It’s happening to more people than ever: The first time was to find out what all the fuss was about at a party, and it was a good time. Now your thoughts revolve around how to buy more and, then, how to stop using it. A 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that more than 5 million people, aged 12 years and older, had used cocaine at some point in the previous 12 months and that 1.3 million people are addicted to cocaine. If you are asking the question, “How long does cocaine withdrawal last?” you may be addicted. If cocaine has affected your body, mind, and life, making the responsible decision to get help is the most critical step.
What is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a Schedule II, powerful and addictive stimulant. If used repeatedly, cocaine can alter both brain structure and function. However, safe use is possible when medical professionals use local anesthesia for ear, eye, and throat surgeries. The danger lies in long-term use; dealers use contaminants to cut cocaine and cocaine use with other drugs and alcohol. Nevertheless, treatment and recovery from cocaine addiction are possible. How long does cocaine withdrawal last? Detox time varies but generally takes five to seven days.
Cocaine affects the brain and causes negative moods and displeasure when not used. In addition, slight withdrawal symptoms, such as moodiness, and irritability, cause the user to seek more cocaine. The body builds a tolerance to cocaine and becomes dependent. This increases the dosages of cocaine and increases detox times.
Dangers of Cocaine Use
Once considered a harmless party drug, cocaine has proven highly potent and addictive. Occasional cocaine usage can turn into a full-blown addiction very quickly. The dangers of cocaine use are the profound physical and psychological dependence that builds with continual use of the drug. Cocaine combined with other substances makes treatment difficult. How long does cocaine withdrawal last? Physical and mental dependence cause detox to be a lengthy process.
Cocaine’s long-term usage affects the brain and can cause permanent damage. Diminishing cognitive ability, many dangerous situations can occur when high on cocaine. For example, large amounts of cocaine can affect the heart and cause a heart attack. Other dangerous complications are stroke, seizures, and gastrointestinal problems. So how long does cocaine withdrawal last? Symptoms of withdrawal can last months after extreme and extended addiction.
Death can occur from excessive cocaine usage. Death is usually through a heart attack. Speedballing, which is using cocaine with heroin, can easily cause death through overdose. Cocaine is a dangerous substance, and addiction can ruin a life.
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What are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Cocaine?
The detox process should begin eight to 12 hours after the last usage of cocaine. Extreme fatigue is typical to experience first. For those who have built up a cocaine dependence within the body, it represents fatigue and anxiety. Detox causes extreme lethargy. Quite often, addicts experience feelings of agitation combined with profuse sweating. While in detox, you will continually ask, how long does cocaine withdrawal last?
During the first few days of detox, the addict could experience the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Sleep deprivation
- Difficulties with concentration
- Loss of motor control
- Restlessness
By the end of the third day of detox, the addict could experience the following symptoms:
- Breathing difficulties
- Extreme fluctuations in blood pressure
- Convulsions
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Pain and discomfort
- Extreme anxiety
- Urges to stop detox and relapse
- Suicidal thoughts or tendencies
- Agitation or irritability
- Altered eating habits
- Altered sleep habits
- Intense dreams and nightmares
- Headache
After the first five to seven days, the remaining symptoms can include the following:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Lessening of severe symptoms
- Possibility of a recurrence of symptoms
How Long Does Cocaine Withdrawal Last?
Treatment professionals state that everyone reacts differently to the detox process. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the detox timeline. Individual factors to consider are the amount of cocaine used and the length of the addiction. The frequency of cocaine abuse is another factor that impacts the duration of withdrawal symptoms. How long does cocaine withdrawal last? It can take anywhere between five to seven days for detoxing to occur for some, but for others, it can take up to three weeks.
Complications can occur during detox and affect the length of detox time. In addition, the following factors can complicate the detox process:
- Co-occurring substance abuse or polysubstance abuse: An addiction that includes multiple substances can increase the severity of the symptoms and time spent in detox.
- Co-occurring mental health disorders: It is common for those with a substance abuse disorder to experience a co-occurring mental illness. When this occurs, the time spent in detox could grow more complicated.
- Underlying medical issues: Chronic illnesses or medical disorders may experience additional symptoms or have more intense symptoms during withdrawal.
- Relapse: A brief relapse during detox can significantly extend the length of time.
Safely Detox from Cocaine in Tennessee
Safely detox from cocaine with our professional detox program. Our treatments can address complications and issues that may occur on an individual basis. Contact us today to get started with your important decision to become sober. Step up and be assessed by our medical staff, and begin the process now.