How to detox from cocaine safely
What to expect when you detox from cocaine and our recommendations regarding medically-assisted detoxification.
If you're thinking about how to detox from cocaine, we would highly recommend that you look at detoxing within a well-monitored and medically-assisted environment, so that you're kept safe and comfortable throughout the process.
Within this blog, we'll look at what to expect when you detox from cocaine, what you can do to help yourself during the withdrawal process, and how our drug detox process can support you throughout. While the idea of detoxing can be scary, it's an important step to take so that you can enjoy your life away from the impact of cocaine once again.
What happens to your body and mind when you detox from cocaine?
As you think about how to detox from cocaine, it's important to remember that the length and intensity of your withdrawal will depend on how much of the drug you’re consuming and how long you’ve abused it for.
Some of the common symptoms that you can experience as you detox include the following:
- Exhaustion
- Sweating
- Shaking and shivering
- Nausea and headaches
- Intense cravings for cocaine
- Irritability
- Suicidal thoughts
- Anxiety and depression
More severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms include hallucinations and seizures.
Cravings can be intense as you detox from cocaine, which can cause some people to relapse. Setting yourself up to succeed by accessing residential treatment can reduce these risks, as the support of a specialist team and a drug-free environment can act as a much-needed barrier between you and cocaine.
A detox from cocaine can also be uncomfortable and for some people, dangerous too, particularly if their cocaine use has been heavy and chaotic. Accessing a residential detoxification programme, where you're under medical supervision, can make sure the process remains as safe as possible.
How long does it take to detox from cocaine?
Our detoxification programme typically lasts between 7 and 10 days. However, the amount of time it takes will depend on your own circumstances.
Before you arrive, you'll meet with our team to determine the recommended course of action. Then, the specialists who look after you during your stay will continue to monitor you to make sure that you receive the right level of treatment and support.
How to navigate a detox from cocaine
When considering how to detox from cocaine, remember that maintaining healthy habits like eating good food and getting some exercise is important. Staying as healthy as possible can help your body and mind to deal with the challenges they're facing. It's also recommended that you keep your mind busy with entertainment, to help pass the time and serve as a welcome distraction from your symptoms.
At all our rehabilitation centres that offer a detoxification programme, nutritionally balanced meals are prepared and cooked on-site. There are also spacious gardens and grounds to make use of, as well as books, televisions, and radios so that you can take your mind off the process. With specialist detox rooms, which come with en-suites, you also have a place to rest and recover, as well as round-the-clock nursing care to make sure you stay safe and comfortable.
During a detox from cocaine at a Priory facility, you can also attend the sessions that are taking place on-site, which can include group therapy and workshops. These can help you to learn more about your addiction and ways to maintain your recovery in the long term.
Our residential addiction treatment programmes
Once you’ve spent time thinking about how to detox from cocaine, it's important to carefully consider what steps you'll put in place so that you remain clean going forward.
Many people who detox from cocaine at one of our facilities choose to then take part in a residential addiction treatment programme. These programmes, which typically last for 28 days, provide people with time and space away from their normal life so they can begin to understand the reasons for their cocaine abuse, reflect on how it has gone on to impact them and those closest to them, and recognise that they can choose to enjoy an active and positive life in recovery.
Through this treatment, you develop skills and access strategies to prevent relapse in the future. By working closely with the team and your fellow peers, you can set yourself up to manage your life in a safe and healthy way going forward.
