Cocaine Detox
Cocaine Detox in Port St. Lucie
Cocaine – also known as crack, girl, charlie, and chang, among other street names – is a highly addictive substance known for its psychological dependence. Regular use of cocaine alters how the brain releases dopamine, a natural feel-good chemical produced by the body.
Although detoxing from cocaine does not produce some of the severely dangerous withdrawal symptoms that other substances do, it can be an extremely challenging process and cause psychological and physical distress.
What Is a Cocaine Addiction?
Cocaine is usually found in the form of a fine, white powder. However, if the drug is cut with other substances, such as talcum powder or cornstarch, its appearance can vary. Typically, this happens when cocaine is bought from dealers hoping to increase profits by bulking the drug up.
More dangerously, cocaine is also commonly cut with other drugs such as amphetamine or synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Combining these substances with cocaine comes hand-in-hand with significant risks, especially if the user is unaware of the combination. Unfortunately, the recent increase in the number of overdose deaths is thought to be related to this trend.
Like many other drugs, cocaine has a very rapid onset of symptoms. However, these symptoms vary depending on the way the drug is used. Typically snorted, injected, or smoked, the different methods of using cocaine produce slightly distinct feelings and intensities.
No matter how cocaine is administered, the immediate effects often include:
Euphoria
Increased levels of energy
Enhanced alertness
Increased use of the senses
Irritability
Paranoia
In addition to the above, some people believe that cocaine makes them function more efficiently. However, taking a large quantity of cocaine in one sitting can lead to strange, unpredictable, and violent behavior.
Cocaine dependency, or addiction, is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as when somebody displays three of the following criteria:
A tolerance to the effects of cocaine
Requiring higher quantities of cocaine to produce the same effects
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using
Using large amounts of cocaine whenever it is available
Being unable to reduce the amount of cocaine used
Preoccupation with acquiring and using cocaine
Engaging in dangerous or illegal behavior to obtain money to buy cocaine
Being unable to hold down a job
Neglecting work responsibilities
Continually using cocaine despite negative consequences
Cocaine Detox Timeline
When treatment is sought for cocaine and drug abuse, detox must be completed. Cocaine detox can be uncomfortable and unpleasant. However, it is vital if an individual is to recover.
Typically administered via American addiction centers, the timeline of cocaine detox consists of three phases:
The crash phase – This is generally experienced very soon after stopping cocaine use. Individuals can initially feel irritable, anxious, and tired, and cravings may temporarily subside in this phase.
The withdrawal phase – In this phase, cravings may begin to increase again, and those completing cocaine detox may experience side effects such as difficulty concentrating and lethargy. Often longer than the crash phase, the withdrawal phase of detox increases the risk of relapse.
The extinction phase – An individual may experience sporadic urges to use cocaine during this phase. Generally, at this point, people are more attuned to their internal and external triggers and can use coping strategies to control them.
What Are the Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal?
Unlike withdrawal from other substances, such as alcohol and amphetamines, which give rise to severe physical withdrawal symptoms, cocaine detox primarily produces psychological withdrawal symptoms, including:
Decreased alertness
Lack of concentration
Slowed movement
Exhaustion or fatigue
Restlessness
Decreased libido
Depression
Anxiety
Suicidal thoughts
Unpleasant dreams or nightmares
Muscle twitches and tremors
Body aches
Urges to use cocaine
Increased appetite
Vivid dreams
How Long Does Cocaine Withdrawal Last?
When people commence cocaine detox, they often question how long cocaine withdrawal symptoms may last. Although many believe that the answer is straightforward, it is not. Many factors contribute to the length of the withdrawal and cocaine detox process.
One factor that contributes is the half-life of cocaine. As this is somewhat short, withdrawal symptoms can start as rapidly as ninety minutes after the last dose and continue for two weeks. However, factors that can affect this average timeline include:
Length of use – For individuals who have been using cocaine for a prolonged period, withdrawal symptoms may linger for weeks after the last use.
Quantity – People who use significant amounts of cocaine usually experience withdrawal symptoms for one week to ten days. In contrast, those who use smaller amounts may only experience symptoms for a few days.
Multiple substance abuse – The detox process can be more complicated and challenging for people with numerous substance addictions.
Environmental factors – If cocaine is used as an escape mechanism from stressful situations, staying within the stressful environment may trigger the use of the drug, interrupting the detox process and prolonging the withdrawal process.
Co-occurring physical or mental health issues – If somebody is suffering from a condition such as depression or an eating disorder, this can cause complications during the detox from cocaine.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding cocaine withdrawal symptoms, treatment should be completed via a rehab or detox center under the care of medical experts.
Is Medical Supervision Necessary?
Some individuals can complete cocaine detox via an outpatient program. However, support from medical professionals is strongly advised. This is particularly true for individuals who have attempted to detox before and have relapsed. Comprehensive, round-the-clock care can be the difference between successfully recovering and relapsing.
One of the more severe risks associated with intense substance withdrawal is an increased risk of suicide. Individuals who embark on a detox process may experience mental health issues such as depression, fluctuating moods, and suicidal ideation. For this reason, if a cocaine user has a co-occurring mental health condition, detoxing alone can be dangerous. In this instance, a medical detox followed by holistic addiction treatment to address both the withdrawal symptoms and mental health needs is recommended.
Regular cocaine use causes the brain to adapt to the increased dopamine activity associated with cocaine use. After somebody has been using it for a considerable amount of time, the brain’s reward system is interrupted and becomes desensitized to dopamine.
Individuals in this position often need increasingly large quantities of the substance to feel good. When they are sober, they may feel depressed and hopeless about life, causing them to once again turn to drugs. However, with professional addiction treatment, cocaine detox can be successfully completed, and many go on to secure a lifelong recovery.
How To Manage Withdrawal Symptoms
Some of the most problematic cocaine withdrawal symptoms encountered when detoxing are anxiety, depression, and intense cravings. If these psychological symptoms are experienced, doctors may prescribe medication to help alleviate them.
Although withdrawal symptoms can seem overwhelming at times, healthy habits and coping strategies can be implemented to ease the process and prevent relapse.
These include:
Drinking lots of water
Eating good food
Exercising
Getting adequate sleep
Joining a community support group
Additionally, community support groups, behavioral therapy, and psychotherapy are effective methods of progressing through recovery and maintaining sobriety.
Addiction Treatment Available for Cocaine Detox
Across the country, there are many treatment options available for cocaine detox. At NP Addiction Clinic, we offer flexible treatment options tailored to each client’s needs.
With years of experience, our medical team understands the challenges those in recovery go through. Some also have lived experiences of addiction and are here to support those suffering.
Should an individual choose to recover at NPAC residential treatment center, we provide them with a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan aided by round-the-clock care, world-class nursing staff, outstanding treatment facilities, and addiction specialists.
Although dedicated professionals who possess clinical expertise and have a great passion and commitment for compassionate care are on hand to provide cocaine withdrawal treatment, our clients are encouraged to take an active role in their recovery process.
During an individual’s time in our rehab center, treatment is tailored to their needs. To ensure that each person receives the treatment they need, we assess factors such as drug abuse history, co-occurring mental health disorders, previous treatment, and recovery goals. We will also ascertain the available level of care upon completing treatment to ensure that sobriety can be maintained.
The NP Addiction Clinic Method
Overcoming addiction requires more than just detox from cocaine. Though detox is vital, it is only the first step on the recovery journey. To secure a lifelong recovery, those who complete detox must identify the underlying cause of their addictive behavior and work on healthier coping strategies to manage these issues.
To support clients in doing so, we provide holistic healing. At NP Addiction Clinic, we believe this is the most successful method. It considers each person’s well-being to help them recover from the addiction and any associated mental health issues. These underlying issues often perpetuate addiction, so by treating them and increasing inner strength, those in recovery find themselves better able to overcome any challenges ahead.
At NP Addiction Clinic, we recognize that every client is unique. We focus on personal growth and healing through our 12-step groups and alternative therapies to help those in our care re-center mindfully and creatively.
Our treatment approaches include:
Art therapy
Family counseling
Group therapy
Individual therapy
Medication
Music therapy
Support groups
Recreational therapy
With our medical expertise, compassionate care, and deep understanding, anyone who enters our center can find an alternative to addiction.
What Is the Outlook for Cocaine Addiction?
Addiction is a severe illness, and prolonged cocaine use can damage the mind and body, affecting many areas of life, such as work, relationships, and physical health. Untreated addiction can also lead to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts. For this reason, anybody living with addiction must access either an outpatient or inpatient treatment program.
Cocaine abuse can have a serious impact on the mind and body. If left untreated, those who abuse drugs may find themselves in hazardous scenarios. However severe addiction may be, support is available. Although addictions to stimulants can be difficult to overcome, specialist treatment for cocaine misuse can help those in need regain control of their life.
At NP Addiction Clinic, we are committed to caring for our client’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Call or email us today to find out more about cocaine detox or to start treatment.
Why Choose NP Addiction Clinic?
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