Cocaine is a highly addictive illicit substance that causes high levels of energy, euphoria, inflated self-confidence, and paranoia. While this drug is extremely easy to become addicted to, many people continue to abuse it.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, 1.9% (or about 5.2 million people) reported using cocaine in the past 12 months.”[1]
When someone becomes addicted to cocaine, their body becomes dependent on the drug. Because of this, missing a dose or quitting the use of cocaine will cause the individual to experience symptoms of withdrawal.
Cocaine addiction and withdrawal must be treated by a professional detox facility. Attempting to detox from cocaine without professional medical intervention can cause individuals to experience severe adverse health effects. A cocaine detox center in West Palm Beach can help patients detox safely and comfortably.
What are the Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal?
People who suffer from a cocaine use disorder will experience symptoms of withdrawal if they abruptly quit using the drug. Unfortunately, the symptoms of withdrawal can be extremely difficult to cope with. Because of this, those who attempt to detox at home often relapse to soothe the symptoms they are facing.
The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include:
- Cravings for cocaine
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nightmares
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Chills
- Muscle aches and nerve pain
- Difficulty concentrating
Oftentimes, the psychological symptoms of withdrawal are much more severe than the physical ones. People experiencing stimulant withdrawal are at an increased risk of experiencing panic attacks due to anxiety or suicidal thoughts resulting from intense feelings of depression.
Thankfully, cocaine detox centers in West Palm Beach can help individuals avoid the severe psychological symptoms of withdrawal by providing them with medications, support, and counseling.
The Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline
The length of withdrawal depends on a variety of factors such as:
- Weight
- Age
- Biological sex
- Metabolism
- How long the individual was addicted to cocaine
- How much cocaine the person was using
Due to these various factors, the exact timeline of cocaine withdrawal is difficult to pinpoint. However, there is a general timeline that most individuals follow when going through withdrawal.
1 to 3 Hours
Withdrawal symptoms may begin 1 to 3 hours after an individual’s last dose of cocaine. The early symptoms of withdrawal include exhaustion, irritability, and anxiety.
1 to 7 Days
Somewhere between 1 to 7 days after an individual’s last use of cocaine, they will begin experiencing intense cravings for the drug.
Additionally, the symptoms during the first week of cocaine detox include insomnia, depression, and rapid mood swings. During this time, individuals are at risk of developing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
2 to 4 Weeks
Between the second and fourth week of cocaine withdrawal, individuals will continue to experience intense cravings for the substance. Without a medical detox program, individuals are at an increased risk of relapse.
Irritability, mood swings, and depression continue to present during this phase of cocaine withdrawal. Additionally, insomnia and vivid nightmares may occur.
5 to 10 Weeks
Somewhere between 5 to 10 weeks of detox, the cravings for cocaine should begin to lessen or completely go away. While the physical symptoms of withdrawal will subside by this time, symptoms of anxiety and depression can persist.
How Does Cocaine Detox Work?
Cocaine detox programs in West Palm Beach are designed to help individuals rid their bodies of cocaine in a safe and comfortable setting. The patient’s vitals will be monitored on a 24/7 basis to ensure that they are safely adjusting to the detoxification process. Medications are used to lessen the symptoms of withdrawal and keep an individual from experiencing severe effects like suicidal ideation.
Monitoring of Vitals
Throughout the process of detox, a patient’s vitals will be monitored to ensure their safety. This includes monitoring their body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure. If a patient displays an abnormality in any of these tests, they will be promptly treated to prevent any medical emergencies from occurring.
Management of Symptoms
During a medical detox program for cocaine addiction, patients may be given medications to manage any moderate or severe symptoms they experience.
Common medications used during cocaine detox include:[2]
- Modafinil – prevents fatigue and drowsiness associated with cocaine withdrawal by helping the individual produce dopamine and sleep well at night.
- Topiramate – eases symptoms of agitation by reducing activity in the central nervous system.
- Vigabatrin – reduces cravings for cocaine by increasing an individual’s production of GABA.
- Gabapentin – helps to restore feelings of well-being by increasing the production of GABA.
- Baclofen – reduces cravings for cocaine and helps individuals feel at ease by increasing GABA in the brain.
- Disulfiram – prevents cocaine relapse by promoting the proper processing of dopamine in the brain.
Transitioning Into an Addiction Treatment Program
Once an individual has completed medical detox they will transition into a cocaine addiction treatment program.
There are many different options when it comes to addiction treatment, including:
- Residential or inpatient addiction treatment
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- Outpatient treatment (OP)
Oftentimes, people choose to attend a variety of addiction treatment programs as a continuum of care. An individual may attend detox, inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and outpatient treatment consecutively. People with mild cocaine addiction might only attend a detox program and outpatient treatment.
Get Connected With a Cocaine Detox Center in West Palm Beach
Cocaine addiction is a serious condition that often causes individuals to experience multiple relapses before they learn to maintain long-term recovery. However, individuals who choose to complete medical detox followed by residential rehab have higher success rates and lower chances of relapse.
If you or a loved one struggles with cocaine addiction, attending a reputable detox center in West Palm Beach is of the utmost importance. Mandala Healing Center can provide you with the detox and inpatient treatment services you need. Contact us today for more information on our drug and alcohol detox and addiction treatment programs.
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