Cocaine addiction is a powerful and complex condition that affects thousands of people every year. Over 5 million Americans reported using cocaine in 2022, with this drug ranking among the top six substances involved in drug-related emergency department visits. In the same year, 27,569 Americans died from a cocaine overdose. Dealers adding fentanyl to the substance have made cocaine addiction more dangerous than ever.
For many, the first step toward recovery begins with cocaine detox – the withdrawal process that allows the body to eliminate the drug while managing the uncomfortable detox symptoms.
Understanding what to expect during cocaine withdrawal can reduce anxiety, cut down the risk of relapse, and prepare the individual for long-term recovery. Whether you’re exploring treatment options for yourself or a loved one, this guide can help you know what to expect at each phase of the detox process.
Understanding Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction develops when the brain becomes reliant on the substance’s stimulating effects. This often leads to physical and psychological changes, making it difficult for the individual to stop using the drug, even when they experience negative consequences.
Cocaine’s highly addictive nature makes detoxing at home on your own particularly challenging. According to a 2017 study in The Journal of Neuroscience, easy access to addictive substances, withdrawal symptoms, and stress can trigger relapse.
The Importance of Detoxification
Fortunately, completing a drug detox and treatment program can lower rates of relapse. By removing oneself from familiar triggers and unsupportive environments, the individual can begin to address the root causes of their addiction. Over time, with consistent support from a professional detox facility, sobriety becomes more attainable.
Understanding Cocaine Withdrawal: Symptoms and Timeline
Attempting to detox from cocaine at home increases your risk of a relapse. Many people give up and call their dealer because the cocaine withdrawal symptoms are intolerable. Unsupervised withdrawals can even lead to a medical emergency, especially if you’ve been using for a long time. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Intense cravings for more of the drug
- Increased appetite
- Poor concentration
- Slowed cognitive abilities
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Sexual dysfunction and depleted sex drive
- Anhedonia, or the inability to feel pleasure
- Vivid, unpleasant dreams or nightmares
- Extreme paranoia
- Depression or anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Motor impairment
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Chills
- Tremors
- Muscle aches
- Nerve pain
Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms vary throughout the detox period. They may begin as early as 90 minutes after last use, with acute withdrawal symptoms ensuing and persisting for roughly 7-10 days. This window of time during early recovery is when recovering cocaine users tend to feel the worst and need the highest level of comfort care and support.
Acute withdrawal symptoms typically subside between three and four weeks after last use. However, cravings may persist for months or even years. In some cases, people who have been sober for years have reported experiencing the sudden onset of a craving.
The exact timeline for withdrawal symptoms and their level of intensity will depend on several factors, including:
- How long you’ve used cocaine. After extended cocaine use, the brain experiences profound changes and becomes reliant on the drug. Individuals with a long history of use may develop a strong psychological and behavioral attachment to cocaine. This may result in more intense cocaine withdrawal symptoms compared to someone who’s used cocaine for a short period. (Note that one-time use can trigger addiction and require early intervention and treatment.)
- How much cocaine you’ve used. In many cases, those who’ve used cocaine for an extended period require large amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effect. In these cases, cocaine withdrawal symptoms may be more intense and occur for a longer period.
- Polydrug abuse and/or co-occurring medical issues. If a patient has become dependent on one or more other drugs alongside cocaine, they may face a more complicated withdrawal process. Similarly, a mental health condition that co-occurs with cocaine abuse can give rise to prolonged and intensified withdrawal symptoms.
- Excessive stress. Stress often plays a prominent role in the development of drug addictions. If someone is dealing with multiple stressors as they undergo cocaine detox, these issues may lengthen and/or intensify their withdrawal symptoms.
Managing Cocaine Withdrawal
A medically supervised detox is the best way to manage your cocaine withdrawal symptoms. When you enter inpatient therapy, you’ll receive medications and 24-7 supervision that help you manage the symptoms as the substance leaves your body. This gives you quick access to doctors if a medical emergency occurs. Once the withdrawal symptoms recede, you’ll start your cocaine addiction treatment program at the same facility.
How Long Does Cocaine Withdrawal Last?
Cocaine withdrawal can begin as early as 90 minutes after last use, with acute withdrawal symptoms ensuing and persisting for roughly 7-10 days. This window of time is when recovering cocaine users tend to feel the worst and need the highest level of comfort care and support. Typically, the withdrawal symptoms eventually recede, but some people experience cravings years after their last dose.
The exact timeline for withdrawal symptoms and their level of intensity will depend on a number of factors, such as:
- How long you’ve been using cocaine. If you’ve been a regular, long-term user, your brain will have adjusted to the drug. You also may have developed a much stronger psychological and behavioral attachment to cocaine. Withdrawal may, therefore, be longer and potentially more complicated than it would be for someone who’s only used cocaine for a very short period of time.
- How much cocaine you’ve been using. Often, people who’ve been using cocaine for a long time are also those most prone to using large amounts to achieve the same high. In these cases, withdrawal symptoms may be more intense and/or prolonged.
- Polydrug abuse and/or co-occurring medical issues. If a patient has become dependent on one or more other drugs alongside cocaine, they may face a more complicated withdrawal process. Similarly, a mental health condition that co-occurs with cocaine abuse can give rise to prolonged and intensified withdrawal symptoms.
- An abundance of stressors. Stress often plays a prominent role in the development of drug addictions. If someone is dealing with multiple stressors as they undergo cocaine detox, these issues may lengthen and/or intensify their withdrawal symptoms.
Medical Supervision
Undergoing cocaine addiction treatment and detox in a medically supervised setting promotes the best outcomes. This ensures the individual is closely monitored and their symptoms are managed. It reduces the risk of dangerous complications, provides access to accountability and support, and offers a safe environment for recovery.
Therapeutic Interventions
Therapists incorporate various strategies and interventions to help guide the individual through the early stages of recovery. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy, a therapy strategy that focuses on identifying the underlying habits, behaviors, and thought patterns that contribute to addiction. Therapists may also use EMDR therapy, massage, neuro rehabilitation, and medication-assisted treatment to manage cravings and discomfort.
Support Systems
In both inpatient and outpatient detox settings, rehab centers focus on fostering strong support systems. This includes individual therapy, group therapy and family support, helping the individual develop the resilience they need for sobriety.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Developing healthy everyday habits helps ensure the body has the tools it needs to heal. This encompasses choices such as:
- Regular physical activity
- A balanced diet with nutrient-dense foods
- Adequate sleep and rest
How an Inpatient Setting Supports Healing
Intense cravings often occur after a cocaine binge or when an individual abruptly stops use. These can contribute to relapse, making inpatient detox and treatment that much more critical to recovery.
Inpatient detox provides a safe, sober environment where individuals can move through the stages of withdrawal with maximum physical and psychological comfort and support. Medical and clinical staff are on hand 24-7 to monitor vital signs, administer medications where needed, and coach patients through intense cravings.
Once the patient reaches medical stabilization, they can begin to participate in intensive group and individual therapies that address the psychological dimensions of cocaine withdrawal and addiction.
FHE offers cutting-edge neuro rehab services to restore brain health in the aftermath of cocaine and other addictions. Neuro imaging technologies can identify and non-invasively treat areas of cocaine-related dysfunction in the brain. In many cases, these evidence-based neuro rehab technologies can restore healthy brain function and may even boost the individual’s resilience to cravings in long-term.
What Comes After Cocaine Detox?
During a medically supervised detox, the body eliminates cocaine from its system. After this phase, the therapeutic work of addressing the root causes of cocaine addiction begins. For most people, this involves a minimum of 30 days in residential treatment. Some people choose longer programs of residential treatment. Generally, the risk of relapse decreases the longer the individual remains in an inpatient program.
However, inpatient treatment isn’t right for everyone. Financial considerations or life circumstances such as job and family obligations make inpatient treatment impractical for some.
In these cases, outpatient treatment offers a viable solution that has helped many people achieve recovery from cocaine addiction. Depending on the severity of the addiction, outpatient treatment may consist of one or more levels of care, such as a partial hospitalization program, an intensive outpatient program, or standard outpatient therapy.
Following inpatient and/or outpatient care, many people choose to include various elements of aftercare in their program of long-term recovery, such as:
- A 12-step support group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Smart Recovery
- Individual therapy and/or family therapy sessions
- Participation in an active alumni program
- The help of a recovery coach
These elements can help people stay sober over the longer term of recovery from cocaine addiction.
Seeking Professional Help
If you or a loved one is struggling, professional help can make a profound difference in the recovery journey. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you can begin physical, emotional, and mental healing. Medical detox is an important first step, helping you safely manage cocaine withdrawal while preparing you for long-term sobriety.
At our South Florida detox center, we offer compassionate, expert care in a secure and supportive environment. Our team understands the challenges of cocaine addiction and the risks of cocaine overdose, and they’re here to help you navigate the journey to healing. With 24/7 medical supervision, evidence-based therapies, and a personalized approach to care, we help patients find a healthier future without drug use.
For a short consultation regarding your needs at no cost to you, contact FHE Health today.
