Cocaine Treatment/Withdrawal

Cocaine is second only to marijuana as the most prevalent drug in the United States. It is so addictive that lab studies have shown that animals will choose cocaine over food or water, accept cocaine knowing they will be punished and even press a bar over 10,000 times for a single injection of cocaine. This behavior is no different in humans addicted to cocaine, which explains why treatment is so complex. The first step to recovery from cocaine use is detox. This is a highly unpleasant experience, simply because the body is ridding itself of the drug. Withdrawal symptoms begin during this time and may last a few days to a few weeks, depending on the person.

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can include: Agitation

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Extreme irritability
  • Apathy
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Shaking
  • Muscle pain
  • Insomnia

As with treatment of any other drug, cocaine will involve many support meetings with other recovering addicts, individual and family counseling sessions, group therapy, fun activities to keep the person busy and distracted. With cocaine, the prolonged use of which has a drastic effect on the mind’s functioning, mentally stimulating activities are ideal. Behavioral changes are really the most effective solution for many drug addictions, including cocaine. That means a change in friends, a change in jobs, learning alternative coping methods and even adopting different social activities. Adopting a healthier lifestyle, avoiding old activities that were previously associated with cocaine use and avoiding old stresses on the job or life in general may be the only way to leave drugs behind for good.