If you’re ready to start the road to cocaine detox and recovery, it’s important to know what is ahead of you. This cocaine withdrawal timeline will help you know what to expect.
It’s estimated that cocaine is the second most illegally trafficked drug in the world. Millions of people use it, and many of them will struggle with cocaine addiction at some point in their lives.
Have you ever wondered what going through a cocaine detox is like? Are you curious about how long it takes to experience a detox, and what you or a loved one will be feeling during it?
If you want to know the answers to your questions, read on to learn more.
What Factors Affect A Cocaine Detox
Before we get started, it’s important to note that this timeline will vary for some people.
Acute withdrawal from cocaine, in general, can last anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Cocaine will remain in the body for about 72 hours after it’s ingested.
There are some factors that will play a big role in determining how long it takes to detox from cocaine and how intense the withdrawal symptoms can be.
Length of Use
People who have been using cocaine for months are going to have a longer and more intense cocaine withdrawal and detox experience than people that have been using for a few weeks.
Long-term users have a buildup of cocaine in their system that they have to shed. People who haven’t been using as long may have a shorter and less physically intense time detoxing.
Amount of Use
We did just mention that long-term users may have a more intense withdrawal process, but heavy users that have only been using for a few weeks can have just as difficult of a time.
People that use large amounts of cocaine will most likely experience withdrawal symptoms for a longer period of time. Their brains are used to experiencing a more intense and longer high and will struggle without it.
Drug purity can also affect the amount of use. It isn’t uncommon for some dealers to cut cocaine with other powders. If you’ve been using a more “pure” form of the drug, detox and withdrawal can be more difficult.
Environment
It’s important to note that drug addiction isn’t a purely physical problem, it’s also a psychological problem.
If you find yourself in an environment where drug use is commonplace, accepted, and even encouraged, you could have a difficult time going through the detox process.
It’s also important to note that stress can make withdrawal and detox more challenging. Relationship problems, work stress, and issues with family can make cocaine detox stressful.