How to Quit Cocaine
Cocaine is one of the most addictive substances. And cocaine addiction can be one of the most difficult diseases to overcome. There are many people who go into treatment with the intention of learning how to quit cocaine. Because cocaine is such a powerful substance affecting the dopamine levels in the brain, it can create an intense sense of euphoria followed by an intense crash. This is referred to as the binge and crash method. This concerning pattern of drug use is what usually leads to tolerance, dependence, and addiction to cocaine.
Cocaine is a Schedule II controlled substance with a high potential for abuse. Cocaine is manufactured from cocoa leaves, which is a native plant in South America. It is often sold in powder form or solid crystal-like rock shapes known as crack cocaine.
How does Cocaine work?
Cocaine works by altering and increasing dopamine levels and activity in the brain. It causes a build-up of the neurotransmitter that floods the reward circuit with up to ten times more dopamine than normal. This is more than other normal pleasurable or rewarding activities. This build-up of dopamine is what causes the intense sense of euphoria and pleasure.
Cocaine interferes with the normal communication process in the brain. When entering the body, it attaches to the protein transporter and blocks it from removing extra dopamine. This causes an accumulation of dopamine in the brain. This amplifies signals to receive neurons that cause feelings of euphoria.
However, a cocaine high is relatively short-lived as the effects of the drug come on quickly with a short duration. The quick and drastic drop in dopamine levels causes an intense crash of emotions psychologically. This usually causes strong urges and cravings to continue drug use in order to avoid uncomfortable side effects associated with a cocaine crash. The binge and crash pattern of use helps the user to continue experiencing euphoric effects and delay their comedown.
Side Effects of Cocaine Abuse
- Stomach pains
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Irritability
- Poor sleep
- Paranoia
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Panic attacks
- Feelings of depression and anxiety
- Nose damage
- Cardiovascular issues
- Digestive issues
- Impaired kidney and liver function
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Risk of permanent brain damage
How to Quit Cocaine
Because of the nature of cocaine, it is a difficult disease to treat and relapse into the drug is very common. With excessive use and abuse, cocaine can damage your body’s natural ability to produce feelings of pleasure through chemicals like dopamine. The body will start depending on cocaine to be able to experience pleasurable sensations.
There are a few different routes to consider when trying to quit cocaine use. All methods ultimately require the guidance of professional behavioral and medical assistance. You can generally start by visiting your primary care provider to help you find a behavioral health program that suits your needs. Behavioral health treatment programs can specialize in substance addiction and provide detox, residential, PHP and IOP levels of care.
How to quit Cocaine when you have mild to moderate use
- Talk to a behavioral specialist or a primary care provider to assist both medically and psychologically. Your primary care provider can go on to further assist by making referrals to behavioral specialists or specialists in addiction to substances.
- Communicate with your family and friends and let them know what’s going on. They may help you make suggestions for treatment or just be supportive in your treatment journey to better health.
- Recognize triggers to avoid and stay away from to keep you from relapsing or using again.
- Think about attending a support group or a 12-step program.
- Focus on building health habits because it can be helpful to replace them with drug-using behaviors. More positive habits can help distract from triggers and cravings and reinforce abstinence.
How to quit Cocaine when you have an Addiction
- Seek out professional support from a behavioral health treatment program specializing in substance addiction.
- Go to a detox program equipped with medication-assisted treatments. Common medications used to help quit cocaine include Disulfiram, antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzos. Disulfiram is a medication used to treat alcohol addiction but has since shown some effectiveness in the treatment of cocaine addiction. Antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzos can be a short-term medication used to help manage difficult withdrawal symptoms.
- Engage in intensive therapies in residential and outpatient programs.
- Seek out a support system from friends and family.
- Participate in continuing treatment programs such as support groups and therapy.
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What can happen when you try to Quit Cocaine?
Cocaine abuse can cause tolerance, dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Unlike other addictive substances, cocaine withdrawal does not express physical symptoms such as vomiting or shaking. These are common in heroin and alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal mainly consist of psychological effects.
- Feeling a lack of pleasure or unable to feel pleasure
- Anxiety
- Irritability and agitation
- Sleepiness and fatigue
- Extreme suspicion and paranoia
- Depressed mood
- Unpleasant dreams and nightmares
- Cravings for drug use
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Restlessness
- Changes in sleep
- Poor concentration
- Slowed thoughts and movements
- Dysphoria – feelings of intense distress or unhappiness that can lead to relapse and cocaine misuse
Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline
In the first 24 hours of withdrawal, users can experience irritability, anxiety, exhaustion and an increased appetite. Within a week, users can experience intense drug cravings, difficulty sleeping, unpleasant dreams and depressive mood swings. Within 2-4 weeks, the user can begin to feel back to normal with a few lingering symptoms of depression, drug cravings, and difficulty concentrating. After 5 weeks, if users continue to experience withdrawal symptoms, they may have what is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome.
In fact, urges, intense cravings and feelings of depression can last for months after drug use has stopped. The duration of withdrawal can also vary depending on many factors. Crack cocaine is processed in a solid form. It is usually heated up and smoked. The effects of crack cocaine are much shorter compared to powdered cocaine which is snorted. The onset of withdrawal symptoms after crack cocaine use will begin more quickly.
The amount of cocaine use also impacts withdrawal. Regular use and in larger amounts of cocaine can result in longer sessions and more intense sessions of cocaine withdrawal symptoms.
Factors that influence how difficult it can be to Quit Cocaine
- The amount of cocaine used and the duration of cocaine use. Long-term heavy use of cocaine can contribute to the development of dependence and withdrawal. The symptoms can be intense and lead to relapse in order to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
- The environment. It is more difficult to quit cocaine when a user is surrounded by others who are using it regularly. Certain environments or settings can trigger abuse of the drug.
- Underlying mental health conditions. Sometimes people use cocaine to help manage their emotions. When they quit, it can be difficult because they do not have psychological support.
- Support network. A strong supportive network of friends, family, and colleagues can play a significant role in a person getting help and overcoming their addiction.
- Access to treatment and professional support. Finance, time, motivation and education can all be barriers to accessing treatment for substance use disorder. Substance use disorder treatment programs can help make quitting easier and less dangerous.
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We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine abuse is anything from sporadic use of the drug at parties and clubs to regular binges or everyday use. It is one of the most powerful and addictive substances. Oftentimes, when trying to overcome a cocaine addiction, some people turn to other substances to help them manage the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. They can turn to alcohol, sedatives or antidepressant medications. Unfortunately, they usually just lead from one addiction to another type of addiction.
Hotel California by the Sea is a behavioral health treatment program that specializes in substance use disorder. We treat clients at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-proven treatment methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals in sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/cocaine-withdrawal
https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/how-to-quit-cocaine
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/cocaine/withdrawal-detox
https://recovered.org/stimulants/cocaine/how-to-quit-cocaine