Cocaine Detox in Memphis, TN

Cocaine addiction can consume a person’s life. Fortunately, it is attainable to recover from cocaine addiction. If someone has been abusing cocaine, it is important to seek medically-assisted treatment as soon as possible. Professional treatment begins with a cocaine detox program that prepares people to begin a life free of cocaine. Learn how to safely detox from cocaine, and explore more about the effects of this addiction at Detox West in Memphis, TN.

What is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a psychoactive stimulant drug made from the coca plant native to South America. While previously used in clinical settings as an anesthetic, it later became a popular recreational drug. Cocaine is found in the form of a white powder. Another form of cocaine, known as crack cocaine, comes in a freebase crystal or rock form. Both forms of cocaine are incredibly addictive. 

Cocaine is one of the most commonly used drugs in the US. Classified as a Schedule II drug, cocaine is illegal throughout the country. Approximately 5.5 million people aged 12 and older used cocaine in 2019. Similarly, among this same age group, approximately 1.3 million people had a cocaine disorder in 2020. In that same year, almost 20,000 people died from an overdose involving cocaine.

Effects of Cocaine on the Brain

Cocaine acts on the brain’s limbic system – the part of the brain that governs our behavior and emotions. The limbic system is responsible for feelings of pleasure and motivation. When consumed, cocaine causes the release of dopamine. Dopamine is normally released in the brain when we engage in rewarding activities, such as eating, exercise, and sex. It is a naturally occurring chemical, and our brains are designed to both process and release it, and reuptake dopamine without any problems.

Cocaine causes the release of an abnormally large amount of dopamine, which interferes with the brain’s ability to reuptake extra dopamine molecules. This means that dopamine molecules that would have been reabsorbed in the brain remain active, thus causing brain cells to over-activate. A goal of detox treatment from cocaine includes allowing the brain to naturally produce dopamine without depending on the drug. 

Short-Term Effects of Cocaine

The effects of cocaine can be felt within minutes of being taken. It quickly enters the bloodstream and travels to the brain. The short-term effects of cocaine use include:

• Euphoria
• Alertness
• Rapid heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Talkativeness
• Sweating
• Hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli
• Dilated pupils

The method of how someone takes it influences the duration of the high. For example, if it’s snorted, the cocaine high comes on within 15 minutes and may last an hour. However, if it’s smoked, the effects are immediate but may only last for 10 to15 minutes. Heavy cocaine use can intensify the above effects and lead to anxiety, paranoia, and confusion.

Long-Term Effects of Cocaine

Prolonged use of cocaine has consistently been found to cause a range of physical and psychological health complications. The most significant risks of prolonged cocaine use are addiction and poor cardiovascular health. To elaborate, cocaine gives a very immediate high that wears off quickly. Because of this, users may seek out more and more cocaine to sustain their high and achieve the same effects. This can be a lethal combination with the drug’s varying purity levels, making cocaine overdose a real possibility.

The long-term effects of cocaine use include:

• Changes in brain structure
• Cardiovascular health complications
• Malnourishment
• Worsened mental health issues (depression, anxiety)
• Dependence and addiction
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Legal issues

Cocaine Detox Symptoms

Once a person has become addicted to cocaine, they will experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using. Withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable. In addition to discomfort, the symptoms can be so debilitating a person often keeps using cocaine to avoid experiencing them.

Some of the most common cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Reduced libido
• Inability to feel pleasure
• Poor concentration
• Mood swings
• Temperature swings
• Tremors
• Nerve pain
• Musculoskeletal aches and pain
• Intense cravings for cocaine
• Suicidal thoughts

How Long Does it Take to Detox from Cocaine?

One of the first questions people have about how to detox from cocaine is regarding how long it takes. Several factors contribute to the amount of time it takes for a person to complete the detox process. For example, these factors include how long and how often the person has abused cocaine, the amount they consume, and if they abuse any other substances. In addition, their physical and mental health can also factor in.

On average, it takes 7 to 10 days to detox from cocaine. The symptoms begin within several hours after the person last used the drug. The first few days of detox provide the biggest challenges due to the intensity of the physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. Over the 7 to 10 day timeframe, symptoms become less intense during the last few days of detox and many of them end completely. For many people, lingering symptoms that continue after the initial detox process include psychological ones, such as anxiety and depression. Furthermore, physical cravings for cocaine may continue for several months. 

Can I Detox from Cocaine at Home?

People wondering how to detox from cocaine often consider if they can do it from home. Cocaine addiction requires professional treatment and that includes the detox process. When a person goes through the cocaine detox process, they experience withdrawal symptoms that can be uncomfortable and even painful. In contrast, when detoxing alone at home, many people give up and return to using cocaine. 

Detoxing from cocaine under professional guidance allows a person access to medications that can ease and eliminate withdrawal symptoms. They have an easier time both physically and emotionally when they receive professional care. Those who go through a formal detox program are more likely to complete the process and to stay in recovery. 

How Does Cocaine Detox in Memphis, TN Work?

Detoxification is the elimination of chemical residue from the body after prolonged substance abuse. The body undergoes this process naturally when we stop using cocaine, or any other substance for that matter. However, the process of detoxification sets the stage for the challenging withdrawal symptoms to begin. Detox West Tennessee provides our clients with fully medically supervised cocaine detox here in Memphis, TN. In our detox programs, clients are supported 24/7 by caring addiction and mental health experts. Detox is a crucial time in recovery. and if you can quickly get the professional help you need after the last use of cocaine, your chances of recovery are higher.

There are currently no cocaine-specific detox medications. However, some medications are prescribed to help clients manage their withdrawal symptoms. We can provide medical assistance in the form of benzodiazepines – anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) medications that can reduce the severity of withdrawal. Furthermore, we also have expert counselors and psychiatrists on board to help clients struggling through this challenging and vulnerable time.

Detoxification is the first step on the road to recovery. After detox, it is highly recommended that clients enter rehabilitation. In rehab, clients receive a range of behavioral and cognitive therapies. These modalities address the underlying reasons for cocaine use, promoting effective self-management and emotional resilience.

Cocaine Detox in Memphis, TN

If you or a loved one are struggling with cocaine addiction, please contact us today. We can help you begin your path to recovery, and offer locations near Jackson and Memphis. We offer comprehensive support in the form of a medically supervised cocaine detox program, wound care and holistic care that helps you take the first step to live a sober life here in Memphis, Tennessee. We also offer detox services for those near Jonesboro, Arkansas, and accept UHC and Cigna insurance. All clients are treated with compassion and non-judgment in a safe and comfortable environment.