What Is Cocaine Withdrawal?
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Generally, withdrawals refer to the symptoms that come after stopping use of a substance and can be very intense to manage. Withdrawal symptoms can cause relapse within individuals and, in some cases, is even life-threatening.
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms specifically are mainly psychological withdrawal symptoms. This leads to an individual battling with something that they cannot see. Keep reading to find out more about cocaine withdrawal and how to manage it!
How Is Cocaine Different From Other Substance Abuse Withdrawals?
Every substance comes with its own inherent effects however, as a stimulant drug, cocaine directly affects the parts of the brain responsible for motivation and energy. Cocaine affects two core neurotransmitters within the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that are naturally found within our bodies which allow for our bodies to properly function. Our bodies break down and reuse certain chemicals to meet the demands of the body. This includes dopamine and norepinephrine.
Cocaine works by stopping these two chemicals from being reabsorbed by the body. This is what causes the euphoric and energetic feelings. This also is a very addictive effect within an individual.
Drug Abuse And Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is a highly addictive and toxic substance that causes unwanted side effects and health issues within an individual. Cocaine will often be taken in a binge and crash pattern. Binging a substance refers to taking in more of a substance as the effects, or more specifically the high, begins to diminish.
The crash can be seen as once the high can no longer be maintained, or simply, the intense withdrawal symptoms that follow a binge. Taking in so much of a toxic substance without allowing the body to process and remove it from an individual’s system can lead to life-threatening situations, and even death.
It is common for cocaine to influence physical health complications within an individual such as difficulty breathing and high blood pressure. Cocaine deteriorates the parts of the body that are in direct contact with it.
For example, an individual snorting cocaine will experience nasal difficulties including frequent nosebleeds, difficulty swallowing, frequent runny noses, etc. All individuals using cocaine will have a lowered quality of health which, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, can include:
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Seizures
- Fast or irregular heart beat
- Tremors
- Constricted blood vessels
The effects of cocaine last for around 30 minutes but can vary depending on the method of ingestion as well as an individual’s tolerance to the substance. They can last from as short as 15 minutes to as long as 1 hour. The effects of cocaine use include:
- Euphoria
- Mental alertness
- Hypersensitivity
- Intense paranoia
- Psychosis or hallucinations
What Are Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms?
Going ‘cold turkey’ or abruptly stopping cocaine use can lead to overwhelming withdrawal symptoms and may cause relapse within many individuals. Suddenly stopping cocaine use can even be life-threatening depending on the individual, as cocaine withdrawal has caused severe depressive episodes for heavy users of the drug.
Dopamine and norepinephrine receptors are constantly engaged with cocaine abuse and become less effective when performing without cocaine. This causes a large portion of the mental difficulties an individual experiences.
An individual managing withdrawals may face relapse and overdose. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are most prevalent within the mind of an individual which is what makes it so difficult to overcome. The psychological symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Intense cravings
- Increased anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Intense paranoia or distrust of others
- Unpleasant dreams
- Agitation
An individual struggling through severe cocaine withdrawal syndrome is likely to be experiencing a crash from stopping cocaine use. With their intense cravings and depressed feelings, they may return to their cocaine addiction.
Maintaining and supporting the mental health of an individual experiencing cocaine withdrawals is detrimental to their recovery. Individuals are constantly managing some aspect of this issue throughout their daily experience.
It is difficult to abstain from cocaine while having these withdrawal symptoms; however, stopping cocaine use is the only way to return to a stable and fulfilling life-style. A cocaine detox can be beneficial for an individual struggling with their symptoms and relapse.
Cocaine Detox
Quitting cocaine use can be an immensely difficult task to take on, especially while managing the withdrawal symptoms. To properly recover from cocaine abuse, it is important for an individual to undergo a cocaine detox.
Thankfully, cocaine is a substance that is removed from the body fairly quickly. There are two main detox programs for substance abuse: a medical detox, and partial hospitalization programs. Both of these treatment programs are undergone by medical staff.
Medical Detox
A medical detox is a form of inpatient treatment. This hospitalization program requires an individual to stay on-site at a treatment location to receive treatment. An individual is provided with 24 hour medical assistance throughout their stay.
Removing an individual from their environment may be beneficial to their treatment process. This allows an individual to comfortably process and undergo withdrawals and be provided care through their experience.
A medical detox is typically the first step in addiction treatment and is usually undergone for individuals suffering through severe or intense side effects and withdrawals. An individual struggling with moderate to mild withdrawals may find more benefit in a partial hospitalization program.
Partial Hospitalization Programs
Partial hospitalization programs undergo a form of detox called ambulatory detoxification. This form of detox is more suited for individuals struggling with moderate to mild cocaine withdrawal symptoms.
Individuals in this treatment program are not required to stay on-site at a treatment location and will receive care during the day and return home once care is finished that day. This gives flexibility to an individual that must maintain their responsibilities such as work or school.
Managing The Effects Of Cocaine Withdrawal
There is a period of time required after administration for the body to rid itself of the substance. However, if you want to try to mitigate the systemic effects, there are a couple of things you can do:
- Drink water. This helps the body metabolize cocaine more quickly, which pushes the drug through your body. As cocaine heavily affects the mind, staying hydrated also supports the natural functions within the body to promote better sleep quality, mood, and cognition.
- Avoid drugs and other substances. More substance abuse will not support substance abuse recovery. Cocaine on its own has potential for danger, but when mixed with other substances, the effect can be worse than the sum of its parts. Using other substances, such as alcohol, as a method of coping with the cocaine withdrawals can also lead to a dependence or addiction upon another harmful substance.
- Meditation. Take slow, deep breaths. This will help slow the heart rate and make you feel more at ease. Meditation is very helpful for the mental health of individuals and can help manage anxiety, stress, and other symptoms that come with cocaine withdrawals. Read more on how meditation can help addiction!
Cocaine Recovery Timeline
Unlike other drugs, the cocaine recovery process actually happens rather swiftly. This is because the body quickly metabolizes cocaine and it leaves the system within three to five days. Cocaine withdrawal usually begins within one hour of the last dose and continues for about 72 hours.
The first few hours of cocaine withdrawal are characterized by a “crash”. This is the most uncomfortable part of cocaine recovery. During this time, the user will have overwhelming cravings for more cocaine and may experience extreme depression or suicidal thoughts.
Most of the symptoms associated with cocaine withdrawal are psychological symptoms. After the initial crash, someone who is in recovery from cocaine addiction should expect these symptoms for the next two to four weeks:
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Irritability
- Cocaine cravings
- Fatigue
- Extreme hunger
After the first month, cocaine withdrawal symptoms subside and the body and brain slowly begin to return to functioning normally. However, it might take six months to a year for all cocaine withdrawal symptoms to completely subside.
Are There Medications To Help With Cocaine Withdrawals?
Currently, there is no accepted medication approved by the FDA however, there are some medications used in other treatments that have shown to benefit individuals struggling with cocaine withdrawals. One of the most common is Topamax (also called Topiramate). Topamax is an anti-seizure drug proven to lessen cocaine cravings.
Research supports that people who took Topamax used less cocaine or no cocaine at all as opposed to those who didn’t take the medication.Another anti-seizure medication with proven efficacy in treating cocaine addiction is Gabapentin.
This drug helps to elevate feelings of wellness by promoting the release of a neurotransmitter called GABA. In turn, this helps lessen the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal, especially depression.
Treatment After Detoxification
Recovery from cocaine abuse doesn’t end after detoxification. In reality, detoxification is the first treatment process for recovery. To properly recover, prevent relapse, and maintain abstinence, it is important for an individual to receive addiction treatment.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, substance abuse treatment can assist an individual through overcoming post-acute withdrawal syndrome.
As cocaine is a stimulant drug, behavioral therapy makes up the core of cocaine addiction treatment. This treatment aims to reinforce and reteach the mind how to properly function without the use of a substance.
One of the many behavioral treatments available include cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy focuses on educating an individual on the positive and negative effects of substance use, recognizing negative or harmful behaviors, and learning how to cope or correct those behaviors.
This allows for an individual to maintain their own stability after recovering from cocaine addiction and lead a fulfilling life. Individuals can find comfort in these forms of treatment.
Find Cocaine Addiction Treatment Here
Trying to overcome addiction is an immensely difficult process, especially handling a cocaine addiction alone. Here at Rehabs Of Armerica, we can help find the right treatment that fits you and your needs.
Whether finding a treatment center in your location, or connecting you with recovery tools and resources, our hotline is available 24/7 to make sure you can get the help you need, anytime you need it.
Cocaine withdrawals are very intense and lead individuals to suffer great amounts of difficulty. Call us today and we can help get you the proper treatment you need to get through the difficult withdrawals and into a healthy, sober new way of life!
