How to Quit Cocaine: Why Getting Help is So Important

Making the decision to stop using cocaine is a big step toward recovery for anyone suffering from cocaine addiction. The recommended next step is to seek professional help to begin the medical detox and addiction treatment process. If you or a loved one are wondering how to quit cocaine without rehab, there are many things you need to consider.

Before we look at how to quit cocaine, let’s first understand what cocaine use is and how quickly it can turn into addiction.

What is Substance Use Disorder?

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a disease in which a person continually uses either legal or illicit drugs or other substances in a manner in which they were not intended to be consumed. The ongoing misuse of these substances very frequently leads to dependency, addiction, and, in some cases, death.

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that is common among people facing substance use disorder. Dependence on the drug can happen quickly and can be both physical and psychological in nature. Quitting cocaine use can be a challenge due to the impact of cocaine withdrawal, but it can be done.

If you or a loved one has been using cocaine and you feel it is becoming a dependence or an addiction, you or they will need help and support. You may notice more intense cravings for the drug or that higher doses are needed to achieve the same high. Drug use can very swiftly become drug addiction, which can lead to serious outcomes.

The Effects of Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant drug that creates a feeling of euphoria in the user. It releases dopamine in the brain, which leads to increased energy, hyperactivity, overconfidence, and a sense of invincibility.

The high lasts up to 30 minutes when cocaine is snorted but is shorter-lived when it’s smoked. Freebasing — inhaling pure cocaine from a glass pipe — gives the most intense high but is also the most dangerous consumption method and often leads to overdose.

The long-term impact of cocaine on the body and the brain is well-documented and can include the following side effects and health issues:

• Heart attack and cardiac damage

• Increased blood pressure

• Seizures

• Hallucinations

• Lack of inhibition and risky decision-making

• Violent behavior

• Significant weight loss

• Increased likelihood of upper respiratory infections

• Severe mental health disorders

Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal

If you’ve decided you want to quit cocaine, you’ve already made a positive choice that will start you on your recovery journey. However, it isn’t one you should walk alone. The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can be extremely intense and difficult to manage on your own.

Withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Intense cravings for cocaine

• Fever and shakes

• Inability to sleep or irregular sleep schedule

• Suicidal thoughts and depression

• Irritability, paranoia, and anxiety

• Extreme lethargy

• Acute psychosis

It may be tempting to want to quit cocaine use on your own without entering a treatment facility, using addiction medicine, or working with healthcare providers. However, we must provide a disclaimer that while quitting cocaine is vitally important, starting to detox alone can be hazardous to your health.

Cocaine Detox at Home Can Be Dangerous

If you decide to quit your cocaine use “cold turkey,” you may experience some or all of the uncomfortable physical and behavioral withdrawal symptoms listed above, including fever, sleepiness, severe cravings for cocaine, depression, anxiety, and aggression. While cocaine withdrawal symptoms are generally considered to be milder than those experienced with many other drugs, they can last for up to several weeks.

It is also important to note that serious medical complications are becoming more common due to the increased incidence of Fentanyl in cocaine. Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous synthetic opioid that is commonly mixed with cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine to make the drug cheaper and more potent. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Fentanyl is one of the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths.

With the supervision of a medical professional, the potentially dangerous side effects of detox can be monitored and treated as necessary. When you enter a cocaine addiction treatment program, you have the support of therapists and a medical team that can prescribe comfort medications to lessen the effects of withdrawal. They can also safely treat any complications that may arise from concurrent mental health or physical conditions.

Quitting Cocaine Requires Continued Support

Overcoming addiction is much harder when you do it alone. When someone suffering from drug or alcohol addiction completes a comprehensive treatment program, they are much less likely to relapse. This is because they have a strong support system in place that can include friends, family, qualified healthcare providers, and substance abuse counselors, as well as support groups such as Cocaine Anonymous.

The road to addiction recovery does not stop after detox. Patients need continued support to learn how to deal with cocaine cravings, how to handle challenges in their lives in a healthy way, and how to avoid relapse triggers. Outpatient treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy have been shown to be very helpful in the recovery process by providing patients with the tools they need to adapt to wellness.

How to Safely Stop Using Cocaine

When you are ready to stop using cocaine, it is important to ask for help. Reach out to trusted friends or family members and speak to your doctor or find a treatment center right away. You can also contact a helpline like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — just dial “988” on your landline or mobile phone.

Be open to interventions from concerned family members and allow them to help. Or search for local or online peer support groups like Narcotics Anonymous to speak with people who have walked this road before. Once you have been evaluated by knowledgeable professionals, they can help you determine the next steps on your journey to a happy, healthy life.

How Caron Supports You on Your Recovery Journey

Whether you require outpatient or inpatient treatment, Caron’s comprehensive treatment philosophy includes evidence-based medical detox as well as counseling and education to help ensure your highest chance of success.

If you or a loved one are suffering from cocaine addiction, contact Caron today for more information.