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There is no recovery from cocaine addiction without detoxification (also called detox). Detoxification is the management of withdrawal, whereby the body rids itself of toxic substances.
Detoxification is much easier and safer--and potentially much more comfortable--when trained medical and health providers manage your withdrawal.
Detox without medical intervention has often been shown to lead to relapse.
Using evidence-based best practices, the acute phase of the recovery process necessitates a period of detoxification. Because it is so unpleasant, and withdrawal symptoms such as cravings for cocaine are so overwhelming, detox without medical intervention has often been shown to lead to relapse.
The primary goal of detox is to restore your body to its natural equilibrium, devoid of the artificial chemical manipulation of cocaine in your system.
Addressing the underlying psychological issues that led to cocaine abuse in the first instance is typically addressed after the first week because the physical withdrawal process is so all consuming.
Attempting to detox at home is harmful and should be avoided at all costs since the consequences of detoxing at home without trained medical professionals could be dire.
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are often flu-like in nature, and while not life threatening as such, can sometimes lead to serious health issues that demand immediate medical intervention. Symptoms include:
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In addition to physical issues, detox may cause:
Trying to manage these intense withdrawal symptoms alone is a recipe for disaster and the results are rarely positive.
Often, these negative emotions are so severe that individuals are simply unable to complete the detoxification process and begin using again to relieve the perceived mental pain. Cocaine dependency is harsh and the detoxification process is scary.
Medically-assisted cocaine detoxification follows an evidence-based protocol of medications to reduce anxiety and allow the body to heal.
After the acute withdrawal phase, relapse prevention medications such as baclofen, tiagabine and topiramate help to control and reduce the cravings for more cocaine that often accompanies withdrawal.
To address mental health issues that often accompany cocaine abuse and withdrawal, it is recommended that someone begin group and individual therapy and participate in a support group such as Narcotics Anonymous.
However, this can only commence after the initial, acute period of detox is completed. During the first week, a diverse range of recovery support services such as acupuncture, massage and neuro-feedback (a technique that promotes new healthier brain patterns) may be employed.
Ongoing medical and psychological assessment and the administration of medications to reduce physical and mood-related withdrawal symptoms are the primary tools for cocaine detoxification in a facility with trained health care providers.
Cocaine withdrawal and detox lasts for about 2 weeks.
Cocaine withdrawal and concomitant detox usually lasts for approximately 2 weeks, although the duration differs for every individual.
As with other drugs of abuse, the longer someone has been cocaine dependent, the higher the risk that they have developed tolerance and have increased the usage considerably.
To summarize, detoxification from cocaine is difficult and unpleasant, but rarely life threatening.
Psychosocial treatment is important during the detox process.The primary goal of health professionals is to keep someone undergoing detox as comfortable and relaxed as possible, given the wide range of debilitating withdrawal symptoms they are likely to experience.
Flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, chills and body aches are common and are treated accordingly.
Certain mental health conditions often go hand in hand with cocaine addiction, and, therefore, psychosocial treatment is as important as medical treatment during the detox process and throughout recovery.
Typical mental health issues that accompany cocaine addiction are:
Consequently, during detox, psychological symptoms that often occur and require treatment are anxiety and depression and extreme cravings for more cocaine.
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There are a number of long-standing treatment centers in the U.S. that specialize in cocaine detoxification. Choosing the most appropriate cocaine detox center is largely dependent upon the specific needs of the person entering treatment.
Typically, someone who has been cocaine dependent for an extended period has spent an enormous amount of money obtaining cocaine and often is in a difficult financial situation as a consequence of their cocaine addiction.
For those with very limited financial resources, public sector treatment is available at little or no cost, but identifying these opportunities can be taxing, and admission to detox may be delayed because of a lack of openings for new clients.
For those with more financial and time resources at hand, cocaine detox and longer-term treatment is available at in-patient treatment centers that are extremely comfortable and in some cases provide luxury amenities and wellness programs, in addition to medical and psychosocial services.
