If you have a cocaine addiction, you might find it heartening to know that cocaine withdrawal and detox is not as intense or demanding as detoxing from prescription opioids, alcohol, or other illicit drugs.
The clinical descriptor for cocaine addiction is stimulant use disorder. Diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe based on responses to eleven questions set out in DSM-5, discontinuing the use of cocaine if you are addicted will trigger an array of unpleasant side effects.
The better your understanding of the cocaine withdrawal process, the more confidently you can engage with addiction treatment, and the less chance you have of relapsing.
Withdrawal from Cocaine
Many variables impact the severity and duration of cocaine withdrawal symptoms. These include:
- Quantity of cocaine you are using
- How long you have been abusing cocaine
- The scope and severity of your stimulant use disorder
- Any co-occurring mental health disorders
Cocaine withdrawal will usually occur in three distinct phases as follows:
- Crash
- Ongoing withdrawal
- Extinction
1) Crash
Anyone who has been chronically abusing cocaine will encounter a crash during withdrawal. This crash occurs anywhere from a few hours after the last use of cocaine.
The crash phase of cocaine withdrawal is characterized by these symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hopelessness
- Fatigue
- Exhaustion
- Suicidal ideation
2) Ongoing withdrawal
Although the initial crash phase of cocaine withdrawal feels quite intense, it is also fleeting. Following the crash, you can expect your functioning and mood to improve.
During the ongoing withdrawal phases, you may struggle to feel pleasure or joy. This is a condition called anhedonia.
You may also experience the following powerful feelings:
- Boredom
- Irritability
- Frustration
- Strong cravings for cocaine
The likelihood of relapse is highest during this stage of cocaine withdrawal.
You need to work your way through this ongoing withdrawal phase before you can commence with treatment proper.
3) Extinction
You are likely to encounter mood swings and cravings for cocaine for several months after discontinuing use.
On the plus side, the most taxing part of cocaine withdrawal is now complete and you can unpack the psychological aspect of cocaine addiction through psychotherapy and counseling sessions.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
The following are the most common symptoms of cocaine withdrawal and detox:
- Sleepiness
- Headaches
- Problems with focus
- Anhedonia
- Increased appetite
- Physical exhaustion
- Mental exhaustion
- Muscle aches
- Vivid and troubling dreams
- Slowed activity
- Generalized discomfort
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Chills
- Tremors
- Intense cravings for cocaine
- Reduced sex drive
- Extreme lethargy
- Lack of motivation
- Hostility
- Paranoia
- Suicidal ideation
Seizures
According to SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), there is a risk of seizures during cocaine withdrawal and detox. Some current cocaine users might also be at risk of developing seizures, too.
How to Detox From Cocaine
In the case of most mild or moderate stimulant use disorders, withdrawal symptoms are sometimes gone in just 24 hours.
More severe addictions can involve withdrawal symptoms lingering for 4 or 5 days.
Even in the case of more severe stimulant use disorders, the most uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms should be gone in no more than 10 days.
It is normally advisable to detox from cocaine in a clinically-supervised setting. Cocaine is fiercely addictive psychologically, and a medical detox will provide you with robust emotional support, allowing you to resist cravings and continue your recovery without relapsing.
With many people withdrawing from cocaine reporting an increase in suicidal thoughts, having a treatment team on hand can help you deal with mood swings and unpleasant thoughts rather than reaching for a wrap of cocaine.
Cocaine Detox Program at The District
Although cocaine withdrawal and detox is often unpleasant, it is seldom dangerous or life-threatening.
If you need help locating a suitable medical detox center, reach out to The District Recovery Center and we’ll be happy to connect you with a suitable local facility.
There is currently no FDA-approved medication for the treatment of stimulant use disorder, although research in this area is robust and ongoing. Both buprenorphine and naltrexone show promise.
At The District, we offer the following outpatient programs for cocaine addiction:
- Outpatient programs (OPs)
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
To help you attack the psychological nature of cocaine addiction, you’ll engage with the following therapies here at The District:
- Psychotherapy (CBT and DBT)
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Family therapy
If you choose to kickstart your recovery here at The District Recovery Center, you can leave stimulant abuse behind and start thriving in sober living. Make this happen by calling 844.287.8506 today.
