Author: John Carter

Cocaine Detox: Symptoms, Timeline, and Professional Help

Short-term inpatient centers typically start with medical detox and are followed by a program of addiction treatment, such as therapy or counseling, for 30 to 90 days. These programs range from basic inpatient to luxury options, all varying in terms of their amenities and types of therapy. These facilities usually provide 24-hour medical support and are led by a team of clinicians and doctors. Short-term inpatient rehab is ideal for individuals who need detoxing and therapy, but who don’t require long-term treatment.

This requires an individual to stop taking cocaine, and this is best done through medically supervised detox. Because cocaine is a highly addictive substance, it can cause dependence ― which is where your body becomes dependent on the drug and needs more of it to have the same effects. Cocaine dependence can also cause withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop or detox from the drug.

Contingency Management

Withdrawal symptoms are potentially dangerous to your long-term health, which is why you shouldn’t attempt this alone. A detox aims to remove all traces of cocaine from your system while managing your physical and mental health. This sometimes involves using carefully controlled medication to ease your symptoms and allow you to get plenty of sleep – aiding in your recovery. The advantage of going to a detox center is that medical assistance is readily available.

In-patient treatment programs can help people go through cocaine withdrawal in a safe and medically monitored setting. Medical and mental health professionals can provide guidance and can treat any symptoms as needed. Depending on the severity of the addiction, long-term treatment may be a good option, especially as many programs address the underlying emotional causes of one’s drug abuse. Long-term treatment also provides ample time for the individual to physically withdraw from the drug while they focus on their mental and emotional rehabilitation. These centers also vary in terms of their provision of amenities, which range from basic to luxury options.

Finding exactly how cocaine interacts with the brain is a subject of ongoing research. Dopamine, which cocaine triggers, plays a big role in why the drug is so addictive. The bad news is that the third stage lasts for about six months, during which you will continue to experience a low or depressive mood and continued cocaine cravings. Prolonged cocaine use causes your body to adjust to these elevated levels of brain chemicals.

The Matrix Model is another form of therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating addiction to stimulants, like cocaine and methamphetamines. Through guided therapy, patients learn about issues connected to addiction and relapse. These sessions are designed to promote self-esteem and self-worth while the patient and therapist work together to reinforce positive behavioral changes.

Currently approved to treat alcohol addiction, this drug blocks the enzymatic breakdown of cocaine and dopamine, resulting in increased anxiety and an unpleasant high. Studies have shown that these uncomfortable feelings can discourage cocaine use and prevent relapses. When you use substances like alcohol or drugs over a long period of time, your body can develop a dependence on these substances. This involves the use of different cognitive models that help people with a cocaine addiction deal with the issues of low confidence and self-esteem, issues that usually fuel the addiction.

Supported living

Standard outpatient is also ideal for people who may be juggling other responsibilities, such as work or school. Individuals typically report to a treatment center or clinic 1 or 2 days per week. These programs can include counseling, group therapy, 12-Step groups, skills development, goal setting, and relapse prevention training.

Two stages follow if you are in the withdrawal process to quit cocaine use. People with a cocaine addiction may begin withdrawal syndrome after they have run out of the drug. For those withdrawing from cocaine addiction, depression often accompanies fatigue. The person may experience a slowing down of activity that goes along with the depression, as well as growing, generalized anxiety and a lack of pleasure.

1. If you are going through cocaine withdrawal symptoms, or know someone who is, never hesitate to reach out for support.
2. These centers also vary in terms of their provision of amenities, which range from basic to luxury options.
3. Cocaine dependence can also cause withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop or detox from the drug.
4. Beta-blockers such as Propranolol can reduce anxiety and restless symptoms that follow withdrawal from cocaine.
5. Long-term inpatient treatment programs vary in length, but typically range between 3 to 18 months.

Medical professionals can supervise, help manage symptoms, and monitor for any complications. Cocaine causes your brain to release elevated levels of certain brain chemicals. Understanding cocaine withdrawal and what you should do if you’re experiencing symptoms. Cocaine, sometimes referred to as “crack cocaine,” is a stimulant substance with addictive properties. According to statistics from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 4.8 million adults 18 and older in the United States reported using cocaine in 2021.

Mental health

She is the founder of The Master in You, a mental wellness site that provides information about the role that thoughts and emotions play in our physical and emotional health. Jenn is passionate about inner growth and the power of the mind-body connection, and this informs her writing and research on addiction treatment. On Rehabaid, Jenn aims to write accessible, informative content and provide resources that can help people make empowered and informed decisions about their recovery. Getting adequate nutrition after detoxing from cocaine is vitally important. The right diet can help repair any damage incurred following sustained drug use and lead to improved immunity, cognitive function, and a higher energy level.

Cocaine is a highly addictive substance that can cause withdrawal symptoms during detox, including agitation, fatigue, depression, and more. Cocaine detox can start as soon as 24 hours after the last dose, and it can take more than 1 to 2 weeks for acute withdrawal symptoms to stop. When people with a cocaine addiction decide to seek treatment, they will likely have withdrawal symptoms, including cravings and physical symptoms as well. As cocaine leaves your body, symptoms such as strong cravings, depression, anxiety, and severe fatigue can begin. Symptoms after are often more intense for people who’ve used cocaine for an extended period. This first step, supervised by medical professionals, ensures that cocaine is safely removed from your body.

Symptoms can begin even when there’s still cocaine left in your bloodstream. With continued use, your brain will start to rely on cocaine to produce these elevated dopamine levels. Your brain will produce less dopamine naturally, therefore increasing your reliance on the drug.

This is called chronic withdrawal, long-term withdrawal, postacute withdrawal, or subacute withdrawal, and it can last for up to 2 months. The withdrawal symptoms of cocaine use can vary depending on the person and on the length and severity of their cocaine use. Jenn is a Canadian writer and poet with a background in psychology, sociology, and natural health.