Cocaine Detox & Withdrawal

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug with potentially desired effects including alertness and increased energy, as well as adverse effects like restlessness, paranoia, elevated blood pressure, and sudden cardiac death.

People who use cocaine regularly may develop a physiological dependence on the substance, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop or reduce their use.¹ This page will cover the withdrawal syndrome associated with cocaine, including symptoms, timeline, and treatment options.

What Are the Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal?

Cocaine withdrawal can cause both physical and emotional symptoms, which involve changes in mood, appetite, sleep, and energy.²

 How Long Do Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

The length of cocaine withdrawal varies from person to person. Typically, cocaine withdrawal will begin within a few hours to days after use and can last several days to weeks.³

Someone who uses cocaine frequently may experience severe symptoms, such as depression, exhaustion, and hypersomnia for the first few days. This is then usually followed by milder symptoms that last approximately 1–3 weeks. These milder symptoms may include cravings, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and poor concentration.³

Protracted or prolonged withdrawal can continue for several months after stopping cocaine use. These symptoms may include cravings, dreams related to using cocaine, depression, and paranoia. The length and intensity of protracted withdrawal depends on how long and how much a person was using cocaine.^3,4

 What Impacts the Severity of Cocaine Withdrawal?

The severity of cocaine withdrawal can be impacted by different factors. Some of these factors include:^3,4

• Severity and frequency of use.
• Method of cocaine use.
• The presence of co-occurring mental health disorders.
• The presence of other substances being misused.
• Whether cocaine is mixed or laced with other drugs.

When symptoms extend beyond the first few days after a person’s last use, it may be linked to the duration and severity of their stimulant use.³

Are Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms Dangerous?

Cocaine withdrawal can be uncomfortable but is very rarely dangerous.²

One of the most common risks of cocaine withdrawal is the risk of relapse, due to the intense cravings that can occur throughout the process. Even a person who fully intends to get and stay sober may return to drug and alcohol use when faced with the discomfort of detox.⁵

Some recent cocaine users may also be at risk of certain complications during the acute withdrawal period. These include:²

• Cardiovascular issues (heart block, arrhythmia, bleeding risks).
• Seizures.

In addition, people who use cocaine often use other substances, like alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, at the same time. These substances are associated with more severe withdrawal syndromes, and their presence in a person’s system, in addition to cocaine, can intensify the withdrawal process and increase the risk of medical complications.²

Depression is another potential concern. In some cases, the depression associated with stimulant withdrawal may be severe enough to cause suicidal thoughts or actions. This is a serious risk that should be monitored and treated immediately.²

Medical Detox for Cocaine Withdrawal

Medical detox is a form of treatment that minimizes the risks associated with withdrawal and allows the body to rid itself of toxins as safely and comfortably as possible.^2,6

Medical detox is typically the first step in a full continuum of care for people seeking to quit drugs and alcohol.

At our Hollywood, FL medical detox facility, patients stay at the facility and are monitored around the clock by staff members, who watch for acute withdrawal symptoms and may prescribe certain treatment medications as needed.

Medical detox can be especially helpful if a person is withdrawing from more than one substance, like cocaine and alcohol. During medical detox, providers assess an individual’s substance use history, screen for multiple substances, and monitor or treat all their withdrawal symptoms.²

Medically supervised detox can also help jumpstart the recovery process by preparing a person for the next step in treatment. Detox patients usually continue treatment in a comprehensive inpatient or outpatient rehab program that teaches coping strategies and relapse prevention skills and addresses the negative thoughts and behaviors that underlie addiction.²

This programming begins in medical detox, where patients are encouraged and often expected to attend group classes and counseling as part of their treatment plans.²

Cocaine Detox in Hollywood, FL

According to a 2020 national survey, over 5 million Americans reported using cocaine in the last year, and around 1.3 million Americans had a cocaine use disorder.⁷ Cocaine addiction treatment can help those dealing with a cocaine use disorder recover.

At Recovery First Treatment Center in Hollywood, Florida, we offer multiple types of addiction treatment. Our inpatient rehab facility near Miami provides quality, evidence-based therapies and treatment plans tailored to the meet the individual needs of each patient. We also offer specialized programs for patients with co-occurring disorders, veterans, first responders, and medical professionals.

We make paying for rehab simple and accept many major insurance plans that cover treatment. To find out whether we accept your specific health plan, simply fill out this confidential and we will email you right back with more information.

Or call us at . Our admissions navigators can help you verify your insurance coverage and answer any questions about our programs, payment options, and rehab admissions.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Taking the first step toward recovery is often the hardest. At Recovery First, we are here to support you along the journey. Contact us to get started today.