Home » Drugs of Addiction » Cocaine Addiction & Abuse in Ohio » Cocaine Withdrawal and Detox
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Ohio may be in the midst of an opioid crisis, but many people throughout the state struggle with other dangerous substances, such as cocaine. It is very challenging for someone to stop using cocaine once they’ve become addicted to the substance. One of the main reasons it can be so challenging is because of the cocaine withdrawal symptoms that can occur.
Unlike many other substances, cocaine can cause withdrawal symptoms shortly after someone stops using the drug. It happens so quickly that cocaine can still be in a person’s system when withdrawal starts. Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and prevent recovery, but there are ways to make the detox process easier. The following provides an overview of cocaine withdrawal symptoms, timelines, drug test detection times and types of treatment.
When someone uses cocaine, they will experience a sense of euphoria or a “high.” This feeling of euphoria happens when the drug produces an unnatural amount of feel-good chemicals in the brain. While this may be pleasant in the moment, it is also what causes people to experience feelings of withdrawal after using cocaine.
A person may experience a crash a few hours after stopping cocaine use. A crash is more likely if they have just binged or used a lot of cocaine within a short period. A cocaine crash may include feelings of depression, paranoia and irritability. The person may also experience fatigue or a lack of pleasure.
While cocaine withdrawal isn’t as severe or dangerous as alcohol withdrawal or benzodiazepine withdrawal, it can still be very challenging to get through. Cocaine withdrawal signs and symptoms can be both psychological and physical, and they may include:
Other symptoms may include:
The signs of cocaine withdrawal can vary depending on the person. Major signs of cocaine withdrawal include the emotional effects it creates and the cravings for more cocaine. Intense cravings make this drug very difficult to stop taking.
If you don’t know what to expect, the thought of going through cocaine withdrawal can be overwhelming. This general timeline provides an overview of how long cocaine withdrawal typically lasts:
Cocaine only stays in the body for a few hours after it is used, so medical labs look for the metabolite benzoylecgonine instead of cocaine. The body turns cocaine into benzoylecgonine to remove it from its system, and this metabolite is detectable for much longer than cocaine.
There are different tests that can detect cocaine use, and they vary in usefulness based on how long they detect drug use and how invasive they are. Examples include:
Because withdrawal from cocaine is not as serious or intense as withdrawal from alcohol, opiates or benzodiazepines, a lot of people don’t feel the need to go to a professional facility for medical supervision. However, a medically supervised detox can be helpful for those who are going through cocaine withdrawal.
The Recovery Village Columbus offers medical cocaine detox that addresses uncomfortable symptoms and helps you begin the lifelong recovery process. Whether you are from Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati or anywhere else in Ohio, we can assist you in having a safer, more comfortable withdrawal. We also have facilities in Florida, Colorado, New Jersey and Washington, allowing you to find help at a location convenient to you.
If you or someone you love is struggling with cocaine addiction and looking for help, The Recovery Village Columbus is here for you. Contact us today to learn more about detox services and cocaine addiction treatment programs that can work well for you.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.