The thought of overcoming cocaine addiction might seem impossible, but it isn’t. With the right help and support, you can do it. The first step for lifelong recovery is cocaine detox. By allowing your body to fully rid itself of cocaine, you will be able to focus all your full attention on your rehab and recovery.

Understanding the importance of professional support during cocaine detox is a critical step toward a successful and long-lasting recovery. Despite any fear, anxiety or hesitation you might have, just know that you can get through this. We are here to support you.

Understanding Cocaine Detox

Detoxification or detox is the physiological process of a substance leaving the body. Cocaine eventually leaves your system in one to four days, but it can be detectable for prolonged periods. Cocaine will likely come up in drug screening if you are a chronic user.

The effects of cocaine typically hit within 10 to 30 minutes. It is a fast-acting drug that often leaves the system much more quickly than other types of substances. This can be beneficial during the initial detox, but that does not mean addiction recovery from cocaine is easier than that of other drugs. The psychological component of addiction is that recovering from cocaine use disorder requires the same level of commitment, perseverance and patience.

During cocaine detox, it’s important to manage any withdrawal symptoms that may occur. There are two types of cocaine withdrawal you need to know:

• Acute withdrawal takes place in the first hours to days after quitting, and the symptoms tend to be intense before tapering off.
• Post-acute withdrawal (or protracted withdrawal) occurs after detox and can persist for months. Its symptoms range from mild to intense and may require medication to manage until they resolve naturally.

Professional detox from cocaine involves having medical supervision throughout the process. This is different from other types of detox, which generally do not have the level of education, expertise or support available as your body rids itself of the substance.

Detox is one of the most vulnerable periods during recovery as you may be more inclined to use the drug to alleviate cocaine withdrawal symptoms. This could cause you to take a higher dose or to take more cocaine while it is already in your system, increasing your risk of an overdose.

Professional detox ensures that you have the support you need to make withdrawal symptoms manageable. This will help you feel more balanced and stable as the cocaine leaves your body and you prepare for the next step.

The Importance of Cocaine Detox

Without going through detox, it is impossible to achieve sobriety. Some people think that if they just moderate their cocaine use, they can eventually stop taking it altogether. However, this generally causes them to continually use it for longer periods and may increase the risk of an overdose. Taking cocaine in moderation can cause it to build up in your system, which makes it more dangerous for you each time you use the drug.

Detox is necessary to ensure that the effects of cocaine have completely worn off and that the drug is out of your system completely before starting treatment. Cocaine detox that is performed under the supervision of trained medical professionals ensures that you will be taken care of throughout the process.

In addition to monitoring your vital signs and mental health throughout the detox period, your team will be able to intervene if there are any complications and offer medications that can help offset the discomfort that the symptoms can cause.

Cocaine Detoxification Methods

There are two primary methods of cocaine detox available. The first is medically assisted cocaine detox, which involves taking medication prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist to make your withdrawal symptoms easier to manage. For people who do not want to take cocaine withdrawal medication, there is a holistic detox approach available. Holistic drug detox involves using supportive therapies, like meditation and yoga, to balance your mind and body as it goes through detox.

We need to note that there are currently no FDA-improved medications that help treat cocaine addiction. Instead, there are complementary medications that may be prescribed to address specific symptoms of cocaine withdrawal, such as insomnia, nausea and anxiety.

Whether you prefer the option of medical support or want to detox without it, our team is here to support you.

Benefits of Cocaine Detox

Detox helps prepare you for treatment. It’s not a treatment in and of itself. Some people struggle to enter treatment after detox, believing that if they made it through this challenging period, then they’re “cured” of addiction. However, research supports the idea that detox before treatment leads to improved outcomes.

Cocaine detox helps support a healthy recovery by ensuring you have already overcome the acute withdrawal effects before starting treatment. When you transition into a program, whether it be inpatient or outpatient, you will already have one of the most challenging aspects behind you.

Cocaine detox programs also offer increased safety compared to traditional detox methods. You do not have to quit on your own and suffer alone. You can have a supportive team of empathetic healthcare professionals by your side the entire time. Having support during detox improves not only your physical health but emotional well-being, too.

Rather than feeling anxious and defeated by withdrawal symptoms, you have access to help that alleviates them and builds your confidence as you move forward with rehab.

Choosing a Cocaine Detox Program

When selecting a cocaine detox facility, you should consider its credentials. Ensure that the staff has licensure and are qualified as psychiatrists, doctors and substance abuse counselors. People overseeing your detox should have the education, experience and resources to provide you unwavering support during your cocaine detox.

Other factors to consider include:

• The length of treatment
• The level of monitoring they offer
• Whether they offer medically assisted detox
• Holistic therapies available to help you during detox
• The comfort of the accommodations
• Cost and financing options
• Transitional care into inpatient or outpatient treatment for cocaine addiction

You should also make sure you work with a facility that is accredited and has the credentials to offer cocaine detox. Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) or The Joint Commission accreditation are the leading credentials for a recovery center. They demonstrate a commitment to excellence, patient care and evidence-based therapies that can help people struggling with substance abuse and addiction.

Another important consideration of a recovery program is the level of individualized care they offer. Many cocaine detox centers use a 12-step method, and while this has worked wonders for millions of people, it may not be right for everyone. For example, do you have mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder? If so, you should look for a program that offers dual-diagnosis treatment to ensure your care is comprehensive and personalized for your needs.

Addiction affects every aspect of someone’s life, and we are all unique. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to cocaine addiction treatment. Instead, there are evidence-based practices clinically proven to deliver the most effective results. The right facility will select the best techniques from these therapies to build individualized plans to support you on your recovery journey.

What to Expect During Cocaine Detox

During cocaine detox, withdrawal symptoms can start within a few hours to a day after quitting. This depends on how much cocaine your body is used to and how frequently you were taking it.

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Insomnia
• Feeling depressed and anxious
• Irritability and anger
• Restlessness and a sense of general discomfort
• Vivid dreams or nightmares
• Increased appetite
• Slower physical movements (psychomotor retardation)

The detoxification process is often done on an inpatient basis, so you can receive 24-hour care and monitoring from trained medical professionals. In mild cases of cocaine dependence, patients may be monitored remotely and have access to a care team as they detox from home.

Both inpatient and outpatient detox programs can be effective. Choosing the right one is best done with the help of a recovery specialist. With their guidance, you can be certain that you are placed in a cocaine detoxification program that is right for you.

Aftercare and Continued Support

Aftercare is a set of services cocaine detox centers should offer their patients to help them succeed in recovery. A tailored approach to treatment ensures that you are guided toward the most effective next steps. Some tailored treatments are:

• A residential rehabilitation program that allows you to receive ongoing support and therapy.
• A partial hospitalization program (PHP) that offers an intensive form of rehab with the added convenience of returning to your own home each evening.
• An intensive outpatient program (IOP) that allows you to receive comprehensive counseling and therapy without residing in a residential facility. Treatment periods during the day are slightly shorter than PHP programs.
• Outpatient cocaine rehab that offers group and individual therapy to help you reach your sobriety goals in fewer hours per day, so you can maintain your schedule.

After rehab, it is also valuable to have resources, like support groups and peer networks with a sobriety mentor, to help you move forward. Many programs also offer job assistance, case management and holistic therapies that can help you continue to improve your life.

Start Your Recovery Journey With Cocaine Detox in Portland, Maine

Detox is the first step toward recovering from cocaine addiction. It helps you begin to overcome physiological dependence so you can focus on the psychological aspects behind your addiction.

Liberty Bay Recovery Center offers cocaine detox and a variety of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative programs for people struggling with substance abuse or addiction. Are you ready to take the first step? Do you have questions about our programs? Reach out to us today online or call 855-607-8758. We are always here to help.