmed to seek cocaine. The only way to avoid relapse is by continuing your care to change your behaviors through therapy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states the longer someone commits themselves to treatment, the more likely they are to abstain from cocaine long-term. Detox alone will not change addiction, but prolonged treatment is a step in the right direction"],"name":"What Is The Next Drug Treatment Step?"]}],"image":["@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_image_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/app\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Cocaine-Withdrawal-bgr.jpg"],"editor":["@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_editor_Person","name":"Rebecca Bryan","url":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/author\/rebecca-bryan\/","image":["@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_editor_Person_image_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f58f53e9d97b0fb9f5a9fe546b081d55?s=80&d=mm&r=g"]],"reviewedBy":["@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_reviewedBy_Person","image":["@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_reviewedBy_Person_image_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Loren-Miller-Square-150x150.jpg"],"url":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/employee\/lmillerpbinstitute-com\/","name":"Loren Miller"],"publisher":["@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_publisher_Organization","address":["@type":"PostalAddress","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_publisher_Organization_address_PostalAddress","postalCode":92270,"streetAddress":"70115 Highway 111","addressRegion":"CA ","addressLocality":"\nRancho Mirage"],"url":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/","telephone":"+18885245912","logo":["@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_publisher_Organization_logo_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/app\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DV52pxH-01.svg"],"name":"Desert View Recovery"],"author":["@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_author_Person","url":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/author\/christopher-schumacher\/","name":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/author\/christopher-schumacher\/","description":" ","image":["@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#Article_MedicalWebPage_author_Person_image_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/77a36ef476a2b79a3190df7dd5662a6e?s=80&d=mm&r=g"]],"about":"Cocaine Withdrawal","description":"While cocaine withdrawal is not dangerous, it can still cause discomfort and suicidal thoughts. Learn more.","datePublished":"2022-01-26T23:04:40+00:00","headline":"Cocaine Withdrawal","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/"}"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":["@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Detox Withdrawal: How It Works","item":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/#breadcrumbitem","@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Cocaine Withdrawal","item":"https:\/\/desertviewrecovery.com\/withdrawal\/cocaine\/#breadcrumbitem"]window.schema_highlighter=accountId: "DelphiBehavioralHealthGroup/DesertView", output: false Skip to contentDesert View Recovery Addiction Treatment in Rancho Mirage 2ff7e9595c
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