Starting recovery from cocaine addiction can feel overwhelming, but understanding what withdrawal looks like and knowing help is available can be the first step toward lasting change.
If you or a loved one is ready to start treatment after cocaine withdrawals and detox, we are here to help. Our admissions team at our Wilmington treatment center can provide a quick, fast, free assessment or schedule a tour of our facility to help you start your recovery today. Reach out through our online contact form or by phone today to learn more about our cocaine addiction treatment programs.
Understanding Cocaine Withdrawal
After stopping or cutting back on cocaine or crack cocaine use, individuals often go through a range of physical and psychological symptoms known as withdrawal.1 Withdrawal is typically a result of an ongoing addiction to a substance, or a mental and physical dependency.
Cocaine is a powerful stimulation that can change the brain’s chemistry dramatically. Withdrawals from cocaine heavily affect the brain and emotional regulation because of the substance’s effects on the dopamine imbalance and stress hormones. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can begin soon after stopping use, and their intensity can vary based on several factors, including how long the person used cocaine, the amount used, their addiction history, and overall physical health.
Is Cocaine Withdrawal Dangerous?
While cocaine withdrawal is not physically dangerous, like detoxing from alcohol or opioids, some of the symptoms can lead to mental health risks. A 2021 study from Frontiers in Psychiatry found that 77% of the 313 patients experienced depressive symptoms during cocaine withdrawal, like hallucinations and anhedonia.2
Long-lasting symptoms of this type of substance abuse can increase the risk of psychological cravings, which can lead to relapse.
What is Cocaine Withdrawal?
Cocaine Use & Withdrawal in North Carolina
Cocaine use is an increasing problem in North Carolina. Opioids are the current leading cause of overdose deaths in the state, but cocaine-related overdoses have been rising.3
1.7%
of people aged 12 and older used cocaine between 2022 and 20234
12%
of 100 people died each day in North Carolina from drug overdose in 2023 3
70%
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Cocaine?
Most cocaine withdrawal symptoms affect a person’s mental and emotional health, often involving anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts or behaviors. These symptoms generally improve after a week, but the cravings may continue. Developing strong life skills to help prevent relapse and improve mood can help aid a person’s long-term recovery.
The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include:
- Exhaustion
- Irritability
- Hunger
- Vivid dreams
- Depression
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Body aches
- Insomnia
- Cravings
- Increased Appetite
- Difficulty focusing
Depending on the severity of a person’s addiction, cocaine withdrawal symptoms may vary. Length of use, dosage, and frequency of use can impact the symptoms a person may experience and the level of treatment that will help strengthen their relapse prevention.
Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline: How Long Do Symptoms Last?
During cocaine withdrawal, symptoms can be powerful and intense. Symptoms can appear in the first 24 hours of the last dosage, which is why cocaine and other stimulated drugs are so addictive.
The stages of cocaine withdrawal are:
- Day 1: Cocaine withdrawal symptoms begin to appear, often creating a discomforting feeling or “crash” shortly after stopping use.
- Days 2 – 7: Acute physical and emotional symptoms, along with intense cravings, typically peak. Individuals may have trouble thinking clearly, feel fatigued, and experience muscle aches.
- Weeks 2 – 4: Symptoms begin to taper in intensity after peaking. Around day 10, many people start to feel physically better, though psychological symptoms—such as anxiety, depression, or irritability—may worsen during this time.
- Weeks 5 – 12: Most physical withdrawal symptoms subside. However, psychological withdrawal—such as mood swings, cravings, or sleep disturbances—can persist for 12 weeks or more.
After long-term heavy use, cravings and depression may persist for months. Some individuals going through cocaine withdrawal may also struggle with suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harming behavior.
Dangers of Withdrawing from Cocaine
Cocaine withdrawals can be physically and emotionally intense, which can cause a person to relapse to ease the discomfort. While detoxing from cocaine is not physically dangerous, there are still risks that individuals withdrawing from cocaine should be aware of, including:
- Overdose Risk After Quitting: After stopping cocaine, a person’s lowered tolerance increases the risk of accidental overdose if they use again.
- Mental Health Challenges: Long-term withdrawal can cause paranoia, depression, or hallucinations. Getting treatment can help manage these symptoms and lower the risk of relapse.
- Risk of Self-Harm: Ongoing withdrawal may lead to suicidal thoughts or self-harm, making proper treatment essential for safety and recovery.
Because of the risks linked to cocaine withdrawal, it’s important to find a rehab center nearby that aligns with your recovery goals. Contact our admissions team today by phone or online to start a personalized treatment plan for a healthier future.
Cocaine Detox: What to Expect
A medically supervised detox provides a safe, structured setting to manage withdrawal and begin recovery. In an inpatient program, healthcare professionals closely monitor you throughout the cocaine detox process.
Cocaine detox is an important step in early recovery. This is especially important for people with heart conditions, since stimulants can raise the risk of stroke or heart attack.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment in Wilmington, NC
Continued treatment can help manage more severe and long-lasting symptoms of cocaine addiction.
Cocaine addiction treatment for lingering withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Inpatient rehab
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
- Evening Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
- Aftercare support from 12-step programs like Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Doctors may use some medications to provide short-term symptom relief. However, rehab programs like Tree House Recovery offer addiction treatments that help individuals develop life skills to manage everyday stress and prevent relapse.
FAQs for Cocaine Withdrawals and Detox
How long does cocaine withdrawal last?
The most intense withdrawal symptoms often subside within four weeks. However, without effective treatment, ongoing issues like depression, anxiety, cravings, and mood swings can linger for 12 weeks or longer.
Is detoxing from cocaine safe at home?
Detoxing from cocaine at home can be extremely dangerous, especially when doing it alone. Cocaine withdrawals can be uncomfortable and sometimes harmful, increasing the risk of relapse and accidental overdose. The safest option is to detox with medical supervision.
What is the most common symptom of cocaine withdrawal?
Depressive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, or stereotypes) are the most common symptoms of cocaine withdrawal.2
Does everyone go through PAWS for cocaine?
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms and timelines vary from person to person. While one person may not experience intense physiological symptoms after 12 weeks, another may struggle with depressive symptoms for weeks or months. The severity of the amount and long-term use are factors that influence the symptoms of withdrawal from cocaine.
Find Help for Cocaine Withdrawal in Wilmington, NC
If you or a loved one is experiencing cocaine withdrawal or are looking for the next step in your recovery, we are here to help. Our team of addiction counselors have the life-experience to understand the struggles of addiction, and are here to help you find effective ways to thrive in sobriety.
Our Wilmington treatment center offers two treatment programs for substance use disorders. Contact our admissions team through our online form or over the phone today to start your recovery.
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association. 2013. Accessed May 20, 2025
- Cabé J, Brousse G, Pereira B, et al. Influence of Clinical Markers of Dopaminergic Behaviors on Depressive Symptoms During Withdrawal in Cocaine Users. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:775670. Published 2021 Nov 22. Accessed May 20, 2025. oi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.775670
- 3. Bergin M, Lovingood C. Nearly 12 People Die Each Day in NC From Overdoses, State Data Shows. WRAL.com. August 31, 2023. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://www.wral.com/story/nearly-12-people-die-each-day-in-nc-from-overdoses-state-data-shows/21027750/.
- Gupta M. Withdrawal syndromes. StatPearls [Internet]. September 2, 2024. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459239/.
- Drug Overdose Deaths: Facts and Figures. National Institutes of Health. September 30, 2024. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates#Fig6.