Deciding to detox from cocaine reclaims your health and future powerfully, showing a sense of self dedication and commitment to change. Reclaiming your life makes this difficult journey worth the effort. Professional supervision has been known to be the safest way to manage a cocaine detox protocol for such an addictive drug. You can contact us today to find the specialized help you need.
Knowledge is the most powerful tool for cocaine recovery. Exploring the timeline helps you understand how to recover from cocaine for good. Expert medical care like we offer at Apex Recovery Tennessee has been known to be the fastest way to detox cocaine safely. A Nashville luxury rehab provides the privacy and clinical support required during this phase.
Do not rely on a generic cocaine cleanser when the stakes are this high. Finding a quality detox for coke requires a structured and medical environment. You can find Nashville treatment programs or explore Knoxville recovery options with the help of our Apex Recovery admissions team. “Breaking the cycle” does not just have to be inspirational language, it can be a change in your reality.
How Cocaine Affects the Body
This addictive substance affects the reward pathways of the brain called the mesolimbic dopamine system. Cocaine use disrupts this system’s normal function by binding to the dopamine transporter and postponing the removal of the chemical from the synapse, or the space between two neurons. Once dopamine builds up in the synapse, a feeling of euphoria is triggered by the release.
Over time, use of this drug actually changes the chemistry of the user’s brain. Prolonged use of cocaine affects the reward circuit of the brain. Since cocaine produces higher levels of dopamine, the user seeks more and more of the drug to achieve the same euphoric state originally experienced when using the drug. When an addicted user refrains from using the drug, he or she may exhibit withdrawal symptoms as the body is craving that high to function.
Cocaine Detox and Withdrawal
Before a person can overcome their cocaine addiction, they must first rid the body of the substance. Detoxification describes the process of removing toxic substances from the body. During the detox, the user is bound to experience withdrawal symptoms. While the detox can be attempted without assistance, inpatient and outpatient programs provide a multitude of benefits.
Trained professionals are able to usher the user through their withdrawal symptoms and provide support during this physically painful and psychologically difficult experience. Cocaine abusers that decide to use these types of programs are generally more successful in breaking their habit.
Those who struggle with mental health disorders, have experienced a relapse when detoxing in the past, or lack a supportive environment may consider inpatient programs during the initial phase of their detox. Professional programs help ensure that a user detoxes safely and doesn’t become a threat to themselves during this trying time.
Cocaine Detox Timeline
The length of time it takes for cocaine to leave a person’s system can vary depending on the severity of the addiction. Generally, due to cocaine’s short half-life, the drug can leave a person’s system within 7–14 days. More severe addictions could extend over a period of weeks and could warrant medical intervention when necessary.
Before the Detox
When a user decides to detox from cocaine, he or she should set themselves up for success by priming their environment for the process. Users should avoid people, places, and situations that may trigger their desire for the drug. To curb the restlessness caused by cocaine withdrawal, the user should create a peaceful environment within the home. Whether it be with friends, family, or a group, the user should seek support during their detox.
Outpatient and inpatient programs should also be considered when beginning to detox from cocaine. As mentioned above, those with a history of drug abuse or psychological disorders, a tendency to relapse, and users who are unable to seek a healthy environment could greatly benefit from professional cocaine detox services.
Week 1 of Cocaine Detox
During the first week of detox, the harshest of the withdrawal symptoms will occur. Patients going through a medical detox may be prescribed medication if they experience particularly harsh withdrawal symptoms. While there are no FDA-approved medications for cocaine withdrawal, there are drugs available that can help individuals get through their detox more comfortably.
Medications such as gabapentin, modafinil, and topiramate are a few drugs that a doctor might prescribe to help restore a cocaine addicts normal brain function during their recovery. The goal of these medications is to promote relief in the central nervous system during the detoxification process. Typically, medication isn’t used as a long-term treatment, but rather as a way for patients to get through their detox safely.
1–3 Days of Detox
Cocaine’s short half-life means that some users experience withdrawal symptoms as soon as 90 minutes after their last dose. Because of this, one can expect the first few days of the cocaine detox to involve the most severe of the withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Irritability
- Hunger
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Lack of energy
- Loss of motivation
These symptoms can be expected to be severe enough to interfere with the user’s daily life. The first few days are uncomfortable at best and painful at worst. Disturbed sleep may also be accompanied by nightmares and strange dreams.
4–7 Days of Detox
Due to cocaine’s manipulation of the neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood, the first week of detox is likely to be plagued with extreme emotions. As the brain begins to slowly regain its normal function, the addicted individual is likely to experience mood swings, apathy, and intense cravings for the drug. Symptoms during this time often include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Exhaustion
- Paranoia
- Restlessness
- Tremors
- Muscle spasms
- Anhedonia
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
Though the symptoms experienced by individuals vary based on the criteria we have discussed, such as length of use and average dosage amount, these emotional and physical disorders are very common during cocaine detox. During this time, the user can expect periodic cravings that range from mild to extreme. These cravings may cause the addicted individual to seek out the drug, which is why continuous support is essential during this period.
Week 2 of Cocaine Detox
The good news is that the withdrawal symptoms typically become easier in the second week of the detox process. While symptoms of depression, anxiety, and apathy may persist, they will likely begin to improve during this time. If severe symptoms continue to occur multiple weeks after stopping the use of cocaine, a medical professional should be contacted.
Like with many addictions, cocaine detoxification may be best accompanied by therapy. This may include individual talk therapy, group classes that offer a supportive environment, or family counseling to help guide loved ones through this difficult experience. Talk therapy can help the addict identify the root cause of their addictive behavior and empower the former user with the strength to overcome their drug habit.
A therapy that many professional recovery organizations might employ is cognitive behavioral therapy. Not only does cognitive behavioral therapy have an incredibly successful track record, this type of talk therapy is an excellent long-term solution to help addicted individuals recover from their destructive behavior.
Reclaiming Your Future from Cocaine
Choosing to break an addiction and detox is a life-changing decision that deserves celebration. Following a professional cocaine detox protocol safely takes you down your transition into a lifestyle of sobriety. Our team will look into rehab insurance costs with you, so you can learn about specialized care options that suit you, like those for seniors in need of rehab care.
Finding a quality detox for coke takes you out of just passing time until you find an unhealthy fix and sets you up for a meaningful recovery. It works best with clinical support to get through the hardest parts. Apex offers assistance seeking faith based rehab alongside finding options for moms in recovery to address those specific emotional hurdles they are facing. A more focused approach is a reliable way to recover from cocaine without facing the long road alone.
While some look for a quick cocaine cleanser, true cocaine recovery happens through evidence-based care. You can start with a thirty day program or choose a Nashville luxury stay as the fastest way to detox cocaine safely. If you or someone you know needs professional assistance or has questions about starting recovery, you can call Apex Tennessee Recovery at (877) 881-2689.
