Cocaine Withdrawal

Cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive controlled substance derived from the coca plant [2] and comes in both a powdered or solid form known as crack cocaine. Cocaine drug abuse can bring about a variety of sharp withdrawal effects.

While cocaine withdrawal is not as intense as withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs, it can still be a dangerous and uncomfortable process that can have detrimental effects on your physical and mental health. It is best to seek the help of a cocaine detox center if you are looking to quit cocaine. Organizations such as the Mental Health Services Administration emphasize the importance of professional support for individuals experiencing withdrawal.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common physical and psychological symptoms of cocaine withdrawal. Whether you are struggling with powder cocaine or crack cocaine, withdrawal symptoms can be similar.

Common cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Persistent fatigue or lack of energy
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Restlessness or difficulty sleeping
• Body aches, chills, or tremors
• Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or excessive sleepiness
• Strong cravings for cocaine, especially in response to stress or triggers
• Depressive symptoms, including hopelessness or apathy
• Heightened anxiety and agitation
• Irritability and unpredictable mood changes
• Mental fog and difficulty focusing

Additionally, protracted withdrawal symptoms—meaning symptoms that last for longer than the average withdrawal timeline—may include cravings, insomnia, persistent depression, anxiety, and mood swings for weeks or even months after stopping cocaine. Severe withdrawal symptoms, although rare, may occur as well, including dysphoria (overwhelmingly depressive thoughts) and suicidal ideation [3].

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms is not only uncomfortable but may lead to a cocaine relapse. This is why it’s important to recognize the signs of withdrawal and seek medical help as needed.

Signs of Cocaine Withdrawal

Multiple factors will affect the severity of cocaine withdrawal symptoms, most notably:

• How much of the drug you’ve been using
• How long you have been using the drug
• The severity of your addiction
• Co-occurring substance abuse
• General health

The following timeline is a rough estimate and may vary due to these individual factors. With that said, cocaine withdrawal is characterized by three distinct phases:

Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline

With mild or moderate cocaine addictions, stimulant withdrawal symptoms could be gone in as little as 24 hours. Even though a day doesn’t seem that long, withdrawal can still be extremely dangerous and emotionally upsetting. While physical symptoms will generally subside first, depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues can persist for weeks or even months.

The cocaine withdrawal timeline typically occurs as follows:

1. Crash phase: Initial detox phase with flu-like symptoms, lasting 1-3 days.
2. Withdrawal phase: The most severe physical symptoms are generally over within the first week, but sleeping issues, cravings [1], and psychological symptoms may continue. This phase can vary for each individual but typically ends within 4 weeks.
3. Protracted Withdrawal Phase (PAWS): Not everyone experiences Post-Acute (Cocaine) Withdrawal Syndrome, but mood-related symptoms such as dysphoria and anxiety can persist for weeks or months. Seeking professional support can help manage and alleviate these symptoms.

For moderate to severe addictions, withdrawal symptoms may last for two to four days. These withdrawal symptoms will be more substantial and may even require medical supervision.

Almost all acute withdrawal symptoms should disappear within ten days. What lingers in the case of cocaine withdrawal are intense cravings for the drug. Sometimes, these intense cravings can push people to the brink of relapse; that is why it’s important to seek addiction treatment and relapse prevention therapy in tandem. Some treatment programs utilize drug tapering to help ensure safety during the cocaine withdrawal timeline.

How to Detox From Cocaine Safely

If you or a loved one is struggling with a cocaine addiction and needs to get sober, the most effective and safe solution is to find a clinical cocaine detox center with a treatment improvement protocol. For moderate to severe cocaine addiction, there can be physical and psychological complications that arise during the withdrawal phase of detox, making it necessary to have medical supervision at hand in case of emergency.

A secondary but important benefit of detoxing in a clinical program is the ability to transition into a rehab program, significantly improving the chances of long-term sobriety. Clinical programs can reduce relapse and become a dependable resource for those in recovery.

Most cocaine detox programs are covered up to 100% by insurance issued through your employer, and you can find some that take Medicare and Medicaid as well.

Cocaine Detox Programs

For those experiencing cocaine withdrawal, enrolling in a medical detox program specializing in cocaine addiction offers the best chance for a successful recovery. With the right help, you can safely overcome withdrawal and take the first step toward a healthier, sober life.

During the cocaine detox process, clients will start treatment at an inpatient or residential treatment facility and be monitored 24/7 by medical professionals as they deal with the withdrawal symptoms.

Cocaine withdrawal can bring common symptoms like nerve pain and mood swings, along with an increased risk of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Unlike alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder, there is no FDA-approved medication for treating cocaine withdrawals, although research in this area is ongoing and promising. Buprenorphine and naltrexone could be beneficial, according to the findings of some animal studies.

Unlike other forms of substance abuse, dealing with cocaine withdrawal is not typically life-threatening, and attending a detox program will help individuals navigate this critical first stage of recovery. A structured program reduces cravings for cocaine use, eases early cocaine withdrawal symptoms, and allows clients to focus on detoxing from cocaine.

How Long Does it Take to Detox from Cocaine?

A cocaine detox will be different for everyone, but generally, detoxing from cocaine will take about 5-10 days. From there, clients can keep moving forward with the treatment process at a rehab program.

Get Cocaine Addiction Treatment at Renaissance Recovery

In cases of severe cocaine addiction, medically supervised detox is advisable. Renaissance Recovery can help you find the best detox facility near you. After a week or two of safe detoxing, you’ll be ready to transition to ongoing treatment.

For those with less severe cocaine addiction, outpatient substance abuse treatment at Renaissance allows you to live at home and fulfill your everyday commitments while attending weekday therapy sessions at one of our beachside rehabs in California or Florida.

Cocaine addiction responds well to behavioral therapies like CBT, where you can learn to identify the triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Our team understands the unique nature of addiction and can create a personalized treatment plan with the following therapies:

• Motivational therapies
• Psychotherapies (CBT, DBT)
• Holistic treatments
• Medication management
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Counseling
• Sober support network
• Aftercare

When you’re ready to conquer cocaine dependence, call Reniassance at 866-330-9449

Sources

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10805009/

[2] https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cocaine#what

[3] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cocaine-withdrawal#treatment