Listening to stories from people who have gone through a cocaine addiction can be very confronting, most reveal stories of how the addiction was hell on earth. They spend all that disposable income on cocaine, but then they start spending more and more, miss their work, and stop seeing friends. All this makes them unreliable, untrustworthy, and lack credibility. No one wants to be categorized this way.
When you lack a source of income, yet you are a full-grown adult with needs and responsibilities, it gets harder to make good decisions. There is hardly ever a happy ending for that kind of servitude lifestyle to the drug. At such a point, loved ones are advised not to enable their addictive behaviour but to let them hit rock bottom. From here, they will want to change their habits with the help of some rehabilitation programs.
In many cases, drug addiction doesn’t just ruin a person’s life, it takes the whole family. So many families are dealing with the blowback from a son or daughter’s addiction.
What is cocaine?
Cocaine or “crack” is a highly addictive stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant. It originated from the South American jungles and a strong demand for the drug in the global North has seen it transported, sold, and consumed. The drug is in two main forms:
- Powder cocaine—A white powdery crystalline form that is snorted, dissolved in water, or injected into the human body.
- Base cocaine—A less common form of cocaine before it’s processed into crack or powdery form.
Crack is a cheaper form of cocaine made from mining cocaine hydrochloride with ammonia or baking soda to give an appearance of irregularly shared whitish rocks. While its effect is similar to that of cocaine, it is more potent.
What are the effects of cocaine abuse?
Cocaine misuse and addiction expose its users to many negative effects, several which are life-threatening.
Among the risks of taking cocaine are:
- Cardiovascular and other heart effects include irregular heartbeat or heart attacks.
- Gastrointestinal effects like nausea and abdominal pains
- Neurological effects like stroke, seizures, and impaired cognitive functioning
- Respiratory challenges like lung damage, asthma, nasal damage, nosebleeds, swallowing issues, or pneumonia.
How one takes cocaine into the body is also a risk. For instance, those who inject, smoke, or snort the substance are at a high risk of contracting illnesses like HIV, hepatitis C, or other blood-related diseases. Snorting the powder risks damage to the inside of your nose or sinuses, while oral use increases the likelihood of bowel decay.
Sometimes negligence or sloppiness from repeated use and impairment of judgment can result in life-threatening overdoses. When this happens, the person experiences powerful chest pains and cardiovascular complications.
The presence of added impurities in some cocaine products aimed at increasing the stock can result in a fatal overdose. A combination of cocaine and alcohol poses a huge risk to the body which then results in cocaethylene production, increasing cocaine’s potency.
Chronic cocaine users are physiologically dependent on the drug. At this point cutting back usage can bring about serious withdrawal symptoms. As a result, people would rather continue using cocaine than avoid their symptoms. Cocaine withdrawal is not a death sentence in itself but can bring about conditions like dysphoria, low mood, or suicidal behaviour.
When should one seek help for cocaine addiction?
Many times people who are admitted into drug addiction treatment programs abuse cocaine in conjunction with another addictive substance. If you have an insatiable addiction to multiple substances, it only adds to the complexity of the recovery process. For example, a person abusing heroin or cocaine can suffer from life-threatening dehydration, nausea, and vomiting. When it comes to such extremes, only professional help will get you out of the hole you have dug yourself. So how do you know your time for rehab has arrived?
- Relapsed before—shaking off months or years of continuous use of cocaine is an uphill task. If you have quit and failed before, you need help to complete that journey.
- You are sick—you suffer from drug-induced dehydration, have trouble catching sleep, and can’t shake off the powerful insatiable urge.
- Too scared to quit—when you read about cocaine withdrawal symptoms you get so nervous and uncertain where to start.
What are the top cocaine withdrawal medications?
Just so we are clear, the Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved a cocaine withdrawal medication. Most of the ones used in cocaine treatment are used to manage certain symptoms like insomnia, depression, or anxiety. Rehabilitation centres often administer them under strict medical supervision as part of a broader behavioural support therapy. Medications frequently in use are:
Antidepressants
Just like any other addictive narcotic drug, cocaine alters your brain chemistry resulting in depression when the high fades or as you find yourself unable to operate without it and useless. Those who have suffered from longstanding depression tend to develop suicidal thoughts whenever they relapse. Using targeted medications can relax the brain chemicals and keep you comfortable.
Post-treatment, those who can completely abstain from using it make a full recovery. Medications like bupropion or SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like fluoxetine help improve the likelihood of abstinence from people working on their cocaine addiction recovery.
Sleeping medication
People who have abused cocaine for a very long time will have to be slowly tapered off the drug over a while. A sudden stop can be harmful to the body as it can simultaneously result in intense cravings, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and other psychological symptoms.
When you make slow changes to something like quitting a habit, your body gets more time to get used to the new situation. This makes stopping, like getting over withdrawal, easier and not as tough. Doctors prescribe replacement therapy which involves introducing other stimulants into the body that are less potent or addictive. Some of the medications used here are tradozone, hydroxyzine, and Benzodiazepines.
What is the timeline for cocaine detox?
The body feels the impact of cocaine withdrawal immediately after consuming the drug. However, the duration spent in withdrawal depends on how long you have been using it, and your overall health.
3 stages of cocaine withdrawal
- Crash—when the high from cocaine wears off you start feeling lethargy, depression, and craving for more.
- Withdrawal—the lack of cocaine forces the body to call out for them. That explains the flu-like symptoms as the body recovers.
- Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)—as your body cells heal you develop mental health issues.
A recent study shows that 5% of all cocaine users annually develop an abuse problem. Once they develop a physical dependency disorder the body needs more of the substance to operate normally. The first stage of withdrawal takes place within hours of taking the last hit, while mental health disorders or insatiable craving episodes can last for months. People who have used cocaine for a long time are more likely to relapse, and that explains the need for treatment that prevents them from going into a relapse. Medications such as sleeping pills and antidepressants will help you feel comfortable as you undergo therapy. The duration in which a cocaine withdrawal lasts will vary among people depending on their use patterns among other factors. Here are some of the phases:
Acute withdrawal (crash)
An acute withdrawal period involves early symptoms like intense cravings and dysphoria. Other symptoms are fatigue, anxiety, agitation, and low energy can be experienced. Dysphoria eventually progresses into suicidal thoughts. At times you feel sleepy but find yourself unable to despite the exhaustion. The acute withdrawal phase lasts between 1-2 weeks.
Post-acute withdrawal
In this phase, you get exhaustion, extreme mood swings, excessive sleeping, increased appetite, and drug cravings. The symptoms last 2 weeks after a person last used cocaine.
Protracted withdrawal
Some experience extended withdrawal symptoms such as physical and mental energy, depression, lingering fatigue, and anhedonia which run for weeks and months beyond an acute withdrawal period. Others also experience symptoms like psychotic episodes or strong drug cravings.
Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal
Cocaine withdrawals bring about physical and psychological/behavioural symptoms. Common symptoms are:
- Dysphoric mood
- Depression
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Slowed movements
- Sluggish mental energy
- Continued drug cravings
- Difficulty when sleeping
- Nightmares
- Memory loss problems
- Trouble concentrating
What determines the severity and length of withdrawal symptoms
How long and severe cocaine withdrawal varies depending on the following factors:
- Duration cocaine is used
- Amount of cocaine used
- Administration route
If you use a lot of cocaine often, you’re more likely to get hooked on it. Things like how much you use, how often, and how you take it can make cocaine more powerful and easier to get addicted to.
What are the levels of care in cocaine addiction treatment?
Cocaine addiction treatment happens in different approaches from detox, outpatient, and inpatient rehabilitation varying in intensity and duration. There is no single one-size-fits-all remedy. All treatments are individualized based on the subject’s use of the substance and if there are any medical, social, legal, vocational, or psychological issues. Among the challenges are co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression, as people who use the substance tend to combine it with other substances like heroin or alcohol.
The length of treatment further varies from days, weeks, months, or longer, However, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), treatments are linked to better outcomes. Research shows that most patients benefit from treatments extending 3 months or longer.
Detoxification
Detoxifying the body is an important first step in the recovery process for those struggling with an addiction. While it is not always required, it helps in managing acute intoxication and withdrawal. This keeps the patients comfortable and safe while minimizing harm brought about by cocaine and other substances. Medical detox centres give round-the-clock monitoring, support, and treatment should complications arise.
Inpatient cocaine addiction treatment
Best suited for chronic users who require 24-hour monitoring, structured care, housing, and medical attention. It is the safest approach for those without a supportive environment while at home. The duration in which they remain under treatment varies anywhere from a week to a month.
Outpatient cocaine addiction treatment
Outpatient cocaine rehab is different from inpatient rehabilitation where they remain living at home and receiving treatment in outpatient facilities that are structured. Outpatient rehabs vary according to duration and intensity.
Also, receiving continuous care, when you keep getting help and support after you’ve finished a treatment program for recovery. It’s like a follow-up to make sure you stay on track.
Here are tips on how to recover from a cocaine comedown
When you recover from a cocaine comedown, here are strategies and other practices that help alleviate its support and symptoms. Experiences differ as what works for one person might not work for others. Here are the steps you can take:
Balanced nutrition
Only consume food that is nutritious and helps your body recover from a cocaine crash. Eat foods high in minerals, vitamins, and other antioxidants that replenish and support your overall well-being. Eat foods that have whole grains, proteins, and good fats.
A supportive environment
Reach out to your family and friends who understand your experience best. Socializing helps manage negative feelings and thoughts while providing lifesaving relief from depression.
Mindful and relaxing techniques
Deep breathing exercises, muscular relaxation, and meditation help in lowering your levels of anxiety while delivering a certain level of calmness.
Prevent triggers
Keep away from places and situations that could trigger your cravings or any other substance you are hooked on. That is the only way to prevent repeated highs and crashes that only come with worse withdrawal symptoms.
Remain positive
Over time, the bad feelings you get when you stop using cocaine will go away. Keep that in mind when you feel like using again; remember how good it feels to be free from those comedown symptoms.
Get professional treatment
When you repeatedly experience cocaine crashes, it demonstrates addiction. Professional treatment will help you leave cocaine in the past while focusing on building a better life in recovery.
Group meetings
You can sign up for groups like cocaine anonymous. When in meetings, you are in a safe space with others facing the same predicament and can offer each other encouragement from a non-biased position.