Cocaine Withdrawal

Cocaine Withdrawal

Title: Cocaine Withdrawal
Authored by Philippa Gold
Edited by Hugh Soames
Reviewed by Michael Por
Detox and Withdrawal from Cocaine: At Worlds Best Rehab, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information on the web so our readers can make informed decisions. Our subject matter experts specialize in addiction treatment and behavioral healthcare. We follow strict guidelines when fact-checking information and only use credible sources when citing statistics and medical information. Look for the badge on our articles for the most up-to-date and accurate information. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate or out-of-date, please let us know via our Contact Page
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Cocaine Withdrawal

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Cocaine Withdrawal

What is Cocaine

Cocaine is one of the most widely abused drugs in North America and Worldwide. Addiction is nothing now, but what is new is the super worrying trend of increasing deaths due to Cocaine overdose. In part, this can be said to be due to a number of factors such as:

Lack of education around Cocaine
Increase in Pharmaceutical Prescriptions generally
A failure of Governments worldwide to do enough to stop Cocaine addiction and related deaths
Societal thinking regarding addicts and Cocaine addiction
Lack of Harm Reduction methods around Cocaine usage
Lack of addiction related education in the medical professional

Further reading about Cocaine from around the web

Cocaine (from French: cocaïne, from Spanish: coca, ultimately from Quechua: kúka) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. As an extract it is mainly used recreationally and often illegally for its euphoric effects, but it is Schedule II in the U.S. and recognized for its medical value. It is primarily obtained from the leaves of two Coca species native to South America: Erythroxylum coca and E. novogranatense. These medicinal herbs naturally contain cocaine and have a history of use among indigenous American peoples. After extraction from the plant, and further processing into cocaine hydrochloride (powdered cocaine), the drug is administered by being either snorted, applied topically to the mouth, or dissolved and injected into a vein. It can also then be turned into free base form (crack cocaine), in which it can be heated until sublimated and then the vapours can be inhaled. Cocaine stimulates the reward pathway in the brain. Mental effects may include an intense feeling of happiness, sexual arousal, loss of contact with reality, or agitation. Physical effects may include a fast heart rate, sweating, and dilated pupils. High doses can result in high blood pressure or high body temperature. Effects begin within seconds to minutes of use and last between five and ninety minutes. As cocaine also has numbing and blood vessel constriction properties, it is occasionally used during surgery on the throat or inside of the nose to control pain, bleeding, and vocal cord spasm.

Cocaine crosses the blood–brain barrier via a proton-coupled organic cation antiporter and (to a lesser extent) via passive diffusion across cell membranes. Cocaine blocks the dopamine transporter, inhibiting reuptake of dopamine from the synaptic cleft into the pre-synaptic axon terminal; the higher dopamine levels in the synaptic cleft increase dopamine receptor activation in the post-synaptic neuron, causing euphoria and arousal. Cocaine also blocks the serotonin transporter and norepinephrine transporter, inhibiting reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine from the synaptic cleft into the pre-synaptic axon terminal and increasing activation of serotonin receptors and norepinephrine receptors in the post-synaptic neuron, contributing to the mental and physical effects of cocaine exposure.

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What Are Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms?

Withdrawal from Cocaine is a serious matter. The effects on the body from Cocaine use is extreme, and because of these effects Cocaine withdrawal can very quickly become an acute medical emergency. Withdrawal from Cocaine can cause a hypertensive crisis or myocardial infraction. In other words, a stroke or heart attack caused by sudden stoppage in taking Cocaine or respiratory distress syndrome whereby your body shuts down from the lungs and respiratory system outwards. Cocaine withdrawal can also lead to serious anxiety and mental health related issues.

Never in any circumstances underestimate the seriousness of Cocaine withdrawal¹. If you are withdrawing from Cocaine it is advisable to seek medical attention and in the case of medical emergency from Cocaine withdrawal do not hesitate to head to the nearest Emergency Room.

Cocaine withdrawal will vary for everyone and will be affected by several factors. The length and severity of Cocaine use with be one of the main predictors of withdrawal symptoms and intensity. With Cocaine withdrawal, it’s impossible to accurately predict how an individual will react to withdrawal.

Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline

Full Cocaine withdrawal often takes seven to fourteen days but sometimes longer, and the Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are categorized according to their severity.

There are no minor symptoms of Cocaine withdrawal. The first symptoms to exhibit themselves, usually 3-12 hours after Cocaine withdrawal starts proper are headaches, tremors, sweating, itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and total confusion with anxiety or depression.

These are followed relatively quickly by the next stage in Cocaine withdrawal timeline by:

Insomnia
Seizures
Hallucinations
Confusion
Tremors
Anxiety
Digestive discomfort
Headaches
Heart palpitations
Panic attacks
Muscle pain
Psychosis
Delirium tremens
Relapse

Worryingly, every time an individual attempts Cocaine withdrawal the severity of symptoms tends to increase.

Cocaine withdrawal has a mortality rate of between three and 19 per cent, depending on seriousness of Cocaine usage.

Withdrawal from Cocaine is a physically demanding process, in which the body will utilize every means possible to remove toxins, while creating psychological challenges because of the changes to the individuals brain chemistry.

Cocaine Detox Process

The severity of Cocaine detox makes it a process that should be approached carefully. Cocaine Detox, especially for those with a heavy or long-lasting Cocaine dependency, produces a range of symptoms and in extreme cases withdrawal can be fatal. However much they may want to end their addiction to Cocaine, it’s vital to seek medical advice and enlist the support of their loved ones.

Cocaine Withdrawal at a Rehab

Detoxing from Cocaine within a treatment facility ensures medical help if it’s needed during the treatment process. Because Cocaine rebound is a significant danger during withdrawal, having medical personnel present 24-hours a day can mean an instant response to any hypertensive or life-threatening crisis that may occur as a professional tapering process lowers the chances of patients experiencing fatal episodes.

Cocaine withdrawal and detox begins with an initial medical exam to determine the patient’s physical condition upon entry into the rehab. This pre-detox Cocaine withdrawal period can last up to 24 hours, as medical personnel determines both the patient’s general medical condition and drug history.

Detoxification of the patient’s body from Cocaine begins after the pre-detox period ends. Medically assisted or tapered withdrawal from Cocaine can take up to a few weeks to complete.

Rapid Detox from Cocaine

Rapid detox from Cocaine is a controversial topic and one that is unlikely to be accepted by everyone for its positive uses. It is a concept that has helped individuals addicted to Cocaine and other drugs kick the habit and gain the help they need to live a healthier lifestyle.

A patient undergoing a rapid detox from Cocaine is put under anesthesia for up to six hours. During this time, an opioid antagonist drug such as naltrexone is used to remove the Cocaine from the patient’s body. Rapid detox can alleviate some of the more distressing symptoms of Cocaine withdrawal.

The Cocaine rapid detox method is used to stop a patient from feeling the devastating effects of Cocaine withdrawal. Sedating the patient and putting them under anaesthesia allows them to “sleep” through the initial heavy Cocaine withdrawal and detox process. The hope is that after the rapid detox process, the patient will wake up with their body completely clean of Cocaine. The remainder of the withdrawal process will be minimal enabling the person to get on with the rehab process. Throughout rapid detox, the patient is monitored to ensure safety.

Does Cocaine Rapid Detox Help Withdrawal Symptoms?

Experts claim that rapid detox from Cocaine is a safe way to cleanse the body. It is also more pleasant as individuals who go through Cocaine withdrawal can experience shakes, sweats, nausea, and other issues for long periods.

Cocaine withdrawal can take weeks to fully complete. However, rapid detox from Cocaine can take only a few days to a week at most. While the process of undergoing anaesthesia is just a few hours, Cocaine detox patients can be kept in a medical clinic for monitoring afterwards. The process enables a patient to get – for many – the most difficult and frightening part of rehab out of the way. Once completed, patients can focus on the mental and emotional side of recovery.

For most Cocaine addicts, the biggest barrier of attending rehab is withdrawal. The pain and distress Cocaine withdrawal can have on a person can drive them back to using. Therefore, limiting or stopping a person’s physical Cocaine withdrawal symptoms allows them to focus on making a full recovery.

By completing a residential rehab program following rapid detox, individuals can fully recover from their Cocaine addiction.

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