Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and fast-acting stimulant that can negatively impact a person physically and mentally. For those working toward recovery, withdrawal from crack is often the first and most challenging step. With the right knowledge and support, recovery from crack cocaine addiction is possible.
If you’re struggling with crack addiction or supporting someone who is, understanding the symptoms, timeline, and treatment options for withdrawal is essential to building the path toward long-lasting healing.
Understanding Crack Withdrawal
Crack cocaine is a stronger, faster-acting form of cocaine that’s processed into crystals and typically smoked. The substance can often lead to more intense withdrawal symptoms and a longer recovery timeline compared to cocaine withdrawal. When someone with physical and psychological dependence stops or reduces their crack use, the brain has difficulty naturally producing the chemicals it had relied on the stimulate.
Drug withdrawal happens when the levels of brain chemicals influenced by a substance drop suddenly, disrupting the body’s central nervous system. The symptoms of crack withdrawal reflect the body’s process of relearning how to function without relying on the drug.
Is Crack Withdrawal Dangerous?
Crack withdrawal usually isn’t deadly, but the emotional and physical toll it takes can still lead to serious challenges if left untreated. Some of these long-term effects include stroke, heart failure, or infections.
Crack cocaine withdrawals can be dangerous if a person relapses. A person’s risk of accidental overdose is higher because their tolerance is lower after they stop using cocaine regularly.
The Crack Cocaine Crisis in North Carolina
- 13% Of tested cocaine/crack in North Carolina had fentanyl present 1
- 12% of 100 people died each day in North Carolina from drug overdose in 2023 2
- 1.5% of people aged 12 and older in North Carolina used crack cocaine between 2021 and 2022 3
Crack Withdrawal Symptoms
Crack cocaine is addicting and can be hard to overcome, especially for those with a crack cocaine use disorder. Crack withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, so medical professionals often recommend a supervised detox for drugs.
Crack withdrawal has two phases – acute and post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) – that include some common symptoms of withdrawal. The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on several factors related to a history of crack cocaine use.
Physical Symptoms
Some of the common physical symptoms of crack withdrawal include:
- Nerve pain
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Difficulty with motor functions
- Extreme fatigue
- Slowed motor functions
Mental & Emotional Symptoms
Some of the common mental and emotional symptoms of crack withdrawal include:
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Increased appetite
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Nightmares
Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS)
Some of the common PAWS symptoms of crack withdrawal include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Agitation or shaking
- Cravings
- Insomnia
- Lack of motivation
- Anhedonia
- Emotional outburst
Crack Withdrawal Timeline
The duration of withdrawal from crack cocaine can vary, and some mental symptoms can linger long after the physical symptoms have faded. Generally speaking, the timeline for crack withdrawal is as follows:
- 30 minutes to 72 hours: Withdrawal symptoms will appear after the last use.
- 3 to 7 days: As the symptoms peak, people will experience a shorter temper, extreme fatigue, and trouble sleeping.
- 7 to 14 days: Once side effects have peaked, symptoms like drug cravings, depression, and anxiety will persist.
- 14 to 28 days: The body begins to stabilize, but minor drug cravings and depressive symptoms may still be present.
Crack Detox: What to Expect
Trying to quit cold turkey without support or medical supervision puts people at risk for relapse and serious health complications. The safest way a drug addict can end crack cocaine addiction is to go to a medical detox. Medical assistance can help manage withdrawal symptoms in a secure and comfortable space.
Detox facilities in North Carolina may offer prescription drugs to help provide short-term relief to withdrawal symptoms. Complications with depression and anxiety make it important for medical staff to monitor a patient’s mental state closely.
Crack detox is not addiction treatment, but it is a significant first step to a recovery plan. High-risk cases may need the support of a medical professional before seeking additional treatment. Speaking with a doctor or professional about the best treatment plan for you or your loved one is essential.
Treatment for Crack Addiction in Wilmington, NC
After detox, individuals may continue to experience restlessness, anxiety, and depression— symptoms commonly linked to crack cocaine PAWS. Treatment programs and support groups that target these ongoing challenges can help build coping strategies and relapse-prevention skills, ultimately lowering the risk of relapse and accidental overdose.3
Some therapies for crack addiction can include:
- Motivational interviewing (MI): MI can address the lack of motivation some people experience in PAWS but establish personal goals for recovery and life.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT encourages people to acknowledge unhelpful or negative thoughts, behaviors, and feelings related to crack use.
- Fitness therapy: Exercise can effectively repair the effects addiction has on the brain’s reward system. Restlessness and movement
- Writing therapy: Acknowledging emotional reactions and responses connected to trauma and addiction can help heal the emotional wounds of addiction.
FAQs for Crack Withdrawals and Detox
How long does crack withdrawal last?
Crack withdrawal can vary from person to person. Factors that influence the timeline of crack withdrawal include:
- Amount used
- Length of use
- History of crack use
- Co-occurring mental health issues
- Family history of substance abuse
Understanding how these factors impact your withdrawals can help you build an effective treatment plan with a professional.
Is it safe to detox from crack at home?
Detoxing from crack cocaine at home carries serious risks and can significantly increase the chances of relapse. Creating a comprehensive treatment plan that includes medically supervised detox and ongoing care can help you develop essential life skills, address the root causes of addiction, and establish goals for long-term recovery.
What’s the most common crack withdrawal symptom?
Intense craving is a significant symptom of crack withdrawal. However, these cravings tend to fade linearly when patients engage in effective treatment after detox.4
Can crack withdrawal be fatal?
Crack withdrawal is usually not life-threatening. However, people with severe crack cocaine use disorder may be at risk of harming themselves or others.
Tree House Recovery’s Crack Detox & Rehab in Wilmington, NC
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction to crack cocaine or facing the challenges of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), Tree House Recovery in Wilmington is ready to help you take the next step. Our drug and alcohol treatment programs address the physical and emotional symptoms of crack addiction while equipping clients with practical life skills, personalized recovery goals, and the long-term support needed for lasting change.
You don’t have to experience recovery alone. Contact our admissions team today for a fast, free, and confidential assessment — and start building a treatment plan that empowers you to reclaim your life.
- World Health Organization. Withdrawal management. Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings. January 1, 1970. Accessed May 21, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/#:~:text=Buprenorphine%20is%20the%20best%20opioid,withdrawal%20symptoms%20and%20reduces%20cravings.
- SAMHSA. 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) releases. SAMHSA.gov. Accessed May 21, 2025. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/nsduh-national-survey-drug-use-and-health/national-releases/2022.
- SAMHSA. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, 2022 and 2023. SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Accessed May 21, 2025. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt56188/2023-nsduh-sae-state-tables_0/2023-nsduh-sae-state-tables.htm.
- Baker L. . University at Buffalo. JStudy of Cocaine Withdrawal Shows Symptoms are Less Daunting Than Previously Thought. June 20, 2000. Accessed May 21, 2025. https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2000/06/4788.html.