Texas Rehab on Cocaine Withdrawal in New Blog

Houston, TX - Recently, SUN Behavioral Health Houston published a blog post discussing cocaine withdrawal. When someone stops consuming or takes less cocaine, they will experience symptoms associated with withdrawal. These symptoms are often uncomfortable and are meant to encourage the person to return to use. However, treatment is possible, and many people can recover past the withdrawal stage.

“The use of cocaine heightens dopamine levels in the brain. Over time, tolerance builds, resulting in an increased need to consume more cocaine to get the same effect. The absence of cocaine, at this point, leads to withdrawal symptoms manifesting. These symptoms encourage the person to take more cocaine to maintain a sense of normalcy,” the blog post states.

Cocaine withdrawal is rarely dangerous. People often report that the symptoms are uncomfortable, especially when undergoing them independently. However, worsening depression could lead to thoughts of suicide. The most common symptoms people may experience include depression, anxiety, vivid dreams, decreased appetite, and chills. Every person who experiences cocaine withdrawal will experience a different combination of symptoms.

This substance follows a pattern of “highs” and “crashes.” Typically, cocaine withdrawal will start within the “crash,” which occurs 1.5 to 3 hours after the last dose. Cocaine has a half-life of about 1 hour. This means that after an hour has passed, half of the cocaine dose will have left the body. People will begin to feel fatigue and discomfort during the crash, and cravings for more of the substance will begin. The highest point of intensity during withdrawal is 24-72 hours into the symptoms. The total amount of time someone will experience cocaine withdrawal is around 4-7 days. However, everyone is different. Some people might experience symptoms for shorter or longer periods depending on their metabolism and history with the substance.

Medical detox is not always necessary, but beginning cocaine use disorder treatment can allow professionals to provide the person with tools that can keep them safe and comfortable. They will also be able to step in if complications arise. During treatment, people learn skills through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). These skills help people cope with stresses in life in a healthy way. It can also allow people to heal relationships with their family and friends. Some skills include interpersonal effectiveness, boundaries, and mindfulness.

“Perhaps you feel like you no longer control your life and emotions. Cocaine has taken the driver’s seat of your life, and maybe you feel like it is driving you off a cliff. You don’t have to feel that anymore. Asking for help does not make you weak. Cocaine withdrawal can be a challenging experience, but hope is on the other side. The first step in taking the wheel back from cocaine is experiencing withdrawal. Medical detox can make that experience more manageable,” the blog post continues.

SUN Behavioral Health Houston solves unmet needs in the community. They offer a woman-led inpatient women’s program that allows women to find stability in their recovery. SUN can also treat co-occurring disorders, which, when not treated together, can sometimes prevent someone from succeeding in their treatment. Their no-cost care assessments ensure potential patients are matched with the best care plan and program for their needs based on their symptoms, doctor’s advice, and previous treatment experiences.

To learn more, call them at 713-796-2273 or visit their website. SUN Behavioral Health Houston solves unmet needs.