Cocaine withdrawal: symptoms, timeline and treatment
Understanding cocaine withdrawal and what you should do if you’re experiencing symptoms.
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Prolonged use of cocaine can mean your brain produces less dopamine naturally, and as a result users become dependent on the drug to function. When you suddenly stop taking cocaine, your mind and body respond with the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal.
Withdrawal is the process your body and mind go through as they adjust to functioning without the drug. It can lead to intense cravings and various psychological and physical symptoms that can be unpleasant and sometimes dangerous. The withdrawal symptoms you experience can also make it difficult to stop taking cocaine, leading to an increased risk of dependence.
The severity of your withdrawal symptoms depends on how heavily and regularly you used cocaine, and how you consumed it – either snorting, injecting or smoking it.
Recognising the signs of cocaine withdrawal
Within 24 hours of last using cocaine, it’s likely that you’ll experience a ‘crash’ due to levels of dopamine in your brain suddenly dropping. As your body adjusts to functioning without cocaine, you may experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms:
- Feeling drained and tired
- Sleep disturbances
- Changes in appetite
- Motor-related symptoms, such as tremors or slowed movement
- Diarrhoea
- Excessive sweating
- Headaches
- Intense cravings for cocaine or other substances
- A profound sense of sadness and hopelessness
- Anxiety, intense worry or panic attacks
- Vivid and unpleasant dreams
- Suicidal thoughts
- Paranoia
- Restlessness
- Hostility or aggression towards others
- Impaired cognitive functioning, such as difficulty concentrating or poor decision-making
If you experience any of the following severe withdrawal symptoms, seek medical assistance as soon as possible:
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Suicidal thoughts
- Delirium Tremens (DTs) including tremors, chest pain, heavy sweating, nausea or vomiting or fever
Timeline of cocaine withdrawal
Cocaine withdrawal tends to happen in phases. These are referred to as: acute, post-acute and protracted withdrawal.
Within 24 hours after using cocaine, you start to experience a ‘crash’, also known as the acute phase of withdrawal.
During the acute withdrawal phase, you might feel down, anxious and paranoid. You might also experience fatigue, low energy and dysphoria (a sense of profound unease). These psychological and physical symptoms often lead to an intense craving for the substance. In some cases, people may feel suicidal.
After the first 24 hours, some people experience a post-acute withdrawal phase, which usually subsides within 10 days. Symptoms may include exhaustion, extreme mood shifts and continued drug cravings.
When withdrawal symptoms continue for weeks or months, this is known as protracted withdrawal. For example, some people may become increasingly suicidal and continue to have strong craving for the drug.
How long does cocaine withdrawal last?
For most people, cocaine withdrawal symptoms last less than 2 weeks. Some people might have withdrawal symptoms for a few days while others might feel them for weeks or months.
The cravings, mood swings and depression can often linger for some time after you’ve stopped using the drug.
How long cocaine withdrawal lasts depends on the amount consumed and frequency of cocaine use, and how long you’ve been addicted to cocaine.
Individual physiological factors, such as your metabolism, age and overall physical health can also impact the length and severity of cocaine withdrawal.
Another important factor is how the drug is taken (snorted, smoked or injected). The faster the substance reaches your brain, the more addictive it becomes. This may increase the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
Crack cocaine is a solid form of cocaine that’s usually smoked in a pipe. The withdrawal symptoms associated with crack cocaine can be severe and make it harder to stop using it.
Injecting cocaine powder also heightens the potency and addictive potential of the substance and can therefore increase the intensity of withdrawal.
Risks and when to seek medical help
A major risk of prolonged cocaine use is withdrawal, which is a sign of dependence on the substance. Going through withdrawal is uncomfortable and distressing, although it’s usually not life-threatening.
If you experience the following symptoms after you stop taking cocaine, you should seek urgent medical attention:
- Severe depression and feeling at risk of suicide
- Extreme cravings that you feel unable to control
- Prolonged sleep disturbance, as this can increase the risk of mental health deterioration, paranoia and hallucinations
- Experiencing chest pain, heart palpitations or difficulty breathing
- Hallucinations or paranoia, which could indicate a severe psychological reaction
- Using other substances along with cocaine such as opiates or alcohol, as this could complicate withdrawal management
If you’re worried about your cocaine use, you can contact us to arrange a free addiction assessment and discuss possible treatment options for drug addiction. At Priory, we offer world-class treatment and detoxification for cocaine addiction at a network of UK hospitals and wellbeing centres.
The NHS can refer you into detox and treatment for cocaine addiction for free. Due to high demand, waiting times for these services can be long and there may be limited availability.
Some people find support groups based on the 12-step model, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), helpful.
The importance of medically supervised withdrawal
Medically supervised detoxification is the first step in treating a drug addiction during rehab. This process manages your withdrawal symptoms in a safe and comfortable clinical environment.
Withdrawal from cocaine can be distressing, dangerous and lead to relapse. Going through this process under medical supervision can ease some of the distress and reduce the associated risks.
Clinical Support during withdrawal
Clinical supervision in a rehab facility helps manage both the psychological and physical challenges of withdrawal, including severe symptoms like delirium tremens (DTs) or hallucinations.
During detox, you might be prescribed controlled medication to help you to manage your withdrawal symptoms. This will be done under supervision, reducing the risk of addiction transferral (when a person shifts from one addiction to another).
Once the cocaine has been removed from your system and you’re stable enough, you’ll be offered therapy to address the underlying causes and triggers of your addiction. This will support your recovery and minimise the risk of relapse.
Frequently asked questions
Can withdrawal be done at home?
Withdrawing from cocaine can be uncomfortable and dangerous.
Withdrawal shouldn’t be attempted at home alone, instead it should be done with a medical professional as part of a medically assisted detox.
What can you expect from cocaine detox?
The goal of detox is to remove all traces of a toxic substance such as cocaine from your body. In a supportive and safe environment, you’ll receive controlled medication to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms. Medical and nursing staff will be available 24/7 to ensure your safety and comfort during this period.
For most people, the detox process lasts between 7 to 10 days, although this will depend on various factors such as the frequency of consumption and the intensity of your withdrawal symptoms.
How does cocaine affect users both during and after use?
Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that’s used recreationally by some people. Its potency means that a regular user may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug.
Cocaine can make you feel euphoric, confident and uninhibited due to the way it interacts with the brain. This ‘high’ comes from elevated dopamine levels, which ‘crash’ once you stop taking the drug.
What are the risks and symptoms associated with cocaine withdrawal?
While cocaine withdrawal is not usually life-threatening, the psychological symptoms, such as depression and suicidal thoughts, can pose serious risks.
Physical symptoms like increased heart rate and blood pressure may be particularly dangerous for those with pre-existing conditions.
What treatments are available to help with cocaine withdrawal?
In private addiction rehab, treating cocaine withdrawal includes a detox, addiction therapy and family support, to help you achieve a full and long-lasting recovery. Medication may also be prescribed to help reduce any symptoms of addiction and allow you to fully focus on recovery.
