Cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that originates from South America from a plant called Erythroxylon coca.
Cocaine hydrochloride is extracted and isolated from this plant. Cocaine used to be an ingredient in different medications and was used to treat a variety of illnesses. It was even an ingredient in Coca-Cola. Nowadays, cocaine is rarely administered by doctors and only for certain ailments. As a Schedule II drug, it has an extremely high potential for abuse. As a Stuart rehab facility, we know that quitting cocaine is difficult to do without professional help. We offer a variety of medically assisted treatments to help our patients safely get through cocaine withdrawal symptoms. We encourage you to contact us for more information on these services.
Why Does Cocaine Cause Withdrawals?
Cocaine causes withdrawal because of its profound effect on brain neurochemistry. Cocaine mainly affects the brain's reward system by preventing neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine from being reabsorbed. As a result, these neurotransmitters build up in the synaptic cleft, amplifying and extending their effects. The intense euphoria and pleasure associated with cocaine use are primarily caused by elevated dopamine levels. On the other hand, long-term drug use upsets the normal equilibrium between neurotransmitters and their receptors, changing the brain's neuroadaptive processes.
The brain experiences an abrupt shortage of these artificially elevated neurotransmitter levels when cocaine use stops. The withdrawal symptoms of coke are brought on by this imbalance as the brain tries to return to normal. The physiological dependence that results from long-term cocaine use is highlighted by these withdrawal symptoms, which also show the complex interaction between the drug and the brain's reward system. The withdrawal period, which can be a difficult part of beating a cocaine addiction, is the body's attempt to return to a new baseline without the drug's constant influence.
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What Are the Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal?
Cocaine withdrawal, or cocaine withdrawal syndrome, occurs when a chronic or long-term cocaine user suddenly cuts down on or stops using cocaine. Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can be uncomfortable, painful, and even life-threatening if the detox is attempted without professional guidance. These symptoms can be both physical and psychological because dependence affects both the body and mind.
Some common cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Difficulties breathing
- Slowed physical activity
- Quickly being fatigued after doing physical activity
- Decreased sexual arousal or inability to be aroused
- Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Chills
- Tremors
- Body aches
- Nerve pain
- Muscle aches
- Increased appetite
- Cocaine cravings
Certain symptoms are similar to the signs of a cocaine overdose. If you or someone you know doesn’t know how to detox from cocaine, we can help. Banyan Treatment Centers Stuart offers a variety of programs, including a cocaine detox. This form of detoxification is specially designed to help patients who are struggling with cocaine addiction safely begin their recovery journey.
Can You Die From Cocaine Withdrawal?
Although cocaine withdrawal does not usually result in death, there are risks to one's health and safety during the process that can seriously jeopardize one's well-being. Both physically and psychologically, the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can be extremely distressing. Sometimes, the intense emotional distress that comes with withdrawal causes people to contemplate suicide or act dangerously. The psychological difficulties linked to cocaine withdrawal may exacerbate potentially fatal circumstances, highlighting the significance of offering all-encompassing assistance and close supervision during this delicate time.
Furthermore, people who have abused cocaine for an extended period may already have health conditions like cardiovascular disease, which can get worse during the withdrawal phase. The cardiovascular system is known to be negatively impacted by cocaine use, which increases the risk of arrhythmias and heart attacks. Stopping cocaine use suddenly can strain the heart and circulatory system further, increasing the risk of problems like cardiac arrest. Therefore, even though cocaine withdrawal is not usually fatal in and of itself, it is important for those going through withdrawal to seek medical supervision and support to ensure their safety during this difficult stage of recovery due to the associated health risks and complications.
How Long Does Cocaine Withdrawal Last?
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can begin as soon as 90 minutes after the person’s last use and can last for 7 to 10 days. However, while symptoms of cocaine withdrawal may not persist longer than 10 days, addiction cravings can last for months or even years. Symptoms usually peak between the third and fifth day and may begin to subside by the seventh.
The exact cocaine withdrawal timeline may depend on factors like:
- Duration of the person’s addiction
- Size of dose
- Whether they’ve been using other substances
- Environmental factors that initially contributed to the addiction
- Co-occurring mental illness
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Cocaine Withdrawal Treatment at Our Florida Drug Rehab
The best treatment for cocaine withdrawal is a medically monitored detox like the one we offer at Banyan Stuart. Our facility offers a variety of substance-specific detox programs in Stuart, FL, led by our medical personnel. Medical detox is a safe and effective way to alleviate cocaine withdrawal symptoms and help patients begin their cocaine addiction treatment in a healthier state of mind and body.
If you or someone you know is battling drug or alcohol addiction, we’re here to help. Verify your insurance and call our team now at 888-280-4763 to find out more about personalized treatment for substance abuse at our Florida rehabs.
Source:
- NIH – What Is Cocaine?
