If you want to quit using cocaine and have been using large amounts for a long time, you will go through cocaine withdrawal. There are unfortunately no two ways around it. But it is so worth it.
In this blog, we will look at everything you need to know about cocaine withdrawal, so you can properly prepare yourself for what comes next. If you want more information or support stopping using cocaine, contact Wellbrook Recovery.
Table of Contents
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
There are many different withdrawal symptoms of cocaine. Not everyone experiences all of them, but if you are a chronic user of cocaine or crack cocaine, you are likely to experience some.
Depression
This is one of the more common symptoms of cocaine withdrawal. Cocaine causes dopamine levels in your brain to be significantly raised and as cocaine is one of the chemicals that cause happiness, when you stop doing coke, cessation will cause you to have a low mood.
How depressed you feel depends on how much you were using, how long you were using, and how pure the cocaine you were using was. Greater purity levels often cause greater depression, but this is not always true. If you had been taking cocaine that was cut with other stimulants, the depression may actually be worse, even though technically the purity level is less.
If you experienced depression before you started taking cocaine, this may come back. One of the tasks of attending rehab is addressing any underlying mental illness that you may have.
Sleepiness
Sometimes when people have been abusing stimulants get to rehab, for the first week they sleep most of the time. This is completely normal, and can actually be considered a good thing. When someone abuses stimulants, their body is not able to repair itself and the nervous system goes into overdrive.
The excessive sleep experienced when someone first stops taking cocaine allows your body and mind to heal and reset. People who stop using cocaine may also begin eating a lot when they quit using, for much the same reason.
Irritability
When you quit taking coke, you are likely to feel grumpy and irritated for a while. This might last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. During this time, be aware that your temper might flare up easily, and try not to lash out if possible.
The work that you do in rehab will help you be able to work on any anger problems that you may have, which should decrease your irritability.
Paranoia
While paranoia is usually thought of as a symptom of cocaine use, it can also occur when someone has stopped taking the drug. This is, however, one of the less common symptoms of cocaine withdrawal.
Cravings
When you stop using cocaine after chronic use, you will experience cravings for more of the drug. When you experience these cravings, do something to take your mind off them. You can try going to the gym, watching a good movie or (ideally) contact someone who has been through it.
The support of someone who knows what you are going through is absolutely invaluable when you are having cravings. This person can reassure you that you can get through it. That the person you are talking with has stopped taking cocaine is testament to this.
How Long Does Cocaine Withdrawal Last?
Cocaine withdrawal usually lasts five to ten days in the initial acute phase. During this period you will experience the worst of the cocaine withdrawal symptoms. Be aware that after the acute phase is over, you may also experience Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS).
During the PAWS phase of withdrawal, you may experience waves of cocaine withdrawal symptoms that last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. These symptoms are unlikely to be as severe as the initial symptoms, but can still be quite unpleasant. For this reason, make sure to take it easy in the first few months following cocaine cessation.
If possible, aim to work less or not a tall. Focus on looking after yourself by eating healthy, establishing and maintaining healthy connections with other people who are sober, working out and taking care of your mental health. Doing all these things will help you in the long run, and can also reduce PAWS symptoms and even the length of time that you experience PAWS for.
Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline
Cocaine withdrawal starts from around 24 hours after stopping and lasts for around a week. During this time you will experience the most severe of the symptoms. Cravings will be at their worst at this time, which also means that the risk of relapse is very high.
After this week period has elapsed, PAWS may kick in. As mentioned above, PAWS symptoms are not as severe as those experienced in the acute stage of withdrawal, but they are still unpleasant enough to cause a relapse. Continue to be watchful and implement a solid program.
The Benefits Of An Inpatient Drug Rehab For Cocaine Addiction Treatment
While in the past some people have been able to stop taking cocaine without inpatient drug rehab, the chances of being able to do this are significantly reduced.
Going to inpatient drug rehab allows you to be looked after during the tentative first stage of recovery from cocaine addiction. This stage is characterized in many people by relapse. Having staff around you who can support you and being in a drug-free environment massively reduces the risk of you relapsing.
Being at an inpatient drug rehab also means that you can work on all of the underlying issues that have kept you trapped in cocaine addiction. Working on these will ensure that you have the best chance of long-term recovery.
How To Get Help With The Wellbrook Recovery Cocaine Rehab Center
Wellbrook Recovery knows the unique challenges that people with cocaine addiction face. Addiction to this dangerous drug can be hell. To make things worse, today many people in different walks of life use cocaine, which increases the risk of coming into the drug when you are attempting to quit.
We know the challenges, but we also know the solutions. If you would like to know exactly how Wellbrook Recovery can help you recover from cocaine addiction, contact us today.
