Cocaine detox can be very challenging, and its duration can vary depending on several factors. Certain factors affect the duration of detox; the severity of the addiction is different in each person, and this depends on how often and how much of it is taken. The general well-being of a patient is a key factor that determines how quickly the body gets rid of cocaine and gets back to normal without drugs. An individual with a better health status may have a shorter period of detoxification and a less complicated readjustment to the recovery process.
This article will cover cocaine detox, its timeline, and other important details to help you better understand this topic.
What is Cocaine Detox?
Cocaine detox refers to the process wherein the substance is removed from the body. This is the time when both physical and psychological aspects of the body are under a lot of stress as it tries to get back to normal after the cocaine use. Withdrawal symptoms can be as difficult both psychologically and physically, but this stage is only temporary. Cravings can be managed, and the body can start healing with the right treatment plan, supervision, and support.
Timeline of Cocaine Detox
Cocaine detox is a complex process that varies from person to person. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable and sometimes life-threatening if not supervised by healthcare professionals. Withdrawal generally has three distinct phases: the crash, withdrawal, and protracted withdrawal.
The Crash (First 1-3 Days)
Feelings of fatigue, nervousness, anger, and the desire for cocaine characterise this. This phase occurs within twenty-four to seventy-two hours after the last use of cocaine. A wide range of psychological and physical symptoms may manifest, which include heightened anxiety, paranoia, and an overwhelming sense of sadness or despair. These aforementioned signs and symptoms can lead to intense cravings, which can make the recovery process particularly challenging. In some cases, patients may become overwhelmed by their emotional state, with some even expressing suicidal thoughts.
Withdrawal (First Week)
Following the first three days, individuals may enter the withdrawal period. This includes more psychological than physical symptoms and could last up to ten days. Individuals may suffer from extreme mood swings, fatigue, continued cravings, and sleep issues (insomnia or hypersomnia). These symptoms can be severe but not as severe as those experienced in the initial phase.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS)
When withdrawal symptoms persist, it is referred to as post-acute withdrawal. This can last for months and may linger into longer periods for some. During this phase, individuals may experience prolonged cravings for the drug, along with worsening psychological symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. Other symptoms may also include persistent psychological symptoms such as cravings, mood changes, and cognitive impairment. Some people may still have very intense cravings and emotional problems for several months after stopping. Hence, this stage requires ongoing medical supervision and support.
How to Detox From Cocaine (Cocaine Detox Process)
Cocaine detoxification is one of the critical steps in overcoming addiction. It is described as a step-by-step plan to alleviate the negative effects of withdrawal and help the individual heal. The process begins with a thorough assessment by a healthcare professional to create a personalised treatment plan.
In the initial withdrawal phase (twenty-four to seventy-two hours), symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, and cravings are managed with medical support and ample medical supervision. The period up to 10 days from the last use is the withdrawal phase, where the individual experiences mood swings and an intense desire to use cocaine.
Some individuals experience protracted withdrawal, lasting weeks or months, with persistent cravings and psychological distress. The rehabilitation programme follows detoxification and prevents relapse, after which aftercare occurs, which is responsible for maintaining the status of patients.
What are the Effects of Cocaine Addiction on the Body?
Cocaine is illegal for many reasons, highlighting the fact that it has been associated with a wide variety of dangers and countless ill effects on people’s health.
It has serious and harmful effects on the body as well as the brain; euphoria, energy, alertness, and engagement are among the most favourable immediate outcomes and the reasons why users take the drug. However, these seemingly positive effects on mood and energy put the body into overdrive, exerting its negative effects on both the body and the brain.
Effects in the short-term are increased heart rate and blood pressure, which put users at risk of heart attacks and strokes. Other neurological effects, such as seizures and blackouts, may also occur. Paranoia, anxiety, and insomnia often accompany cocaine addiction, and the crashing aftermath can be characterised by depression.
Moreover, long-term effects worsen the problem, creating other physical health complications. Habitual snorting of cocaine can damage the nasal septum, and chronic abuse can cause dental caries, yellowing of the skin, and sunken eyes, all of which are signs of malnutrition and decaying general health.
Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal
Cocaine has a very high potential for addiction and is also one of the deadliest illegal drugs. Normally, the brain releases a neurochemical called dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone, to signal pleasure or reward. After this signal is sent, the dopamine is usually recycled back into the neurons. When you take cocaine, this recycling process is blocked, causing dopamine build-up in the nucleus accumbens, a key part of the brain’s reward system. This flood of dopamine causes feelings of euphoria or intense “high.”
Physical symptoms include increased appetite, sleep disturbances, tremors, headaches, and general fatigue. At the same time, psychological symptoms can be observed through intense cravings, lack of interest in previously pleasurable activities, anxiety, mood swings, depression, paranoia, and confusion.
How Long Does Cocaine Stay in the Body?
Cocaine is known to be flushed out of the system within two weeks after the last consumption. However, some people may have the symptoms for a few days, while in others, the symptoms may be experienced for weeks or even months.
Cocaine’s presence in the body and its detection times vary significantly based on several factors, including but not limited to its route of administration, the amount of drug consumed, and the person’s metabolic rate. Here’s what the most recent studies have found:
- Cocaine may be continuously eliminated via urine up to four days after use. If you use it often, then your body may take ten (10) days or longer to get rid of this substance.
- Cocaine can also be found in the blood around one to two (1-2) days after drug use, but this may change from person to person based on factors such as the frequency of use and rate of metabolism. It is also usually found in users’ saliva 24 to 48 hours after use.
- Cocaine and its metabolites can be detected in the hair follicles for as long as 90 days. This is called the “hair test” and is usually done in chronic or long-term users.
Factors Influencing Detox Duration
Various factors affect how long drug detox lasts. These factors include the type of substance and how long and how much it has been used, the physical health of the person, the presence of any other mental or physical health issues, how the drug was used, the type of detox programme, and the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). It can take from several days to weeks because of these factors.
Frequency and Duration of Cocaine Use
There are many patterns of cocaine use. The period of use can affect health and the chances of addiction significantly. To develop successful interventions and treatment strategies, it is important to understand the frequency and duration of cocaine use,
The way cocaine is used differs widely according to how long it has been taken. Around 40 per cent of people use these drugs via smoking, resulting in quick effects that last from 5 to 15 minutes. About 32 per cent of users prefer intranasal (snorting) use, having longer effects ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. Injecting, done by about 24 per cent, has the most intense effect because it enters the blood quickly. However, it also has the highest risk of addiction.
As for frequency, numerous users are low-frequency users (about once a week), while persistent users (about four days a week) are more likely to become dependent and experience adverse health consequences. However, other studies indicate that people who use cocaine regularly but not every day may only show signs of dependence that are not severe, meaning that the length of use does not always equate to serious addiction.
Individual Health and Genetics
According to a study in 2021 on the genetic influence of cocaine use, cocaine use disorder (CUD) is one of the most heritable psychiatric disorders. The study further explains that genetics play a significant role in cocaine addiction and mentions studies that estimate the genetic contribution to be as high as 65 to 79 per cent for cocaine dependence. There are specific genetic variants linked to neurochemical processes in the brain associated with CUD, but they have not been isolated yet due to the complexity of the disorder. Moreover, cocaine use triggers long-term changes in gene expression and brain circuitry through various mechanisms, contributing to addiction and vulnerability to relapse.
Medications Used During Cocaine Withdrawal
There are currently no approved drugs for the treatment of cocaine use disorder to treat cocaine withdrawal symptoms. However, certain medications are used off-label to manage the symptoms of withdrawal during detox.
The antidepressant medication, Bupropion, may be useful in reducing cocaine use and promoting abstinence. The stimulant Modafinil can be used to treat fatigue as well as enhance mental function in people who are going through the detoxification process.
The anticonvulsant topiramate has the potential to reduce anxiety and irritability, which are characteristic of the withdrawal period. Also, prescription amphetamines may be employed as “substitution therapy” to treat cravings and improve the patient’s mood regulation.
These medications are employed along with behavioural therapies in a comprehensive treatment plan to manage the psychological aspects of the addiction. Some of the measures that may be provided for the patient include adequate hydration and nutrition; these help detoxify. Treatment should be given and overseen only by healthcare professionals so that the intervention will be appropriate for the individuals and there would be no or less occurrence of side effects.
Is Detox at Home Possible?
It is dangerous to try to detox from cocaine while being at home since there is a lack of medical supervision and support from healthcare professionals. Cocaine withdrawal can be fatal and can lead to severe psychological problems such as suicidal thoughts in some individuals, hence making detox at home dangerous.
Detoxing at home is not recommended, even for those with mild or occasional cocaine use or those with no severe physical reliance on the drug. Our bodies are built differently, and we also react to different substances differently. Also, remember that underlying medical conditions can aggravate withdrawal symptoms, and these cases would warrant thorough medical evaluation to avoid further progression of withdrawal symptoms or any other complications.
If you are looking for help and would like to break free from an addiction, Sierra Recovery and its experienced professionals are here to assist you. Contact us today to learn more about our programmes.
