Cocaine Withdrawal
What is Cocaine Withdrawal?
When a cocaine user quits using cocaine, it has a distinct effect on the mind and body of that individual. These withdrawal symptoms can take many forms, but one or more of them are likely to be experienced by everyone who takes cocaine over an extended period of time and then decides to quit "cold turkey". These withdrawal symptoms that come from stopping the use of cocaine may be annoying or even cause a short term loss in productivity or good health – but they are a necessary evil if one is to achieve the greater good of giving up cocaine forever.
The Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal
The most common withdrawal symptoms associated with cocaine are:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Bad dreams
- Restlessness
- Appetite dysfunction
- Suicidal thoughts
The withdrawal symptoms can last for several months, depending on the length and intensity of the individual's previous cocaine use.
One thing that is interesting about the list above is that it does NOT contain many of the physical symptoms associated with withdrawal from other drugs such as heroin. This lack of physical symptoms mistakenly led many professionals to once believe that cocaine was not a highly addictive drug. The fact is however, that the mental elements in play with cocaine withdrawal actually make it one of the more addictive drugs – and most difficult to stop using.
What Cocaine Withdrawal does to your body
Even though the individual who takes large amounts of cocaine over an extended period of time will feel a lessening of the pleasant feelings associated with the drug, there will still be highly intense cravings for the drug during the "drying out" period. Paranoia and depression are common symptoms during this craving period.
Cocaine is more difficult to quit than many other narcotics. From the moments following the last dose of cocaine through the days, months and weeks that follow, a tremendous craving for the cocaine occurs. While the individual is experiencing these cocaine cravings, his or her mind is telling the body that it needs cocaine in order to function. For this reason, it is absolutely essential that the recovering cocaine addict occupy his mind with other thoughts not related to drug use. This becomes a test of will, as the individual fights his or her own brain to overcome the cravings for the drug.
