Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline
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Cocaine is a stimulant drug that has a very high potential for abuse and addiction. Once addiction takes hold and compulsive cocaine is entrenched, it is very hard to quit the drug without professional support.
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Wellness Retreat Resort Center provides the medical and psychological support needed to safely guide individuals through the cocaine withdrawal symptoms and timeline. Once detox and withdrawal is completed, individuals transition to the addiction treatment phase of recovery.
Understanding Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine remains a popular drug of abuse, especially among young adults. Cocaine impacts the brain by producing a flood of dopamine that then sends a reinforcing message to the reward center. The cocaine quickly crosses over into the bloodstream, which speeds up the nervous system, causing the desired effects. It isn’t long before cocaine cravings prompt the individual to repeat the cocaine use.
As tolerance increases with repeated cocaine use, the person needs to use cocaine more often and at higher doses to obtain the desired effects. Some individuals take added measures to enhance the cocaine high by smoking it or injecting a liquefied version.
Intense cravings drive continued use, which swiftly turns into an addiction. The brain pathways become altered, which sets up the addiction cycle. Over time, the prior effects of euphoria and energy are replaced with fatigue, depression, and mood swings.Â
Signs of cocaine abuse might include:
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- Manic mood
- Weight loss
- Lack of sleep
- Money problems
- Social withdrawal
- Chronic nosebleeds
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Hyperactivity
- Muscle tics
- Agitation
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Paranoid thoughts
- Want to cut back or quit cocaine but cannot
- Increased tolerance causes higher and more frequent dosing
- Cocaine cravings
- Failure to fulfill daily obligations at home and work
- Obsessed about having cocaine on hand
- Continue to use cocaine regardless of the adverse consequences
- Stealing money from people to finance the cocaine habit
- Having withdrawals when the cocaine effects wear off
Risks of Cocaine Addiction
The short-term effects of early cocaine use may be pleasurable, such as high energy, euphoria, and feeling invincible. However, over the long term, cocaine abuse is very damaging to a person’s health.
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Consider the long-term risks of cocaine addiction:
- Enlarged heart
- Heart arrhythmia
- Destruction of nasal tissue and cartilage
- Financial ruin
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Vascular damage
- Kidney damage
- Cardiac arrest
- Possible overdose
- Increased risk of suicide
- Death
At a time when fentanyl has made it into the cocaine supply, many people are ingesting the deadly drug unknowingly. This has resulted in thousands of cocaine overdose deaths in recent years.
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After cocaine addiction has developed, the first step in breaking free from the drug involves detox and withdrawal. Cocaine detox is not a particularly dangerous process. However, without ongoing supervision, most will give up and return to the drug when withdrawal symptoms reach their peak.
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Although cocaine withdrawal symptoms and timelines are highly variable, here are some possible symptoms:
- Extreme fatigue
- Headaches
- Restlessness
- Itchy or prickly skin
- Chills
- Slowed thinking
- Trouble concentrating
- Agitation
- Sleep problems
- Vivid nightmares
- Cocaine cravings
- Increased appetite
- Depression
- Hallucinations
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms range from mild to severe. Several factors can influence the cocaine withdrawal symptoms and timeline. These include the duration of abuse, consumption levels, method of use, poly-substance abuse, age, and co-occurring mental health disorders. All of these can increase the symptom severity and prolong the detox timeline.
Stages of Cocaine Withdrawal and Detox Timeline
Wellness Retreat Recovery Center has highly-trained detox experts to assist with all stages of cocaine withdrawal. They provide medical interventions and psychological support throughout the detox process, which may take 1-4 weeks.
Cocaine withdrawal follows a three-stage process, with symptoms emerging within 6-24 hours of last use. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms and timeline include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Inability to feel pleasure
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Increased appetite
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Strong cravings
- Trembling
- Dehydration
- Heart arrhythmias
Stage 2: Peak Withdrawal. During this phase, symptoms increase in intensity and may last a week. This is the most uncomfortable stage of detox. Symptoms may include:
- Extreme cravings
- Depression
- Apathy
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Nightmares or vivid dreams
Stage 3: Post-Acute Withdrawal. Even though the majority of symptoms have resolved, there are some that persist. This is referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). These symptoms may linger for up to four weeks, depending on the severity of the cocaine addiction. PAWS symptoms may include:
- Mood swings
- Cravings
- Extreme fatigue
- Insomnia
Treatment for Cocaine Withdrawal and Addiction Recovery
The next steps in the battle against cocaine addiction involve enrolling in an immersive residential treatment program. These multi-modal interventions help to change the disordered compulsive behaviors that reinforced cocaine dependency. The treatment elements include:
- Individual Psychotherapy. A therapist guides you toward changing maladaptive behaviors using evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT.
- Group Sessions. Under the guidance of a clinician, small groups meet to discuss topics related to recovery.
- Education. Classes teach new coping skills that are essential for supporting a cocaine-free life in recovery, including relapse prevention.
- Holistic. Holistic methods are included in the program to complement therapy. These include yoga, art therapy, mindfulness, and massage.
Reinforce Recovery to Stay Free from Cocaine
After completing the program at Wellness Retreat Recovery Center, the focus shifts toward safeguarding recovery. Here are some key actions that can help reinforce recovery following cocaine rehab:
- Outpatient Treatment. After completing a residential rehab program, it is best to step down to an outpatient program. Outpatient treatment provides the support needed in early recovery when cocaine relapse is common.
- Sober Living. Sober housing can offer a safe, supportive, substance-free space as you adjust to a cocaine-free life. Sober living offers structure, fellowship, and accountability at a vulnerable time in recovery.
- Recovery Community. Seek out a local recovery group, such as N.A. or SMART Recovery, to enjoy social support and camaraderie.
- Self-care Actions. It is important to develop healthy new lifestyle habits in recovery. Joining a gym, eating a healthy diet, and taking care of mental health are key self-care actions.
Wellness Retreat Recovery Center for Cocaine Detox and Rehab
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