Previous: Professional Help Is Needed
Cocaine Withdrawal
Back to the document's frontpageCocaine withdrawal is tough. The first days of abstinence are characterized by a devastating depression, severe anxiety, restlessness, insomnia and even aggressive behaviors.
The first few days are the hardest, then the healing can begin
The body is at this point working to counter the damage done through a period of cocaine abuse, and the biochemical processes of the brain are not functioning effectively. The brain is incapable of producing sensations of happiness or pleasure without cocaine, and as such this initial period of abstinence can be a very miserable and spiritually low few days.
The cravings for cocaine at this point will be almost unbearable, and when coupled with the desire to end the depression, unless in a sequestered program, the addict will almost always use again, if only to feel normal.
In a residential cocaine treatment program, this initial period will be supervised by addictions professionals, who know and understand the behaviors and feelings of withdrawal; and will work with the addict, and prescribe anti anxiety and anti depressive medications to ease the suffering of cocaine withdrawal. The first few days are the hardest, and once past the initial despair, the real healing can begin.
