COCAINE WITHDRAWAL AND DETOX

Cocaine Withdrawal and Detox

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Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine is an illegal stimulant drug. The drug impacts the body’s central nervous system. Those who abuse cocaine feel a sense of euphoria and a rush of energy. It is often said that the sense of alertness it brings is similar to caffeine on a much stronger level.

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug, so quitting cocaine cold turkey is extremely hard to do on your own. Despite an acute awareness of the dangers the drug brings with it, this drug still holds appeal for many. At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we understand the dangers of the drug. We also understand the type of cocaine withdrawal help that can promote recovery.

How Does Cocaine Affect You?

It is important to note that any use of cocaine is considered drug abuse. This is due to the illegal status of the drug. There is no legal way to obtain this central nervous system stimulant. Cocaine is a white powder that is typically snorted.

When the drug is taken, it impacts the brain almost immediately. The brain is stimulated into releasing high amounts of dopamine. This naturally occurring brain chemical is typically linked with reward and pleasure.

There is the potential for severe and permanent long-term damage resulting from cocaine abuse. The drug can alter the structure of both the brain and nerve cells.

Commonly seen side effects of taking cocaine could include the following:

• Anxiety and paranoia
• Excitement and talkativeness
• Alertness or hypervigilance in some individuals
• Over-confidence, leading to dangerous situations

How cocaine is abused will impact both the duration and the strength of the effects. Snorting the drug produces short-lived results, lasting up to 30 minutes. The drug is often also injected or smoked. This produces more intense results that tend to last much less long.

Most individuals who abuse cocaine will take the drug frequently. This will help them to maintain the effects that they desire. There is always the risk of overdose. Injecting cocaine brings with it a higher risk for overdose than snorting alone.

One of the dangers associated with cocaine abuse relates to the heart strain it can cause. In fact, stroke or cardiac arrest are the most frequent causes of death in those who abuse cocaine.

What Does Addiction to Cocaine Look Like?

There is no doubt that cocaine is a highly addictive illicit drug. That is why quitting cocaine takes more than just will power, you need professional help. It can be challenging to recognize when someone is addicted to cocaine.

If you find that you are craving the euphoric rush that accompanies cocaine, you may have a drug addiction. If you find that you are willfully ignoring the consequences of abusing cocaine, this is another sign of an addiction. Cocaine brings with it both physical dependency and psychological addiction.

The psychological aspect of the addiction is quite often the most challenging aspect of recovery. Those who abuse cocaine with frequency will soon develop a dependency on the drug. This means that their body has become accustomed to the presence of the drug.

Tolerance and an increasing need for the drug will mean that the individual struggling with cocaine abuse finds themselves seeking cocaine out more frequently. Failing to do so will ignite the symptoms of withdrawal to start kicking in.

This is why quitting cocaine cold turkey is so difficult to do on your own without professional help and guidance. Cocaine is often used in conjunction with other addictive substances. This is quite dangerous, as it can increase the potential for a fatal overdoes.

The drug is quite often used with alcohol. It can be to the degree that alcohol can trigger a relapse for individuals recovering from cocaine abuse or addiction. It is with this fact in mind that those in recovery must abstain from all substances. Cocaine is incredibly addictive.

It can fast develop into life-threatening drug addiction. It can also bring devastating consequences for all aspects of the individual’s life who is struggling with cocaine use. Recognizing the signs of cocaine addiction allows you to understand when help is needed.

Some of the signs include:

• Lengthy periods of wakefulness, or insomnia
• Dilated pupils
• Over-confidence and over-excitement
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Having the sniffles and a running nose, without other signs of a cold or allergies
• Signs of white powder residue around the nose
• Depression, anxiety, and feeling jittery or on edge

In addition, those who abuse cocaine often can soon start to have brushes with the law. They may also experience financial difficulties due to how expensive the drug is. They could also start to be habitually late to work or miss work entirely.

Without intervention and proper drug treatment, cocaine addiction will prove devastating to nearly every aspect of the life of the person abusing the substance.

The Serious Risks of Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine is highly addictive. It also poses numerous severe risks to the overall health of the person abusing the drug. There are short- and long-term health concerns linked to cocaine abuse. They can be as serious as multiple organ failures.

Cocaine is known to constrict the blood vessels. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure, even amongst the young and otherwise healthy. Snorting the drug can also result in serious damage to the septum and nasal cavity. Larger amounts of the drug can result in violent outbursts. Individuals may experience a stroke, heart attack, and even death.

Commonly seen adverse side effects of cocaine abuse include the following:

• Increased blood pressure
• Headaches
• Chills
• Confusion
• Difficulty sleeping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Coma

The frequency and dosage of the drug will determine the severity of the side effects experienced. With long-term abuse, the lungs, brain, kidneys, heart, and gastrointestinal system can be impacted. Damaging behavioral concerns can also become a reality. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation have been known to occur.

Quitting Cocaine and Getting Help

Quitting cocaine cold turkey can help some to break free from their addiction, but it is incredibly challenging to do on your own. Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable for the person in recovery, however. Medical supervision can help the patient in several ways during drug detox. Knowing the dangers associated with cocaine abuse, you may be wondering if you can die from cocaine withdrawal.

It is not life-threatening to detox from cocaine addiction. The withdrawal itself does not produce many physical symptoms. The symptoms tend to be more in the psychological realm. Treatment, whether in therapy or a drug rehab setting, can boost the chances of a successful long-term recovery.

What Can Be Expected When Quitting Cocaine and Going Through Detox?

The abuse of cocaine boosts the levels of dopamine in the brain. Taking this feel-good chemical away can lead to depression during withdrawal. The feeling of euphoria that cocaine brings with it can fade fast.

This can lead abusers to binge and increase their dosage to stave off the feelings of withdrawal. Some of the most seen withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide
• Fatigue, sleeping for many hours on end
• Agitation, restless behavior, and potentially aggression
• Increase in appetite

When quitting cocaine the withdrawal symptoms typically begin just hours after the last dose was taken. The strongest cravings and symptoms will typically become a reality in the days and weeks that follow. A supervised detox treatment program can offer a supportive and safe environment for the person in recovery.

It can be uncomfortable to go through detox. With work, support, and the right tools on hand, recovery is possible. The biggest concern is the risk of depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.

Quitting Cocaine with Supervised Detox

Supervised detox can provide a safe environment for those struggling with cocaine addiction to get sober; however, all treatment programs require work and dedication. An addiction to cocaine can prove difficult to overcome. Quitting cocaine cold turkey is very hard to do on your own.

Supervised drug detox and recovery can equip the individual in recovery with the right tools to maintain their sobriety after treatment. A supportive environment can give the person in recovery the right head start on their road to long-term sobriety.

When you reach out to Resurgence Behavioral Health, you’ll find our staff to be compassionate professionals. Our team can verify your insurance coverage and other coverage options. Rehabilitation facilities offer a supportive environment for addictions need to focus on recovery.

It is in this environment that the cause of addiction can be addressed. The person in recovery will be able to learn valuable coping tools. Each of these tools can better equip you to face your sobriety with the strength needed.