According to a 2022 estimate reported by Statista.com, about 42 million people in the United States have used cocaine at some point in their lives. If you’re a regular user of cocaine, it’s likely that you are addicted to the drug. That means any attempts to quit the drug on your own could lead to cocaine withdrawal symptoms. But what kind of symptoms could you encounter, and how can you overcome them—and your addiction—safely?
Understanding Cocaine Addiction: Why Can You Get Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms?
An illegal drug derived from the coca plant, cocaine (also known as blow, flake, Snow White, crack, or coke) typically consists of white powder that is either snorted or smoked. When used, cocaine stimulates your central nervous system, causing euphoria and increased energy almost instantaneously, but effects will typically wear off within the hour. Once the high of cocaine dissipates, you can experience what’s called a comedown, which causes unpleasant symptoms like exhaustion, sweating, head and body aches, and irritability.
When you use cocaine, the drug causes your brain to release higher amounts of dopamine, a chemical that helps you associate things with pleasure and reward. After the high from cocaine subsides, your brain motivates you to seek out more cocaine so you can achieve the same burst of pleasure you had previously.
However, your body begins to build up a tolerance for the drug, so you need to use more of it to get the same dopamine rush. Over time, this leads to a chemical dependence on the drug in your brain, so you begin to require cocaine to function normally. So when you stop cocaine usage after being addicted to it, your body has to adjust to its absence, generating cocaine withdrawal symptoms as a result.
Common Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal
Once you stop using cocaine (or even reduce your dosage), you can begin to experience withdrawal symptoms on the same day. So what are the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine? Common symptoms of cocaine withdrawal may include:
- Increased hunger
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- A prolonged sense of uneasiness
- Anxiety
- Irritability and aggressiveness
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Paranoia
- Drowsiness
- Intense cocaine cravings
- Unpleasant, vivid dreams and nightmares
- Slowing down of your activity and thinking
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory issues
- The inability to feel pleasure
- Muscle aches
- Nerve pain
- Tremors
- Chills
Often, most withdrawal symptoms will persist for a few days to a week, though some symptoms can last for weeks or even several months. The first cocaine withdrawal symptoms will usually be acute, leading to a “crash” associated with intense cravings for the drug, anxiety, fatigue, and low energy. After the acute withdrawal phase, the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine such as mood changes, an increased appetite, and drug cravings may continue on for weeks.
In some cases, you may deal with lingering withdrawal symptoms for months—and at times, years—after quitting cocaine. These long-term symptoms are known as protracted cocaine withdrawal symptoms, which can include:
- Changes in mood
- Difficulty sleeping
- Thoughts of suicide
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Continued cocaine cravings
- Fatigue
- Lack of energy
Your experience with the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine will vary in length and severity. If you’ve used cocaine for years or if you typically used large quantities of it, then your chances of experiencing protracted withdrawal symptoms are higher. The way you used the drug (snorting vs. smoking) can affect your level of symptoms as well.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms in Newborns
If you were addicted to cocaine during pregnancy and recently gave birth, did you know that your newborn baby can actually experience cocaine withdrawal symptoms as well? Once they’ve stopped receiving the cocaine through your bloodstream in the womb, your newborn can develop a serious condition called neonatal abstinence syndrome. Like you, their body adjusted to the steady stream of cocaine they received through you. And now they must readjust to its absence, leading to cocaine withdrawal.
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms in newborns may first appear one to three days after their birth, but sometimes it can take longer. These symptoms may last for a few days to a few weeks, even up to six months. According to Healthline.com, common cocaine withdrawal symptoms in newborns can include:
- Excessive crying
- High-pitched crying
- Difficulty sleeping
- Trembling
- Tight muscles
- Seizures
- Overactive reflexes
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Difficulty feeding
- A stuffy nose and sneezing
- Excessive yawning
Treatment for Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal (and Addiction)
While the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal are not often physically life-threatening, you can sometimes experience seizures or be susceptible to a heart attack during the withdrawal process. Especially in the earlier stages, the potential for major depression and suicidal ideation can also present a danger to you. For these reasons, it’s best not to detox from cocaine alone. Rather, if you’re wanting to quit cocaine, you should seek to detox under medical supervision at a detox center. At these facilities, you’re closely monitored by medical staff so you can stay safe and comfortable. Your facility may also be able to provide medication for depression or sleep troubles during your withdrawal as well.
However, safely navigating your withdrawal symptoms is only the first step to getting healthy. To overcome your cocaine addiction for good, you need to seek professional support from licensed addiction therapists. At Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN, our cocaine addiction treatment program directly addresses the underlying causes of your substance abuse disorder, not just your symptoms. With our help, you can develop healthier coping skills for substance abuse and be empowered to reclaim your life on your terms—free from addiction. To learn more, contact our team today.
