5 Most Common Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine is perhaps, one of the most highly addictive drugs on the planet. Users report feelings of intense euphoria, increased alertness and energy, elevated moods, and some people develop a grandiosity which makes it hard them to refrain from using cocaine. While cocaine produces some desirable effects, it causes many more physical and psychological health problems that nobody wants to suffer from, including withdrawals.

Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine users rapidly develop a tolerance to cocaine and depending on whether it is snorted, smoked, or injected, and the amounts used, the high lasts from a 30 minutes to a couple of hours. The euphoric rush becomes a craving for more and the more the person uses, the more they will depend on cocaine to feel pleasure. Cocaine cravings lead to addiction and the user is compelled to seek and use cocaine, despite negative or adverse consequences.

Cocaine Dangers

The psychological dangers of cocaine abuse are highly negative and complex. Anxiety, paranoia, restlessness, and stress are common side effects, but, more severe problems can occur at any time. Tremors, convulsions, increased heart rate and blood pressure can be significant signs of physical danger. Cocaine causes cardiovascular problems leading to heart attacks, seizures, strokes, overdose, and death. It can also damage the respiratory, endocrine, urinary, immune, and reproductive systems of the body.

Cocaine Withdrawal

The pleasurable effects of cocaine wear off quickly and the powerful euphoria is replaced with a powerful dysphoria when withdrawals begin. The symptoms can be so strong that the user will do just about anything to use cocaine again.

5 Most Common Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine withdrawal causes symptoms of depression and anxiety.

1. Intense cravings for cocaine can be overwhelming during the acute withdrawal stage and many succumb to using again within weeks. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Scientists have long recognized that cocaine craving intensifies, or incubates, for several weeks following withdrawal from the drug.”
2. Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, paranoia, irritability, or aggression will increase in intensity over a period of 1-3 days. In chronic abuse, the symptoms can last longer, but usually dissipate as time goes by.
3. Extreme depression and suicidal ideology can be signs of psychological impairments which can be dangerous or life threatening.
4. Physical symptoms of fatigue and physical pain decrease within a couple of days
5. Insomnia and restlessness are major cocaine withdrawal symptoms that almost everyone gets. These symptoms increase the potential for accidents and irrational or bizarre behaviors as well as other physiological problems.