By We Level Up NJ Treatment Center | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: February 23, 2023

Cocaine Detox & Addiction Statistics

Among people aged 12 or older, 1.9% (or about 5.2 million people) reported using cocaine in 2020. Among people aged 12 or older, 0.5% (or about 1.3 million people) had a cocaine use disorder in 2020. In 2020, approximately 19,447 people died from an overdose involving cocaine.

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Common Cocaine Side Effects

• Weight loss
• Mood swings
• Increase in heart rate
• Enlarged pupils
• Paranoia
• Nosebleeds, inflamed nostrils, or nasal congestion
• Nervousness, restlessness, and inability to concentrate
• Increased susceptibility to viruses and bacteria due to a reduced immune response
• Delusions and hallucinations

Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Abuse 

Continued use can lead to the following cocaine side effects:

Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

The severe cravings and mental drug dependency that cocaine users develop mean that stopping use requires a detox period.  Depending on the length of time used and the amount used, cocaine detox may bring different physical and physiological withdrawal symptoms. How long does it take to detox Cocaine? The cocaine detox process can take anywhere from 12 hours to 4 or more days.  Most users will undergo a level of decreased energy as well as increased anxiety and irritability.  

Unlike substances such as alcohol and heroin, withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting, and tremors are not inevitable to happen.  However, a mixture of alcohol and cocaine abuse is typical and can trigger these more severe symptoms. Psychological withdrawal symptoms associated with cocaine detox include difficulty concentrating, decreased thinking or activity, hostility, depression, anxiety, vivid dreams or nightmares, paranoia, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and increased cravings for cocaine.

Signs of Cocaine Withdrawal:

What Causes Cocaine Withdrawal?

Cocaine dependence is a common side effect for those who use the substance regularly. When someone uses cocaine frequently and depends on it to carry out daily tasks, they become dependent on it.

Genetics may be a major factor in determining how quickly someone develops a dependence on cocaine following their initial use of the substance. Cocaine dependence can develop at varying speeds in different people.

The effects of cocaine on dopamine neurotransmission in the brain can be used to explain some of the behaviors associated with both dependency and withdrawal. Dopamine, a chemical messenger involved in motivation and reward, can be significantly more active in brain circuits when cocaine is used.

Dopamine activity increases caused by cocaine greatly encourage drug use. The brain of a cocaine user gradually loses sensitivity to the drug’s effects over time and with repeated use, though, as it becomes accustomed to the excess dopamine in its system. As a result, they need higher and higher doses of the drug to avoid the onset of withdrawal symptoms like depression and insomnia.

Moreover, cocaine is described as having a “explosive risk” for dependence, which means that it takes less time than other substances for someone to become dependent on the drug after first experimenting with it.

How Long Does Cocaine Detox & Withdrawal Last?

Depending on the kind of cocaine a person uses, withdrawal symptoms from cocaine may start at different times. For example, consistent use of crack cocaine is linked to a considerably quicker start of withdrawal symptoms from cocaine, on the order of hours following the previous use. Acute withdrawal symptoms from cocaine often last 3–4 days. Nonetheless, for some people, some withdrawal symptoms from cocaine can last for 3–4 weeks.

Longer-lasting or more intense withdrawal symptoms may vary in intensity and duration from person to person. For instance, a research assessing the development of cocaine addicts in their rehabilitation discovered that their lack of improvement in impulse control even after 4 weeks of abstinence.

The chance of relapsing can rise with more severe cases of cocaine withdrawal. According to one study, patients who performed poorly on a test to measure the severity of their cocaine withdrawal were four times more likely to start using the drug again. By reducing the chance of relapse, medically managed cocaine withdrawal offers social and medical support to make sure someone has a safe and comfortable withdrawal time.

Cocaine Detox Treatments That Work

• Medications: There are no drugs that have been FDA-approved for treating cocaine addiction. Other drugs, such as those used to treat depression and stabilize mood, may also be helpful.
• Behavioral Therapy: Therapies that concentrate on altering behavior might be administered either as part of an inpatient treatment program or on an outpatient basis. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) teaches techniques to aid in preventing cocaine use.
• Reward: One easy way to learn how to avoid cocaine and deal with situations that lead to drug usage is to receive a reward for abstaining from narcotics.
• Sauna Detoxification: In accordance with a 2018 study that was written up in the Journal of International Medical Research, the benefits of sauna therapy helped persons who were still experiencing withdrawal symptoms after ceasing narcotics. This might be as a result of the body being loaded with toxins from continuous drug use.

The Importance of Cocaine Detox for Drug Addiction

Long-term, continued cocaine use quickly leads to late-stage addiction.  In this stage, the risks the user takes on are significant and critical to be aware of.  The most severe of the possible bets are that of overdose and death.

Detox encourages healing in a safe, comfortable environment and provides resources for withdrawal that lessen negative symptoms.  With a staff of trained practitioners and caretakers, We Level Up New Jersey gives the ability to detox under the careful eye of professionals.  In addition, we work to maximize comfort, offering over-the-counter and prescription medications as needed, psychological care, and personal support to encourage abstinence from cocaine and other drugs, both today and for years to come.

Most Popular Cocaine Detox FAQs

Cocaine Detox In New Jersey

Following the completion of a cocaine detox in New Jersey, several different treatment options help individuals who have been struggling with addiction.  Care can be provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis and at various levels of care.  Your addiction treatment team will recommend levels of care depending on your current progress in recovery, your experience with addiction and recovery, your motivation, and your home situation.

Contact us today if you or a loved one is struggling with cocaine because we can help you explore cocaine addiction treatment options and how you can start with recovery.