How Long Does It Take to Detox from Cocaine?
Derived from coca plant leaves, native to South America, cocaine is a stimulant that can cause addiction with just one usage time. Though recreational cocaine use is illegal, it hasn’t stopped millions in the UK. A study also revealed that the highest prevalence of cocaine users is found in the youngest age groups in the UK.
People usually buy cocaine for recreational use in the form of a fine, white powder, which can be snorted, smoked, cooked, or injected to get the effect. Unfortunately, this regular use causes cocaine abuse, and when it occurs, the safest option to counteract is through cocaine detoxification.
The detox is an unpleasant experience that people undergo to flush out the harmful toxins from the body that have been introduced. Detox is the first step to recovery from addiction to drugs like cocaine. While some individuals complete the detox process without much effort, others may experience withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine withdrawal can be challenging and lead to severe health risks without medical supervision.
This article will explore cocaine withdrawal and how long it takes to detox from cocaine.
What is Cocaine, Exactly?
As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cocaine was first created as a significant ingredient in different medications to treat various illnesses. Cocaine, a stimulant, was used to block pain sensations by surgeons before modern medicines were introduced.
Since its inception, several studies have proved that cocaine is highly addictive and classified as a schedule II drug. It means that besides the medicinal properties of cocaine, it is also used by people for recreational use to achieve the desired stimulant effects.
Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction is a serious condition as it can cause adverse effects on an individual’s health, strain their relationships, and damage their financial status. A few signs of cocaine addiction that you must recognize to save your or your loved ones’ life are:
- Being secretive
- Mood swings
- Drug obsession
- Becoming distant from loved ones
- Stealing or selling items to buy drugs
- Dilated pupils
- High energy
- Constantly borrowing money
- Taking risks
Dangers of Cocaine Addiction
Like any other drug, cocaine use can also harm brain functionality. It alters the brain’s chemical function and leads users to experience adverse side effects. It happens when the release of glutamate is altered. Glutamate is a vital neurotransmitter responsible for the excitement of the body cells. The continued use of this drug makes the brain dependent on it for glutamate production.
Other dangers of cocaine use may include:
- Nosebleeds
- Stroke
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
- Organ damage
- Loss of sense of smell
- Lung damage
- Heart attack
- Problem swallowing
Cocaine Withdrawal
Cocaine withdrawal occurs when a person with cocaine addiction suddenly stops its use. Withdrawal is the time and display of a range of symptoms that occur when an individual’s body goes into a state of shock. It happens because the body is so used to having cocaine present to function that the absence of it makes it difficult for the body to survive. Hence, withdrawal becomes quite painful and may take weeks to overcome.
Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can include but are not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Irritability
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Spikes in blood pressure
- Anger and hostility
- Impaired cognitive function
- Drug cravings
- Trouble concentrating
- Disturbed sleep
- Extreme fatigue
- Increase in appetite
How Much Time Does It Take to Detox from Cocaine?
The cocaine detoxification process can take varying amounts of time. Depending on the severity level, it may last around two to four weeks for every individual. While every other person has their rotations of symptoms, there are generally three phases that someone goes through. The cocaine detoxification process is divided into the crash, withdrawal, and extinction phases.
The Crash Phase
The crash phase usually occurs within a few hours or days after the last use of the drug. As a result, an individual may experience extreme fatigue or “crash” from using cocaine for so long and then suddenly stop it. Moreover, the crash phase symptoms may also include severe anxiety and depression.
The Withdrawal Phase
After the last use of the drug, people may start experiencing withdrawal symptoms. It usually occurs after one to ten weeks. While some people may feel intense cravings for the drug, others can experience paranoia, anger, irritation, cramps, high blood pressure, and impaired cognitive function. These excessive symptoms may lead a person back to cocaine use.
The Extinction Phase
The third phase of cocaine detoxification, extinction, occurs after ten weeks. During this phase, the withdrawal symptoms may go, and the cravings may lessen. In other words, deciding to put recovery first and adopt a healthy lifestyle ensures you are out of the drug web.
Safely Detox from Cocaine
Cocaine detoxification can be a scary process, but a professional drug detox clinic or cocaine rehab can help you attain long-term recovery. While cocaine abuse can severely impact overall health and well-being, an individual can stop its use with complete dedication and access to rehab programs. To get some guidance along the road to recovery, contact your nearest cocaine rehab today!
