Many people in the United States are addicted to cocaine and wonder the best way to detox from cocaine is. In fact, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health states, “Among people aged 12 or older in 2021, 1.7% (or about 4.8 million people) reported using cocaine in the past 12 months.” Cocaine is highly addictive and can be snorted or inhaled (intranasally), injected into the veins (intravenously), and taken orally.
Although most people think of cocaine as a snorted white powder, people can dissolve it to be injected and can smoke it. Furthermore, symptoms of withdrawal from cocaine addiction can vary in intensity. Thus, when attempting to find treatment for addiction to cocaine, the best way to detox from cocaine is a medically-supervised detox program Detox West offers their patients.
Professional Detox vs. Home and Rapid Detox Methods
The best treatment and detox strategies must be based on the safest medically-monitored detox methods. The best way to detox from cocaine is through professional, medically-monitored detox. Even the initial uses of cocaine affect the body and mind by raising blood pressure, constricting blood vessels, increasing body temperature, and causing escalated heartbeat.
In addition, the drug affects the mind by creating cocaine-inducing anxiety, paranoia, and restlessness. Long-term use can cause severe side effects. The brain gets used to levels of the drug guiding its neural pathways. As a result, depression, anxiety disorders, and other psychological disorders can lead to cocaine addiction. For example, someone may abuse cocaine to fight depression, but develops a cocaine addiction.
Detox from cocaine presents with uncomfortable and severe physical symptoms that need to be medically monitored. Many people who try either home detox or rapid detox will relapse. All in all, home detox does not provide the support that professional medically-assisted detox provides.
Deadly medical complications can occur if not addressed. The best way to detox from cocaine is through a professional program equipped to deal with every possibility. Medically-assisted detox can also intervene to help in the severity of the withdrawal symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal
Just as addiction habits vary from person to person, the individual withdrawal symptoms from cocaine withdrawal depend on many factors. The best way to detox from cocaine is through a professional, medically-monitored detox program for this reason. A professional assessment will reveal these critical factors that could determine the severity of detox. Without determining these factors, detox could prove very difficult.
Factors affecting the severity of withdrawal from cocaine symptoms are:
- Physical and mental health
- Length of addiction
- Amount of cocaine usually used daily
- How the addict ingested cocaine
- Family history of addiction
After the medical staff, professional treatment personnel, medical providers, and mental health professionals, performs an examination, they can determine detox strategies. The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can be mild, moderate, or severe. Hence, the length of time these symptoms can occur is an individual factor.
The most complicated symptom to consider is the intense cocaine cravings that will occur. Being in a professional treatment center is the best way to detox from cocaine, move on to therapy, and learn to properly cope with cravings.
Common signs and symptoms of cocaine withdrawal are any of the following:
- Mood swings, increased irritability, and agitation
- An inability to sit still, with intense restlessness
- Fatigue and incredible tiredness with insomnia
- Sleep disruptions
- Increased appetite
- No motivation
- Depression and anxiety
- Intense drug cravings
Methods for Detoxing Cocaine From the Body
Professional treatment centers know helpful methods to help detox the body and mind from cocaine. As such, it is essential to begin addiction treatment immediately after the body is cleared of cocaine.
Again, it is crucial for patients to enlist in a professional component for detox from cocaine to be monitored for best results. Fortunately, every treatment center has established protocols, but the following factors can help detox.
The following factors can affect the detox process include:
- Drinking lots of water to flush the kidneys and flush out toxins.
- Adding exercise to help deal with adverse symptoms of restlessness.
- Avoiding caffeine, making it more difficult for the body to quit cocaine.
- Eating healthy foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
- Avoiding sugary foods, fast food, and foods full of preservatives.
How Long Does Cocaine Stay in the System?
The same factors determining the severity of withdrawal symptoms determine how long cocaine will stay in the system. Cocaine detection can vary through drug testing methods. The following testing methods reveal cocaine in the body for various time frames.
The following tests have a different timeline to determine if cocaine is still present in the body:
- Urine test: Detects cocaine for up to four days from last use. However, long-term heavy users may test positive for up to six weeks.
- Blood test: This test detects cocaine for up to two days from the last use.
- Hair testing: Cocaine can be detected in hair testing for up to 90 days from the last use.
- Saliva test: Detects cocaine for up to two days after the last use.
Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction
Relapse prevention is most successful with a professional treatment plan in an experienced center. After detoxification, a combination of therapy options is successful, and a residential center is recommended. It is challenging through the beginning weeks to fight cravings for cocaine. Therefore, it is essential to treat any co-occurring mental health issues simultaneously.
Find Quality Care for Cocaine Detox in Tennessee
If you are looking for help with cocaine addiction and need advice on the best way to detox from cocaine, Detox West offers professional, experienced programs. Our compassionate and understanding staff of treatment professionals have formed a strong bond as a team. Working together to include the family and the addicted is one of our strong points.
Contact us to start the challenging journey to reaching a sober lifestyle.