Cocaine Withdrawal and Detox

Addiction can happen to anyone, at any time. As a habit forms and a tolerance builds, so does the person’s dependence on the drug, both mentally and physically. Physical and psychological symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can appear under the radar at first. One of the most common cocaine withdrawal symptoms is a heavy “crash” following the cessation of heavy usage, or even minimal use in some cases. Symptoms of a cocaine crash include:

• A general feeling of depletion
• Dysphoria or depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Exhaustion
• Increased appetite
• Strong desire for sleep
• Diminished cravings

The time period after the crash is when someone who uses the drug regularly may feel the onset of withdrawal symptoms from cocaine. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can include physical and psychological side effects. The cocaine withdrawal period can last as long as 10 weeks in more serious cases. Common symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include:

• Strong cravings to use
• Irritability or anger
• Lethargy and extreme fatigue
• Depression
• Hyperactivity
• Insomnia and erratic sleep
• Poor concentration
• Tremors
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation
• Vivid, unpleasant dreams

The psychological implications of addiction and severity of cocaine withdrawal symptoms can create a sense of desperation, which is exacerbated by the person’s individual circumstances and any co-occurring mental or emotional disorders. Psychiatric disorders can develop as a direct result of cocaine abuse, and cocaine can greatly exacerbate preexisting mental disorders. According to one study, those who use cocaine with a lifetime history of depression are up to five times more likely to report withdrawal symptoms of cocaine and have more severe cravings. Another study revealed that up to 22 percent of suicides may involve cocaine or cocaine withdrawal symptoms. As the intensity and scope of cocaine withdrawal symptoms widen, someone addicted to cocaine may go to great lengths to remedy the problem. To cope with cocaine withdrawal symptoms usually means buying and using more of the drug. Many turn to illegal activities to obtain money or goods to exchange for cocaine. For many, the only way to end the cycle is with detox and treatment in rehab.

There are varying opinions about whether cocaine use can and should be stopped “cold turkey” or all at once in the event of addiction. While some people who are addicted to cocaine may have success in quitting the drug flat out, research shows the severity of cocaine withdrawal symptoms can be magnified and become too much to bear. After periods of heavy use, an attempt to go cold turkey can send the person who’s addicted to the hospital in many cases due to extreme and violent reactions. Many rehab specialists recommend a period of “tapering,” or gradually taking smaller amounts of the drug to train the body to live without it. In a medically-assisted detox scenario, doctors may oversee the process and wean the patient off the drug using cocaine or other medicine. If there are any complications or side effects, the treatment staff is there to offer assistance in whatever way they can. Most importantly, the patient is prevented from going out and using if the temptation arises. The Recovery Village strives to address each patient’s unique situation and develop a treatment plan most likely to help them overcome their cocaine addiction safely and completely. If someone close to you is abusing cocaine, reach out and speak with a professional before insisting on a cold turkey detox that may create additional problems.

“How long does cocaine withdrawal last?” “What is the cocaine withdrawal timeline?” Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Just as there are many factors that impact a person’s substance habits and addictions, there are numerous factors that affect withdrawal (including the cocaine withdrawal timeline). In addition, there are some commonalities associated with cocaine abuse, cocaine addiction and cocaine withdrawal. Scientists have conducted many studies to paint a clear picture of this drug’s effect on the person using it, and the research has revealed some key identifying moments in the cocaine withdrawal timeline. A popular study treatment specialists reference — released in 1986 by Drs. Frank Gawin and Herbert Kleber — defines the withdrawal process of cocaine as a series of three phases, commonly referred to as the cocaine withdrawal timeline. Those phases of the cocaine withdrawal timeline are:

• Phase 1: The Crash (Week 1): Those who use cocaine are likely to experience a crash after they halt their intake of the drug, whether it’s after one dose or an extended period of binging. The duration and intensity of the crash depends on factors such as how much was taken, the purity/quality of the substance, other substances that were taken concurrently, and how much food or water was in the person’s system. A cocaine crash period can last anywhere from one to 40 hours following the final dose, during which sleep man be difficult, if at all possible. Even with a successful period of sleep, general sleepiness and fatigue may last more than two days, or up to 50 hours following the last use, according to the study. Cravings for more of the drug decrease over the course of the crash, as the need for sleep builds and builds. However, the cravings return in the next phase of the cocaine withdrawal timeline. 

• Phase 2: Cocaine Withdrawal (Week 1 — 4): Those who use cocaine may experience one to five “near-normal” days on the other side of a crash, returning to regular sleep routines and minimal cravings. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms like lethargy, anxiety and cravings soon set in, paired with fond memories of their cocaine experience. People, places or things often trigger these cravings. As worded in the original report, based on observations of various men and women withdrawing from cocaine, “subjects then became preoccupied instead with the mechanics of finding cocaine, paying for it and hiding their cocaine use from concerned significant others. If they obtained cocaine, a binge would recur.” Side effects can come and go for up to 10 weeks, while the desire to use again grows and grows. For millions of people who are addicted to cocaine, this results in a vicious cycle of succumbing and repeating the first two phases repeatedly, until a proper intervention or tragic event interrupts the cycle.

• Phase 3: Extinction (Week 5 and On) – If and when someone who is addicted can make it through cocaine withdrawal without using, they can enter a period of less severe cravings and some other side effects that can last several months. The cravings can be intensified without warning due to certain social cues or emotional triggers. The only way to fully complete the cocaine withdrawal timeline, according to these researchers, is to “experience” and “master” the cravings in this extinction phase.

Each person’s cocaine withdrawal symptoms (including the cocaine withdrawal timeline) hinge on certain individual factors, including:

• Physical and mental health
• Environment (school, home life, etc.)
• Other substance use or duration of cocaine abuse
• Peer pressure
• Traumatic events or stimuli

The safest course of action for anyone working through the cocaine withdrawal process is to enlist the help of rehab specialists and participate in some form of supervised detox.

The cocaine withdrawal timeline, and the time that symptoms of cocaine withdrawal peak are often very difficult for many. Physical and psychological side effects can pile up one after the other, making it nearly impossible to focus on day-to-day life or have positive feelings as a whole. For too many people trapped in the web of cocaine withdrawal symptoms, using the drug again can feel like an inevitability, if only to soothe these burgeoning pains. Some turn to prescription pills or herbal remedies that promise to reverse the side effects or balance the brain’s dopamine levels. Some commonly used medication and supplements for cocaine withdrawal symptoms:

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Zolpidem (Ambien)
• Desipramine (Noraprim)
• N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
• Melatonin

There are many more over-the-counter aides and prescription drugs designed to calm stress, induce sleep, and balance brain chemicals. Many who are addicted to cocaine have tried combinations like these in an attempt to reduce the agony of withdrawal. But by taking matters into their own hands, they run the risk of worsening the problem. Prescription drugs in particular are no less dangerous than cocaine when used improperly. The only surefire remedy for cocaine withdrawal symptoms is abstinence from the drug. Considering the side effects and daily temptation to use, though, it’s no surprise how so many men and women who use cocaine don’t make it through this arduous period (cocaine withdrawal timeline). If you think someone you care about is abusing cocaine, help them realize that a supervised detox is the best possible way for them to survive cocaine withdrawal symptoms, avoid a relapse, and be successful in recovery.

The stepping stone between quitting cocaine and a successful rehab program is a process known as detox. Only certified treatment professionals know how to safely detox from cocaine and can guide even the most troubled addiction cases through the proper cocaine detox protocol. The majority of stints in rehabilitation, particularly when someone is still in the stages of cocaine withdrawal, begin in the detox center. Detox is designed to assist people who are addicted to cocaine as well as those struggling with any other substance problem, in safely and carefully flushing the drugs from their system while assisting them through the cravings and other side effects associated with cocaine withdrawal. The detox process occurs in the days or weeks following a patient’s last use of the drug, and helps “cut them off” from seeking a fix or socializing with the people who may enable the addictive behavior. Only when someone has detoxed can they begin the true rehab process. As confirmed by doctors, the best way to detox from cocaine is under the care of professionals. There is no guaranteed length of detox, as each patient is unique and requires special attention. Someone admitted for detox can expect to be evaluated thoroughly so the extent of their condition and their individual needs can be determined. It’s standard for both a physical and psychological evaluation to take place. As those in recovery move onto treatment, doctors continue to evaluate their mental, emotional and physical health, and adjust the program as needed. Following the evaluation stage, the detox center meets with the patient and assesses the extent of their addiction. This may involve a number of tests to help accurately determine how much cocaine and other offending substances may be in the patient’s system, and if there are any allergies to medication. Supervised medical care can then begin, which varies in intensity based on the patient and clinic amenities. Patients who have abused this drug experience a spectrum of cocaine withdrawal symptoms and side effects during detox. Rehab facilities such as The Recovery Village offer 24/7 medical supervision for those detoxing from cocaine. Our nurses and doctors make sure all patients are comfortable, fed and hydrated, and that pain is kept at a manageable level. In some cases, we use detox medication to aid patients who experience severe pain or other potentially serious side effects during cocaine withdrawal. Along the way in the detox process, treatment centers including The Recovery Village discuss options for continued care and paving the way for a successful, full recovery. Our trained staff does everything they can to help prepare patients for rehab, as well as maintain communication with loved ones outside of the facility. This is another benefit of medical detox at a rehab facility — it creates a strong foundation and eases patients into treatment, including getting to know the addiction treatment professionals on staff. Finally, a very important goal of professional detox is to try to understand the reasons the person is abusing drugs and address any larger problems they might be dealing with outside of substance use. Treatment is of no service if it doesn’t help each patient in addressing their lifestyle choices and, if necessary, providing them with the right connections and resources to improve their life overall.