Northridge Cocaine Addiction Treatment 

Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine withdrawal can occur when someone who is addicted to or dependent on cocaine reduces their drug use or attempts to quit altogether (known as “going cold turkey”). Because suddenly stopping all cocaine use can have dangerous health effects, it is not recommended that someone with cocaine addiction attempt to stop taking the drug entirely. Instead, people struggling with cocaine abuse and addiction should seek out professional detox services for safe and effective withdrawal. In many cases, medications can be used to ease withdrawal symptoms and decrease the risk of relapse.

Some of the most common symptoms associated with cocaine withdrawal include: 

While these and other cocaine withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable, they typically do not last long. Most often, withdrawal symptoms peak in the first day or two before gradually tapering off in about a week. Note that everyone is different; our Northridge cocaine addiction treatment specialists can help you understand what to expect during detox, as well as what options are available to ease the process and set you up for lasting success. 

How Does Someone Become Addicted to Cocaine? 

Regardless of how cocaine is taken, it produces certain changes in the brain. The intensity, immediacy, and duration of these effects depend on whether the drug was snorted, smoked, or injected, as well as whether it was “cut,” or combined, with any other substances. 

Generally speaking, however, cocaine causes the brain to release a flood of dopamine—a type of “feel-good” chemical in the brain—to the areas of the brain responsible for controlling pleasure. This results in the rush of euphoria people experience when using cocaine, as well as increased sensitivity to stimuli, such as sound, sight, and touch. It also enhances feelings of happiness and wellbeing while reducing pain and decreasing appetite. 

Over time, continued use of cocaine can cause the brain to become dependent on the drug to release dopamine. In other words, the brain will become less able or unable to produce feelings of contentedness on its own. Additionally, the brain will become less susceptible to cocaine, meaning people must take greater quantities of the drug in more frequent doses to achieve the same effect as before. This is known as “tolerance.” 

Increased tolerance to cocaine often goes hand-in-hand with dependency. As someone begins taking more cocaine more frequently, they are likely to become dependent on the drug. This means that they will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms when not using cocaine. Cocaine withdrawal can be extremely unpleasant, often leading people to use cocaine again in an effort to ease discomfort.  

At this point, the individual will likely become addicted to cocaine (if they are not already addicted). Cocaine addiction is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to continue using cocaine despite negative consequences in one’s life, such as financial problems, legal issues, and difficulties at home, work, or school. People who are addicted to cocaine may also experience significant withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug, which can be disruptive to their everyday lives. This can make it incredibly difficult—if not nearly impossible—to quit on one’s own.