Man seems depressed which is one of the cocaine withdrawal symptomsAlmost five million Americans use cocaine each year, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s estimates of 2012. If you are among those who have tried cocaine and cannot walk away from it, you may suffer from cocaine addiction. Addiction means you experience cocaine withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit using the drug.

Problems of Cocaine Use

There are many problems cocaine brings to your life when you start abusing this powerful drug. The risks of cocaine use include increased anxiety, restlessness, paranoia, irritability, high blood pressure, severe heart problems and even death. Cocaine causes terrible health effects leading to emergency room visits and first responder calls. But, health problems are not the only damage caused by cocaine.

Cocaine also causes financial problems, relationship issues, work and school problems, and even legal problems. People using the drug make poor decisions and overestimate their personal abilities. Depression and other mental health disorders are common when the drug wears off. These lead to a multitude of problems throughout the lives of those unable to walk away from the drug.

Once addiction sets in, there are more dangers associated with the drug. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms keep many people from quitting. No one likes to feel sick or uncomfortable, so when cocaine withdrawal symptoms start these individuals simply turn back to the drug instead of feeling ill. But, the only way to sobriety and a better life is to experience cocaine withdrawal symptoms.

About Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person. This variation is due to several factors related to individual cocaine use. Some of these factors include:

  • Duration of cocaine use
  • Frequency of drug use
  • The strength of the cocaine’s formulation
  • Means of using the drug, such as through injection, inhaling or smoking
  • Mental or physical co-occurring disorders

You experience signs of cocaine withdrawal if you are dependent on the drug and quit using it. Your brain and body’s readjustment to normal functioning without the drug causes withdrawal symptoms when physical dependence to the drug exists. If you use cocaine despite knowing that it causes problems in your life, you suffer full-blown addiction to this powerful drug.

Phases of Cocaine Withdrawal

Cocaine withdrawal occurs in three clear phases. They begin within 24 hours of your last use of the drug. Some symptoms continue for as long as six months after your last use. But the worst symptoms of cocaine withdrawal end within about a week.

Phase one of cocaine withdrawal ideally takes place within a drug detox center. You need the help of detox professionals for this phase to be as comfortable and safe as possible. During phase one, you experience symptoms for about a week, including:

  • Absence of energy
  • Low motivation
  • Increased hunger
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Extreme depression

About a week after your last dose, you start experiencing problems concentrating, low energy, mood swings, dysphoria, anxiety, paranoia, and depression. You also suffer cravings for the drug, which means you must use coping skills against relapse. You learn these coping skills for recovery in a quality rehab program.

The extinction phase of cocaine withdrawal, the third phase, continues for up to six months. Symptoms improve during this time but include low mood and continued drug cravings.

Help You Need at Detox and Rehab

Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida provides a variety of therapies and treatment methods for healthy addiction recovery. This treatment begins in supervised detox and continues through your rehab program and aftercare. Levels of care at Beaches include:

If you or someone you love are ready to end an alcohol or drug addiction in your life, call Beaches Recovery now at 866.605.0532. Beaches partners with top insurance companies like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and Magellan. So call Beaches Recovery now to learn more about available programs and to verify your insurance.