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Cocaine Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Learn about cocaine withdrawal symptoms and the importance of early addiction treatment.

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According to the 2019 Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators survey in the United States (SAMHSA), around 2% of Americans aged 12 and above have abused cocaine. Cocaine is dangerous, and the associated effects are evident in many calls to poison control and emergency room visits made yearly. The DEA continues to report that more than 5 million Americans visited an emergency unit for cocaine-related emergencies in the past year.

Though cocaine is a readily available drug, with 24% of people reporting it was easy to get the substance, cocaine is still illegal. Like any other drug that tampers dopamine found in your brain, cocaine is addictive, leads to addiction, and poses severe to mild withdrawal symptoms. Find out below some signs and symptoms of abusing cocaine and much more.

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More About Cocaine

Understanding Cocaine

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is an illegal drug derived from the coca plant native to South America. It is a highly addictive stimulant that affects dopamine- a chemical produced in your brain’s reward circuit. The drug comes in two forms; white powder or a rock crystal form called crack.

Cocaine sends high amounts of dopamine to the brain’s parts that control pleasure. The buildup from the drug causes intense happiness and energy and stimulates more use as time goes by. Your brain adjusts to the drug within a short period and therefore requires higher doses to bring out the high feeling.

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From Anxiety to Cardiac Issues

Risks of Abusing Cocaine

Cocaine abuse comes with numerous risks that may include:

• Increased anxiety.

• Irritability.

• Restlessness.

• Paranoia.

• High blood pressure.

• Severe cardiac issues.

• Death.

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Psychological Struggles to Physical Discomfort

Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine poses many dangers and consequences to the user when not stopped in time. Some of these consequences manifest through withdrawal symptoms. Whether you quit abusing cocaine gradually or immediately, withdrawal symptoms are a must at some point in your recovery journey.

As your body adapts and adjusts to cocaine in its system, it develops a physical dependence on the drug. Once your body has changed, the brain will often require more doses of cocaine to function normally.

When you stop using cocaine, the lack of the substance in your brain triggers unwanted symptoms that make a recovery uncomfortable. While withdrawal from other substances like alcohol may involve extreme physical symptoms, cocaine detox is primarily psychological; withdrawal symptoms mainly manifest through behavioral changes.

Most cocaine users often use the drug in crash and binge patterns, making users who have not decided to quit cocaine experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from cocaine may involve three distinct stages that are:

The Crash

This stage occurs within 24 hours following sustained periods of high-intensity drug use or binging. Someone in a cocaine crash may feel:

Withdrawal

This second phase begins within a week after the drug’s last use and may last for up to 10 weeks, depending on the user. Symptoms may include:

  • Trouble concentrating.

  • Low energy.

  • Changing moods.

  • Dysphoria (feelings of dissatisfaction with life).

  • Anxiety.

  • Paranoia.

  • Depression.

  • Cravings.

Extinction

The final stage may continue for up to 6 months. It shows a decline in most symptoms which include:

  • Low mood.

  • Some cravings.

The recovery journey from cocaine abuse may be difficult, but knowing the withdrawal symptoms, mentally prepares you to overcome the inevitable. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Difficulty concentrating.

  • Exhaustion.

  • Slowed thinking.

  • Slowed activity.

  • Physical fatigue, especially after activity.

  • Restlessness.

  • Anxiety or depression.

  • Inability to experience any sexual arousal.

  • The failure to feel pleasure or anhedonia.

  • Suicidal actions or thoughts.

  • Vivid, unpleasant nightmares or dreams.

  • Physical symptoms include tremors, chills, nerve pain, and muscle aches.

  • Increased cravings for the drug.

  • Increased appetite.

Since the typical symptoms of cocaine withdrawal aren’t as physical as other drug withdrawals, it’s vital to watch out for the following withdrawal symptoms:

Depression

The beginning of cocaine withdrawal is usually marked by a “crash,” which increases irritability, anxiety, and extreme sadness or depression. Depression manifests in people who mainly use cocaine to deal with stressful life conditions; once the effects of cocaine wear off, the stress returns stronger. According to the Mayo Clinic, medications like Wellbutrin or Prozac are antidepressants that medical professionals prescribe to help with depression.

Cravings

According to the American Addiction Centers, cravings for cocaine may develop as soon as ninety minutes after using the drug. People who have skipped using cocaine for extended periods will likely create a stronger urge to use cocaine. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, behavioral interventions may be effective for cravings; for instance, motivational incentives discourage drug use by providing prizes and awards for achieving various milestones in recovery.

Suicidal Thoughts

When you stop using cocaine abruptly, you likely experience withdrawal symptoms that may impact your mind, like suicidal thoughts or actions. A person addicted to cocaine who stops may start feeling worthless when they don’t feel the effects of cocaine. Therefore, it is essential to seek professional attention when you want to quit using cocaine.

Also, note that cocaine is highly addictive; however, there is a massive difference between dependence and addiction. While addiction reflects the inability to stop using the drug even if using the drug leads to both legal and health problems. Dependence is when your body refuses to function normally without using cocaine. The development of dependence leads to physical withdrawal symptoms once you stop using the drug.

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Factors and Risks

The Severity of Cocaine Withdrawal

The following factors influence how severe the withdrawal symptoms from cocaine are. They include:

  • How much time have you used the drug.

  • How frequent you use cocaine.

  • The purity or potency of the substance.

  • The duration of the action; is usually influenced by the method of drug administration (i.e., injecting, snorting, smoking, etc.)

  • The existence of co-occurring physical or mental health conditions.

Cocaine withdrawal is dangerous

Cocaine withdrawal may cause certain significant dangers to the user, including:

Physical health complications

People who abuse cocaine and alcohol risk developing cardiac issues during withdrawal periods. These people also have increased chances of having an infarction or arrhythmia- a heart attack. Seizures are also a possibility not only for those in withdrawal but also for those using cocaine.

Mental health concerns

Some users may experience depression during withdrawal periods. Symptoms of depression begin with mild signs such as low moods, energy, and motivation, with others reporting suicidal intentions and thoughts. Because of these severe complications, a user must undergo detoxification under professional monitoring.

Withdrawal is more complicated and life-threatening when a user concurrently uses cocaine and other substances like heroin. Hence, it is vital to be honest when disclosing whether or not you use multiple meanings in a treatment center.

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Navigating Cocaine Recovery

Treatment is complex, and withdrawal from cocaine can be a nightmare; however, living a drug-free life is your ultimate goal. You will feel like giving up and quitting yourself at other times. So, keep loved ones and close friends closer during these crucial times to give you the necessary support; you do not have to go through treatment alone.

The best part is that you do not have to take the more significant steps overnight. Take the smaller ones and improve on yourself as you move through your recovery journey. Also, remember to enjoy yourself as you continue.

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Written By:

Geoffrey Andaria

Geoffrey Andaria mental health writer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Geoffrey Andaria is an experienced mental health content writer and editor. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, Geoffrey is highly educated in freelance articles and research. Having taken courses on social work, Geoffrey is adamant about providing valuable and educational information to individuals affected by mental health and the disease of addiction.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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