Medically Reviewed By: Kimberly Langdon M.D.
Cocaine detox is the process of flushing cocaine out of your system after cocaine drug use. Cocaine detox programs are helpful for people with substance use disorders.
Medical detox and other programs can help you rid your body of cocaine and other substances of abuse. This process is often the beginning of an addiction recovery program.
What Is Cocaine Detox?
Cocaine detox is the gradual removal of cocaine from your system once you stop using it.
In the early stages, you will experience a comedown. The drop in dopamine may make you feel anxious and tired.
If you have been using cocaine regularly, the withdrawal process will start soon after.
How Long Cocaine Stays In The System
The high from cocaine typically lasts less than an hour, but that doesn’t mean the drug is out of your system.
Cocaine can still be detected in your urine up to four days after use. It can be detected in your hair up to 90 days after use.
The only way to completely remove cocaine from your system is to detox and abstain from further use.
What Happens In Cocaine Detox Programs?
Cocaine detox programs are carefully monitored spaces, often held in rehab centers, that allow you to safely recover from withdrawal.
The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can be miserable and even life-threatening in extreme cases.
Having medical professionals on hand in a detox program allows you to get relief as soon as withdrawal symptoms appear. This is called medical detox.
A medical detox can be supervised at qualified treatment facilities.
Treatment For Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Cocaine withdrawal causes a range of psychological symptoms, including erratic mood swings, agitation, restlessness, and depression.
You’re also likely to experience physical symptoms such as intense cravings, fatigue, sleep disturbances, vivid nightmares, and an increased appetite.
At a medical detox center, trained staff will administer medications as needed to treat your withdrawal symptoms.
Medication Management
Medications used during your detox will vary depending on your symptoms. Non-addictive sleep aids and antidepressants are often helpful.
If you are detoxing from multiple substance use disorders, you may have more exacerbated symptoms. These will require their own medications to prevent pain and suicidal thoughts.
At this time, there are no approved medications to treat cocaine addiction itself. Research is ongoing, and there are several promising avenues that could result in better relapse prevention.
Nutritional Focus
One of the effects of cocaine is that it depresses your appetite. During detox, you can expect your appetite to sharply increase.
It is very important that you feed your new appetite with nutrition-rich foods.
Detox is hard on your body. By consuming a healthy diet, you’re giving your body the boost it needs to get through detox.
Supplements And Fluid Administration
If you have been using other substances alongside cocaine, you may find it difficult to keep food down. The staff at your medical detox center will supply anti-nausea medication as needed.
Supplements may also be given during cocaine detox such as supplemental nutrition as a liquid supplement or through an IV.
Both options will help to keep you hydrated and provide crucial vitamins and minerals until you’re able to eat again.
Non-Addictive Sleep Aids To Address Insomnia
Sleep disturbances, night terrors, and chronic fatigue are all common during cocaine detox.
Your body needs sleep to recover, so these side effects can make your detox experience much more unpleasant.
During detox, it is important to avoid any other addictive substances. Drinking alcohol or using addictive prescription drugs can result in a more complex addiction.
To prevent this scenario, your health care providers will only use non-addictive sleep aids to address your cocaine-induced insomnia and other sleep disturbances.
Factors That Influence The Length Of A Cocaine Detox Program
Cocaine detox typically takes between three and 10 days. The length of your withdrawal timeline will depend on a number of factors.
Type Of Cocaine Abused
Cocaine in the United States varies in purity from about 30 to 80%. If your cocaine was cut with synthetic opioids or amphetamines, your detox may take longer.
You may also take longer to detox if you were “speedballing” or mixing cocaine with other addictive substances.
Method Of Use
Smoking crack cocaine and injecting cocaine may result in a longer detox. These methods of cocaine use allow the drug to hit your bloodstream immediately and create a more intense high.
Snorting cocaine will still require detox, but there’s a possibility that it may be shorter.
Length Of Time Cocaine Was Abused
The duration of your cocaine abuse is the most important factor in the length of your detox. Using cocaine for a prolonged period of time exacerbates your drug addiction.
If you have used cocaine for years, your detox may be a bit more intense and last longer.
Treatment Options Following Cocaine Detoxification
Detox is a vital first step, but it isn’t the end.
Addiction is a persistent disease, and avoiding relapse can be incredibly challenging.
You will need conscious aftercare and cocaine addiction treatment after the detox process.
One common approach is behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy helps to lessen the burden of addiction by giving you a way to recognize triggers and destructive thought patterns.
With the help of a qualified therapist at your treatment center, you can learn to deconstruct harmful thoughts and care for your mental health.
Find Cocaine Treatment Services At Bedrock Recovery Center
Bedrock Recovery Center offers inpatient treatment as well as outpatient addiction treatment options for cocaine addiction.
Our flexibility gives you the ability to choose a treatment program that fits your life and supports your addiction recovery.
If you’re ready to put your cocaine addiction aside, call us today.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-treatments-are-effective-cocaine-abusers
- National Institute on Drug Abuse https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-cocaine
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000947.htm