By We Level Up | Author Inês Oliveira, MSc, PhD Candidate | Editorial Policy | Research Policy

Cocaine detox is the process of removing cocaine from your body and managing withdrawal symptoms. It’s the starting point in treating cocaine addiction. This process often happens in a supervised medical setting to ensure safety and comfort.

During cocaine detox, you might face withdrawal symptoms, like intense cravings, anxiety, and depression. Medical professionals may provide medications and support to help relieve these symptoms. Once this stage is complete, you can move forward with addiction treatment and work toward lasting recovery.

Key Takeaways

• Cocaine use causes serious health problems across different bodily systems. Common consequences include cardiovascular strain, nasal passage damage, cognitive impairments, and mental health issues.
• Cocaine withdrawal usually presents intense psychological and physical symptoms, such as cravings, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and physical discomfort.
• Cocaine detox marks the first step toward recovery, focusing on eliminating the drug from your body and managing withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision.
• Seeking professional help through a medically supervised detox program ensures safe and effective management of cocaine withdrawal, and grounds the foundation for long-term recovery.
• Long-term recovery requires a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both physical and psychological components of addiction.

The duration of effects depends on several factors, including the person’s health, duration of use, and drug purity. It’s important to know that continued cocaine abuse can permanently alter the brain’s reward circuit and other functions, resulting in addiction. Users take stronger and more frequent doses to achieve the same high and to obtain relief from side effects and withdrawal symptoms. All this makes cocaine detox even more complicated to do without proper medical professionals standing by.

What Does Cocaine Do to the Body?

Cocaine, a powerful stimulant, affects various systems in your body. It causes a rapid buildup of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, creating an intense rush of pleasure and euphoria. 

However, cocaine also affects other systems. For example, it impacts the cardiovascular system by narrowing blood vessels, raising blood pressure, and increasing heart rate. These effects put immense strain on your cardiovascular system, potentially leading to heart attack or stroke. Symptoms may include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and even cardiac arrest.

Seeking professional help is critical if you’re struggling with cocaine addiction. Detox is the first stage in breaking free from cocaine’s grip on your life. With proper support and treatment, you can overcome addiction and rebuild your health and well-being.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in the System?

The length of time cocaine remains detectable in your system depends on several factors including the amount and frequency of use. Chronic, heavy cocaine use can lead to accumulation in the body, prolonging detection times. An individual’s metabolism is a key factor in how quickly cocaine is cleared from the body, with factors like gender, weight, and overall health influencing the process. Also, the type of drug test administered impacts the cocaine detection window.  

Generally, cocaine can be detected in:

• Urine: 1-3 days
• Blood: Up to 12 hours
• Saliva: 1-36 hours
• Hair: Up to 90 days 

Cocaine Metabolites

The body processes cocaine by breaking it down into metabolites, primarily benzoylecgonine. This metabolite remains in your system much longer than cocaine, making it the primary target for drug tests. 

False Positives

Certain medications and substances can cause false-positive results on cocaine drug tests, including topical anesthetics containing cocaine and coca leaf tea. If you’re concerned about a false positive, disclose any medications you take to the testing facility.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment Statistics

Studies have found that rehab addiction treatment can be effective in helping individuals overcome cocaine addiction, with success rates varying based on the type and length of treatment. A study found that a combination of behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management, along with medication-assisted treatment, was effective in reducing cocaine use and promoting abstinence among individuals with cocaine addiction.

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Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline

Cocaine withdrawal can be challenging, triggering both psychological and physical symptoms that vary depending on the individual. Intense cravings are common, making it difficult to avoid relapse. The withdrawal timeline varies from person to person, and factors like the length and severity of cocaine use influence the duration and intensity of symptoms. Three progressive phases are typically expected: crash, withdrawal, and extinction.

The crash stage begins within hours to a few days after your last use. It’s common to experience exhaustion, irritation, depression, and increased sleep and appetite.

The withdrawal stage is when symptoms peak. Common symptoms, during this phase, include intense cravings, psychomotor retardation, anxiety, mood swings, fatigue, irritability, restlessness, and difficulties with attention and concentration. Vivid, unpleasant dreams and physical symptoms like general aches, muscle tension, and headaches are also typical. Generally, symptoms gradually subside over a week or two. However, some individuals may experience prolonged symptoms, lasting weeks or months, during the extinction phase, known as protracted withdrawal or post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). In this stage, ongoing symptoms may include mood swings, anxiety, agitation, cravings, impulse control difficulties, disturbed sleep, and cognitive impairments. Getting through this phase by continuing treatment and having strong support is critical for preventing relapse.

What is Cocaine Detox?

Cocaine detox marks the initial phase of cocaine addiction treatment. It involves removing cocaine from your body and managing withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision. Conducting this process in a specialized facility or hospital offers the advantage of continuous medical support. During this process, you’ll receive 24/7 monitoring from healthcare professionals, who will assess your health and develop a personalized plan to manage your symptoms. This plan includes medications and care to help relieve uncomfortable symptoms, such as cravings, anxiety, and depression. These professionals will ensure your safety and comfort, address your nutritional and hydration needs, and manage any medical complications that may arise. 

Therapy sessions will help you to build coping skills and prepare for further treatment. Some programs offer alternative therapies like massage or acupuncture, which can help alleviate stress and promote relaxation. You’ll be in a structured environment free from triggers and temptations. Detox generally lasts through the acute withdrawal phase, with symptoms typically subsiding over a week or two, depending on the severity of the addiction.

After completing this stage, you’ll transition into an addiction treatment program that addresses the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction. These programs focus on coping strategies, mental health issues, and building new habits. This may include inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy, or a combination of both. You’ll work with addiction specialists to develop coping skills, build a support network, and address any underlying mental health issues.

Remember, detox is where recovery starts. It’s vital to commit to a comprehensive treatment plan to maintain sobriety and rebuild a healthy, fulfilling life. With professional support and determination, you can overcome cocaine addiction and achieve lasting success.

If you or a loved one is struggling with cocaine addiction, help is available. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive addiction treatment programs.

Safe Methods for Cocaine Detox

Long-term, continued cocaine abuse quickly leads to late-stage addiction. In this stage, the user’s risks are significant and critical to be aware of. The most severe of the possible bets are overdose and death. Moreover, polydrug use, which includes cocaine, is becoming an increasing concern.

Unlike addiction to other addictive substances, the effects can be life-altering. This includes job loss, relationship strains, financial decline, health problems, and mental instability. Increased health problems may include stroke, seizures, heart disease, and cardiovascular and respiratory complications. Moreover, users who share paraphernalia, especially needles, are at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis.

All of this showcases the importance of a safe cocaine detox. If you are looking into how to get cocaine out of your system, you should seek an expert help to do so. You will need professional support from staff who can make the cocaine detox process less uncomfortable because it can last anywhere between 12 hours and 4 or more days. Trained and licensed staff can easily spot signs of cocaine overdose and react to prevent deadly consequences. 

The We Level Up Treatment Centers highly recommend that you look at detoxing within a well-monitored and medically-assisted environment to be kept safe and comfortable throughout the process.

Cocaine Detox and Treatment at We Level Up

Cocaine detox promotes healing in a safe, comfortable environment and provides resources for withdrawal that minimize negative symptoms. With a staff of trained practitioners and caretakers, We Level Up delivers the ability to detox under the watchful eye of professionals. Moreover, we work to maximize comfort, offering medication-assisted treatment as needed, psychological care, and personal support to encourage abstinence from cocaine and other drugs, both today and for years to come.

The process of detoxifying from cocaine at We Level Up Treatment Centers typically involves several steps, which may vary based on the individual’s level of addiction, general health, and other factors. Here are some of the usual steps that may be involved in cocaine detox:

• Assessment: The first step in cocaine detox is typically an assessment by a medical or addiction specialist. This assessment will typically include a physical exam, a medical history, and other tests to determine the individual’s overall health and level of addiction.
• Medical Detox: For individuals with severe or chronic cocaine addiction, medical detox may be necessary to manage cocaine withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications. Medical detox typically involves medications and other interventions to manage anxiety, depression, and insomnia. 
• Support and Therapy: After completing medical detox, individuals will generally participate in therapy and support groups to address the underlying issues that led to drug use and develop coping skills to prevent relapse. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and other behavioral therapies may be used to help individuals overcome addiction.
• Healthy Habits: As part of the detox process, individuals may be encouraged to adopt healthy habits such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress-management techniques to promote overall health and well-being.
• Aftercare: After completing a detox program, individuals may continue participating in aftercare programs or support groups to help prevent relapse and maintain sobriety.

Medical Cocaine Detox

The medical detox is the safest way to detoxify from any drug. It implies relying on medications to manage withdrawal symptoms. Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medications specifically for the treatment of cocaine withdrawal. However, some medications may be used off-label or as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to manage specific withdrawal symptoms or reduce cravings. 

Here are some of the medications that may be used for cocaine detox:

• Antidepressants: Antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) may be used to manage cocaine and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as depression and anxiety.
• Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan) may manage symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia during cocaine withdrawal. However, benzodiazepines can be habit-forming and should only be used under the guidance of a medical professional.
• Anticonvulsants: Anticonvulsant medications may be used to manage symptoms such as seizures when someone withdraws from cocaine.
• Dopamine Agonists: Dopamine agonists may be used to manage symptoms such as fatigue and anhedonia (lack of pleasure) during cocaine withdrawal. These medications work by increasing dopamine activity in the brain.

These medications should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for cocaine addiction, which may also include therapy, support groups, and other interventions. Additionally, only licensed staff members working in an inpatient setting should prescribe, administer, and control the medications used for cocaine detox. 

Post-Detox Treatments

Following the completion of a cocaine detox program, several different treatment options help individuals who have been struggling with addiction. Care can be provided on an inpatient or residential basis and at various levels of care. The levels of care for cocaine addiction treatment following a cocaine detox include:

• Residential Rehab for Cocaine Addiction.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).
• Aftercare Treatment Programs.

These programs are to ensure lifelong recovery. Cocaine detox is setting the base for it, but it is not enough on its own. Prolonged care, which includes psychotherapeutic work, skills development, rehab coaching, and continuous support, is an approach that ensures you stay clean and live to your full potential.

Seek Professional Cocaine Detox

Cocaine addiction, like many addictions, can be overwhelming to face on your own. Yet, the process of addressing it ought to happen for you to live a drug-free life and reach your full potential. The first step in treating your addiction is the cocaine detox process and it’s highly advisable for you to seek professional support for detoxification. 

We Level Up Treatment Centers professional support implies 24/7 care and assistance, skills and mechanism development, and continuous support even after leaving our facilities. We not only help your body get rid of cocaine, but we also help you develop ways to maintain sobriety and live a fulfilling life.

Contact us and let us help you make informed decisions about your health and future. All calls are strictly confidential and there is never any obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When seeking treatment for cocaine addiction, you may have questions about the detox process. Here are some common inquiries and their answers.