Everything You Should Know About Cocaine Withdrawal

Cocaine withdrawal happens when a drug user or addict stops using a drug that they have, over time, become dependent on or addicted to. Depending on the drug, some withdrawal symptoms can be less severe than others.

For example, sometimes after a patient stops taking long-term pain medication, they get flu-like symptoms which are actually part of the withdrawal from the medication. They don’t associate it with the drug they just stopped taking, and in most cases won’t crave the drug because their mind hasn’t made the association between the two.

When withdrawing from something like heroin or cocaine, however, the withdrawal period of quitting is much more intense and difficult to make it through. There’s usually an intense craving for the drug as the person realizes that using the drug would alleviate the difficult symptoms.

While difficult, withdrawing from cocaine is sometimes a necessary step to recovery. Knowing what to expect before experiencing it can help you make it through successfully and come out on the other side sober, healthier, and happier.

What to Expect and Ways to Make It Better

When it comes to cocaine withdrawal symptoms, the first thing that usually occurs is the crash. When someone is using the drug, they are on a high of increased energy, hyper-alertness, confidence, and possible anxiety. Once they stop taking the drug, all of that crashes. Once the crash begins, expect:

  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Paranoia
  • Mood swings

After the initial crash, there are other symptoms of cocaine to expect. Some users experience an increased appetite and lingering depression.

There will be cravings throughout the withdrawal period, which comes from a combination of wanting to subside the effects of withdrawal and wanting to re-experience the high of cocaine.

Another thing that commonly occurs is mood changes. Anything from feeling anxious to irritable or depressed is normal, but luckily it subsides with time.

Wondering how to cope with cocaine withdrawal symptoms? Nowadays, there are better tools and more educated and equipped healthcare professionals than there have ever been before, with things like medications designed to relax the neurons and keep cravings away. Beyond medicine, there are new cocaine management methods that focus on changing a person’s way of thinking, identifying triggers, and instilling self-reinforcing systems to ease cravings.

Typical Withdrawal Duration

How long does it take to detox from cocaine? It depends on the individual, but most symptoms begin to subside after 7-10 days. The thing about asking, “How long does cocaine withdrawal last?” is that cravings can still occur months, even years later after true withdrawal has occurred and passed.

Withdrawal from cocaine can happen up to 90 seconds after the drug is used because it has such a short half-life. Its length once it starts is determined by a couple of different factors. The following can make the difference between a week-long withdrawal and a few-weeks-long withdrawal:

  1. Length of use
  2. Size of dose
  3. Dependence (Multi-substance dependence)
  4. Environment
  5. Mental health disorders

How to Withdraw from Cocaine Safely

Withdrawing from cocaine safely is important. Before you ask, “Can you die from cocaine withdrawal?” you should know that while cocaine withdrawal death is not common, it’s always a good idea to go through withdrawal in the company of medical professionals that can provide supervision and medical care to ease the discomfort.

The aftermath of substance abuse can lead to depression or even suicidal thoughts, so it’s nice to have someone else trained around to help you manage those thoughts and feelings. Within the first ten weeks is when cravings occur and produce what’s normally thought of as withdrawal with severe agitation and restlessness.

After this period, one goes into a period of “extinction,” which can last up to 30 weeks while the former addict deals with intermittent thoughts of cocaine that pop up. During this period, having a strong support system makes things easier and much safer.

For all stages of withdrawal, having supportive people around you who want sobriety and freedom for you is the best way how to cope with cocaine withdrawal symptoms.

Help With Cocaine Withdrawal – Talk to SOBA

For help with cocaine treatment in a controlled, safe, and comfortable environment, SOBA New Jersey is here. Learn the proper way how to detox from cocaine, get support in planning for your future after recovery, work through triggers and relapse threats with family, friends, and professionals who care.

Our unique three-phase program helps introduce sobriety, instill responsibility and independence, plan for a successful future, and see yourself beyond your addiction. Upon completing all three phases, each client graduates from their recovery, but the journey doesn’t end there. After treatment, they’re set up with all the resources they need to continue their successful sobriety into the months and years to come.

Ready to quit? Talk to SOBA today.