How to Quit Cocaine?

Breaking the cycle of addiction is a complex process that requires compassion, a deep understanding of the abused substance or activity, and tailored recovery strategies. Drug addiction can be a particularly challenging habit to overcome on your own, with professional help often needed to combat the changes in brain chemistry that encourage addictive behavior. That’s why it’s important to know where to turn for help if you’re wondering how to quit cocaine or another substance.

Cocaine has gained a reputation for being a less harmful drug than the most addictive drugs, like meth or heroin. However, the truth is that it can be just as addictive and dangerous, with data from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics showing cocaine is the second most-used drug among Americans over 12 years old. About 14% of all U.S. drug users have taken cocaine in their lifetime. Meanwhile, cocaine caused the third-most overdose deaths of all drugs from 1999 to 2022, after opioids and methamphetamine. Despite its challenges, overcoming cocaine addiction is possible with the right help. Let’s explore how to quit cocaine with the recovery methods and treatment programs available at Living Longer Recovery.

How Hard Is It to Quit Cocaine?

Cocaine is a highly addictive substance because of its effects on the brain. The drug uses a reward system of sorts to encourage repeated use. Cocaine does this by preventing the absorption of dopamine, with the excess sending the user into an immediate euphoria. However, the catch is that a single dose of the drug begins a growing tolerance to its effects. As a result, addicted users will require increasingly dangerous levels of the drug to achieve the same euphoria. 

Cocaine’s effects on the brain can make it challenging to quit, triggering both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Attachment to the drug can induce the following when quitting:

1. Intense cravings.
2. Fatigue.
3. Depression.
4. Anxiety.
5. Irritability.
6. Issues staying motivated.

In addition to these withdrawal symptoms, users can suffer from a lack of a solid support system. Overcoming a cocaine addiction requires patience and empathy inwardly from the user and their loved ones. A lack of such support only highlights the benefits of seeking help from an organization like Living Longer Recovery, made up of compassionate experts who know how to quit cocaine and offer help without judgment during our cocaine addiction treatment in California. 

How Do You Quit Cocaine Addiction?

Quitting cocaine requires a prolonged commitment and consistent effort. However, there are ways to make the process easier and more manageable by identifying triggers and seeking professional help. 

Everyone’s journey will be different, but here are some key steps that can help in overcoming a cocaine addiction:

1. Recognize the Problem: As with most addictions, coming to terms with the fact that you need help is often the first and most crucial step. This can come in the form of learning about the detrimental effects of the drug, voiced concerns from loved ones, or a close call. Any path you take will require complete honesty. 
2. Build a Support System: Once you’ve decided to make a change, it’s essential to begin developing a solid support network. Quitting cocaine is challenging and will require a shoulder to lean on at times, whether that’s friends, family, or support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
3. Seek Professional Help: Reaching out to doctors, therapists, and treatment centers like Living Longer Recovery can help you get the tools to quit for good. 
4. Identify Triggers: Awareness, honesty, and vigilance are vital when quitting cocaine. Tracking what triggers your cravings and avoiding those situations when possible is crucial to the process. 
5. Develop Coping Strategies: Sometimes, the easiest way to quit a habit is by replacing it with a healthier one. Keeping your mind busy with hobbies, exercise, or volunteering can help manage stress and reduce cravings. This can even involve establishing a healthy routine that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, and quality sleep. 
6. Set Clear and Attainable Goals: Goals are an excellent way to stay committed. Working toward achievable milestones that seemed impossible during your addiction can be a helpful reminder of why you’re maintaining sobriety. An important aspect of this step is celebrating the achievement of your goals, whether big or small. 

Understanding how to quit cocaine isn’t easy, but it’s crucial to remember it is always possible, especially when you get help from addiction treatment specialists like the team at Living Longer Recovery.

How Long Does It Take to Quit Cocaine?

Just as the process varies for everyone, so does how long it takes to quit cocaine. The length of time will differ depending on factors such as duration of use, how much cocaine was used in that time, individual health, and the quality of your support system. 

Abstaining from cocaine will likely be a lifelong journey. However, actually quitting the drug can range between weeks to several months, depending on your history of abuse and dedication. Quitting cocaine will begin with an immediate withdrawal stage, which will involve powering through a period of physical and psychological discomfort. This will be followed by short-term recovery, a phase that can last for weeks or even months as cravings persist and the brain adjusts to functioning without cocaine. Then, past users will enter long-term recovery. After three to six months, this stage will reward abstainers with more stability and control. However, prolonged support will likely be necessary for years to ensure sobriety.

Professional treatment and therapy can decrease how long it takes to quit cocaine and increase the likelihood of staying off the drug for good. Addiction treatment centers like Living Longer Recovery can also help make the withdrawal process easier and more comfortable by providing medical drug detox before you start drug rehab.

How Long Does Cocaine Withdrawal Last?

While cravings can last for months after quitting cocaine, the initial withdrawal phase will often last anywhere between two to four weeks. Within the first 24 hours, former users will likely experience intense cravings, anxiety, and irritability. However, symptoms often peak over the next one to three days, causing fatigue, depression, and insomnia. This period is followed by subacute withdrawal when symptoms begin to decrease but cravings persist. Depression and anxiety could remain during this period. 

Over the next two to four weeks, past cocaine users will benefit from subsiding physical discomfort. However, emotional challenges and responses to triggers could continue for months to years. Withdrawals from any drug are no joke. They can cause severe discomfort, highlighting the value of solid coping strategies, a recovery plan, and professional treatment.

How to Help Someone Quit Cocaine

Whether this is their first try or only their most recent attempt to quit cocaine, support is key. Living Longer Recovery understands that support isn’t always easy and can be easier with the right help and tools. Our drug rehab treatment center near Palm Springs offers tailored treatment to patients wanting to know how to quit cocaine successfully, initiating the process with medical detoxification and following that with effective individual, group, and family therapy. Call us at 866-714-3294 to book an assessment today. 

External Links

• National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics — Drug Abuse Statistics
• National Institute on Drug Abuse — Drug Overdose Deaths
• National Institute on Drug Abuse — Mind Matters: The Body’s Response to Cocaine
• Mayo Clinic — Cocaine (Topical Route)