Cravings caused by cocaine withdrawal occur when someone addicted to this substance abruptly stops using and feels a strong urge to use. Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs. For this reason, it is important to seek help to minimise withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse, which will decrease if the person has undergone a recovery process. At CCAdicciones, we offer a cocaine detox treatment so you can stop using this drug with full medical guarantees.
Cravings
What are cravings?
When someone addicted to cocaine stops using this substance without any control, in a radical and abrupt way, the health consequences will be harmful. Withdrawal syndrome will appear, along with cravings. The term craving comes from the English verb “crave”, which means to long for. It is the desire to use the drug to which dependence has developed.
Relapse in addiction is common, and cravings are the main culprit. If the person does not have the necessary tools to overcome this strong urge to use, they will not be able to control it and will use cocaine again. For this reason, it is so important to learn tactics to control behaviour and to know how to cope and act in situations that may pose a risk.
When do cravings occur?
There are 4 different scenarios in which cravings related to cocaine addiction can occur. First, due to the inability to overcome withdrawal symptoms. A cocaine addict who stops using feels they cannot live without this substance. The need they feel can lead them to relapse into cocaine use. Lack of pleasure can be another factor that triggers cravings and a return to addiction. If the person feels unmotivated, has no desire to do anything, and lacks the strength to keep making an effort in the recovery process, they may see cocaine use as a solution and the urge to use increases. Someone who has been addicted to cocaine associates certain settings, situations, people… with their use. In these circumstances, the urge to use will be greater, and it is necessary to overcome these drug-use-related cues to avoid relapsing. Finally, due to hedonic reasons. The desire to use again is produced by combining cocaine use with a pleasurable activity.
Cocaine withdrawal syndrome
Once cocaine addiction has developed and use is abruptly stopped, the person will experience what is known as cocaine withdrawal syndrome. These are physical and mental symptoms that may vary depending on three factors: how long the person has been addicted, frequency of use, and variables related to personal aspects. The duration of withdrawal syndrome will depend on each person and will be defined by the circumstances mentioned above.
Although each person may experience cocaine withdrawal syndrome differently, some common symptoms can be identified, such as:
- General discomfort
- Low mood
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Paranoia
- Reduced activity
- Mood swings
- Irritability
Stages of withdrawal syndrome
Cocaine withdrawal syndrome is divided into 3 stages:
- Crash phase. This is the first stage, so cravings, desire, and urges to use cocaine are very present. The person is in a low mood, feels depressed, and has no desire to do anything. Feelings such as apathy, irritability, insomnia… are common.
- Withdrawal phase. It is common for the person to experience mood changes. There will be days when the person feels normal and others when they show anxiety and irritability. Being monitored during this phase is key because the risk of relapse is high.
- Extinction phase. This is considered the final stage of withdrawal syndrome because feelings and behaviours stabilise. The person no longer feels as depressed, and this feeling has been brought under control. In any case, this does not mean that momentary urges to use cocaine again will not appear, whether due to external factors or personal situations.
Cocaine detox treatment
Stopping cocaine use is possible, but professional help is needed to begin a detox treatment. A medical and therapeutic team will analyse your specific case and then recommend the treatment that best suits your circumstances.
The first step after contacting a specialised addiction centre is to undergo medical detox. Once this process begins, it will be complemented with therapies as a method of breaking the habit. This phase is key in the recovery process because the patient will acquire tools and methods to control their behaviour and emotions. They will learn new habits and routines to begin a healthy life away from addiction. This will be done through therapy, both individual and group.
At CCAdicciones we support the patient throughout the entire recovery process, as well as their family members, to guide them and offer them all our support. It is a private clinic with experience in treating cocaine addiction, and medical staff are available to patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is the number one centre nationwide with an 86% recovery rate, as it focuses both on the disease of addiction and on the person’s closest circle.
Treatment stages
Taking the step to start a detox treatment can be a complicated moment, full of doubts and uncertainty: What treatment should I do? Do I need to be admitted? What does cocaine detox treatment involve? These are just some of the questions a person asks before seeking professional help.
At CCAdicciones, we explain what our cocaine detox treatment involves, which is divided into 4 distinct stages:
1. Detox. Admission begins with cocaine detox. It is especially important for the patient to be monitored during the first hours and days because withdrawal syndrome is severe. The person will be monitored during the first hours.
2. Breaking the habit. The second phase aims to bring about a change in the patient’s mindset so they can get rid of toxic behaviours associated with cocaine use. Therapies are the techniques used to achieve this, along with complementary therapeutic activities.
3. Rehabilitation. Due to the disease of addiction, the person may lose physical and mental abilities. During rehabilitation, work will be done to recover the abilities that have been diminished by cocaine use.
4. Reintegration. Once the patient has completed their treatment at the centre, it is time to gradually reintegrate into their life. They can receive treatment at any of the different centres that CCAdicciones has. Professionals will support the patient throughout the recovery process, even after leaving the centre. The same applies to their family members, who will also receive psychological support.
Avoiding cravings caused by cocaine addiction
If you or someone close to you suffers from cocaine addiction, we recommend seeking help from addiction experts. Overcoming cravings and cocaine withdrawal syndrome is possible, but treatment will be needed to control the urge to use this drug.
Get in touch with CCAdicciones if you need to overcome cocaine cravings and addiction. Regaining control of your life is possible. Call us and we will provide you with information!
