Withdrawal is as much a companion to addicts as the euphoria of a high and can be a strong motivator for them to keep abusing. If someone you know is addicted to cocaine, they need to learn that the pain of withdrawal is nothing compared to the alternative—cocaine overdose claims the lives of over ten thousand Americans annually, and with every day that goes by, a cocaine addict’s risk of fatality only rises. Even if they don’t die, cocaine usage can have permanent effects on one’s health, causing brain damage and other lasting conditions. Cocaine addicts should seek comprehensive treatment & rehab programs in Tennessee in order to get the medical and psychological support they need.
What Cocaine Withdrawal Does to the Body
Every cocaine abuser experiences different symptoms during withdrawal, which vary based on the duration and severity of their addiction as well as their personal health. Uniquely, cocaine withdrawal rarely has visible physical symptoms, unlike heroin and other drugs. Withdrawal can start as soon as 90 minutes after the last dose, and commonly causes symptoms such as:
- Severe depression and mood swings
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Anxiety, paranoia, and general stress
- Nightmares and hallucinatory episodes
- Generalized sensations of discomfort and sickness
- Weakness and slowed movement
- Increased appetite
- Anhedonia (an inability to experience pleasure)
- Chills, muscle aches, and general pain
- Strong cravings for cocaine, even if the high is no longer pleasant
Many of these symptoms, such as depression and cravings, can stick with an addict for weeks or even months after they stop abusing. Co-occurring disorders and other addictions can also complicate withdrawal, prolonging or intensifying the suffering. Due to the intensity and duration of cocaine withdrawal, it’s important that cocaine addicts seek formal treatment at a detox center.
Treatment Facilities Can Relieve Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal is always painful, but its symptoms can be minimized through the medication-assisted treatment plans that many facilities offer. Medications such as Modafinil, Topiramate, Baclofen, and Vigabatrin are frequently used to quell the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal and can help patients with insomnia, anxiety, discomfort, cravings, and other symptoms on an as-needed basis. Unlike opiate replacement therapies, these types of medications are used for shorter durations and generally have a lower risk of contributing to a new addiction in recovering addicts. Just as importantly, treatment facilities offer the supervision of an encouraging host of medical professionals who are focused on ensuring a successful and comfortable recovery, forming a valuable support group for addicts who might have lacking support networks of their own due to their long term addiction.
If you’re struggling with cocaine addiction and withdrawal, you deserve help. Discovery Place’s 30-day alternative residential treatment program in Tennessee offers a compassionate, affordable recovery environment that minimizes the risk of relapse. The thought of withdrawal can be intimidating, but a temporary period of moderate discomfort is far superior to the alternative—a lifelong addiction with social, financial, and physical consequences that lead to death. Please, if you or someone you know is struggling with a cocaine addiction, contact us at 1-800-725-0922 to learn more about what treatment plan is right for you. We’re available any time of day, any day of the week, and we can answer any and all questions you might have about withdrawal and the recovery process.
