Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug. Cocaine use can lead to tremors, muscle aches, blood pressure changes, cardiac arrest and even death. The physical effects are severe and so are the mental effects. Cocaine can also induce anxiety, paranoia, irritability and even psychosis according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Moreover, cocaine is a Schedule II, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse and is illegal outside of closely regulated medical uses. If you’ve found yourself struggling with a cocaine problem, there can be drastic financial, legal and physical consequences.
Cocaine abuse is devastating, but there is hope for recovery. In this article we’ll talk about the effects of cocaine use, how long cocaine detox lasts and how you can get connected to treatment.
How long does detox last?
You’re not alone if you’re wondering how long cocaine detox lasts. Detox is the first step in overcoming a cocaine addiction, but it’s also the most grueling. When you participate in a detox program, treatment is focused on helping your body expel toxins from your system. The process can be extremely painful, leaving most wondering when it will be over.
Thankfully, participating in a detox program gives you tools and resources to bear the discomfort. You’ll have the physical help of medical supervision. You’ll also have access to therapy and counseling, which will teach you skills to manage cravings and find motivation.
You’ll have essential help during the entire detox process, which for most people lasts between seven to 10 days according to the American Addiction Centers. The onset of withdrawal symptoms starts within a day of the last use, so your total stay at a detox program will last between one and two weeks.
While those few days will be difficult to get through, as soon as they are over, you’ll start to feel better. You’ll feel physically stronger and have the mental capacity to start making decisions that aren’t clouded by addiction. While there is always the temptation to return to drugs during detox, the feeling you’ll have afterwards will make sticking with recovery worth it.
Generally, programs don’t advertise a specific amount of days to account for individual needs and preferences. Although an average timeline of detox suggests between seven to 10 days, detox centers take into account how you’ve responded to withdrawal, your physical health and environmental factors that could impact your risk of relapse.
What does cocaine detox look like?
When you decide to commit to cocaine detox for good, you’ll want to know what a cocaine detox program entails. After detox, there are a series of programs and services that can improve your recovery so you can resume normal life and handle cravings with ease.
There are two options immediately following detox. One is to transfer to a sober living home. These are residential facilities that offer supervision and support for those who may struggle to remain sober when returning home.
The second option is to start outpatient services. Outpatient services likewise take two forms, the first being intensive outpatient, which generally occurs for eight hours a day with life skills assistance included in the daily program. Otherwise, you’ll likely partake in addictions counseling once or twice a week.
Regardless of which avenue you take to continue your treatment, it’s essential that you continue with recovery services. Not only can they help you process and heal from cocaine addiction, but they can safeguard your recovery. According to a study published in Current Drug Abuse Reviews, behavioral interventions have proven to effectively reduce the risk of cocaine relapse.
Inpatient and outpatient services will both include opportunities to process your history with cocaine, heal from emotional wounds, build coping skills to fend off cravings and foster healthy thinking patterns to nip triggers in the bud. The habits you form in recovery will stick with you for a lifetime, reinforcing long-term recovery.
While recovery from some substances is aided by medication assisted treatment, there are currently no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to aid in cocaine detox. However, research is currently being conducted that could help in this area.
Where can I get help for cocaine detox?
There’s no reason to wait to get involved in a cocaine detox program. The sooner you start the process, the sooner withdrawal symptoms will end. Just make sure you have the support of medical and mental health professionals as you embark on your journey toward freedom.
Reach out to Freedom Detox, a compassionate team of highly trained people will walk by your side every step of the way, treating you with dignity and respect. Find the healing you need by calling (800) 475-2312 today.
