Cocaine Detox Programs in Fayetteville, Arkansas

What is Cocaine Detox?

Cocaine detox is a short-term program that can help people rid their bodies of cocaine safely and as comfortably as possible.

When a person uses cocaine, the drug interacts with receptors in the central nervous system that are associated with brain chemicals such as:

• Serotonin, which is involved with mood regulation, memory, reward, the sleep/wake cycle, appetite, and sexual desire
• Dopamine, which is often referred to as the “feel good” hormone due to its influence on reward, motivation, pleasure, arousal, and mood
• Norepinephrine, which plays a key role in the body’s “fight or flight” response by elevating alertness and attention, increasing heart rate and oxygen intake, and directing additional blood and oxygen to the muscles

By briefly triggering increased levels of these hormones and neurotransmitters, cocaine causes short-term effects such as increased energy, elevated mood, and heightened self-confidence.

However, when a person uses cocaine frequently, their system will begin to adapt to the presence of the drug. This adaptation can include relying on the drug to maintain appropriate levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine – which is why people who are addicted to cocaine need to use the drug simply to feel “normal.” 

More: How Addictive is Cocaine?

Without cocaine, the amount of these essential chemicals in their central nervous system can plummet, and their body will be temporarily unable to maintain adequate levels on their own. These chemical imbalances are responsible for many of the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal. 

A cocaine detox program can provide medical and therapeutic support to ease a person’s withdrawal symptoms, protect their health, and reduce their risk of early relapse. 

How Long Does It Take to Detox from Cocaine?

It usually takes a week or two for the more intense symptoms of cocaine withdrawal to subside, then another few weeks for lingering symptoms to dissipate. It’s impossible to establish a definitive duration for this experience, as some people will complete the process relatively quickly, while others may continue to struggle for extended period of time.

Factors that can affect how long it takes to get through cocaine detox are the individual’s age and general health, how much cocaine they’ve been using, how long they’ve been addicted to cocaine, and if they’ve gone through withdrawal before.

More: How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Your System?

Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal 

The types of withdrawal symptoms a person experiences during cocaine withdrawal can be influenced by many of the same factors that can affect the length of time it take to complete the process. Symptoms can also vary depending on how a person has been using cocaine – such as by snorting it in powder form, smoking it in rock form (crack), or dissolving it into a liquid an injecting it.

Given these qualifiers, potential physical symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can include:

• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Headache
• Excessive perspiration
• Appetite changes
• Tics or tremors
• Abnormal sleep patterns (insomnia or hypersomnia) 

From a mental health perspective, cocaine withdrawal can also cause symptoms such as:

• Powerful cravings for cocaine
• Slowed mental processing
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating
• Memory problems
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Anhedonia (low motivation and inability to experience joy)
• Panic attacks
• Irritability and agitation
• Vivid nightmares
• Suicidal thoughts

As described in a January 2024 article in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, people who experience particularly severe withdrawal symptoms may have an elevated risk of relapsing after completing detox. This underscores the importance of following detox with continued treatment at the residential and/or outpatient levels.

Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline 

The cocaine withdrawal timeline may involve three phases:

• The first phase, which is often referred to as the “crash,” is the period when symptoms are most intense. People usually start to feel their first symptoms within 24 hours of ending their cocaine use. These symptom will usually intensify over the following three to five days, then begin to gradually recede. This phase can last for one to two weeks.
• The second phase typically involves psychological symptoms such as cravings, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating or focusing. Physical symptoms rarely persist into this phase, but the cognitive limitations and emotional distress can be highly disruptive. This phase may last from two weeks to a month or longer.
• The third phase is characterized by protracted struggles with symptoms such as cravings, mood swings, and low motivation. Sometimes referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), this phase can last for several months. Not everyone goes through this phase, as it is most common among people who have a long history of heavy cocaine use.

More: Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms/Timeline

Cocaine Withdrawal Effects

As noted earlier, cocaine withdrawal can involve physical and psychological discomfort. 

In a cocaine detox program, patients receive professional care to manage these symptoms and diminish their risk of lasting problems. But if you try to withdraw from cocaine on your own, the effects can include:

• Quick relapse due to intensity of symptoms
• Sense of failure due to your inability to quit
• Return to compulsive cocaine use
• Mistaken belief that you’re unable to stop or can’t be helped

The longer you live with untreated cocaine addiction, the greater your risk becomes of incurring damage such as:

• Lost relationships
• Job loss and unemployment
• Financial problems
• Being arrested
• Onset or worsening on mental health conditions
• Withdrawal and isolation
• Homelessness
• Loss of hope for the future
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

What to Expect at our Cocaine Detox in Arkansas

The specifics of a person’s experience in cocaine detox will of course depend on the type and intensity of their symptoms, as well as their ability to cope with these symptoms.

Speaking generally though, here’s what you can expect when you choose to go through withdrawal at our cocaine detox in Arkansas:

• You will be greeted by a friendly member of our team who will review our policies and procedures with you, and answer any questions that you have.
• You will be in a safe and closely supervised environment, where you won’t have access to any drugs that could undermine your recovery.
• You will be cared for by a team of experts who are familiar with all aspects of the recovery process and prepared to address any contingencies that may occur. 
• You may receive prescription medication if your team determines that you can benefit from pharmacological support.
• You may participate in therapy, which can help you learn to manage symptoms that aren’t addressed by medication. During therapy, you can also start to learn how to live a healthier life in recovery.
• Your treatment team will chart your progress, identify any areas of concern, and recommend appropriate follow-on programming, such as residential rehab or outpatient treatment.
• With your permission, your team can share your records from cocaine detox with the program you transfer into. This promotes continuity of care and helps the follow-on program determine which therapies and support services may be best for you.

Recommended: Cocaine Rehab in Arkansas

Does Insurance Cover Cocaine Detox?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes treatment for substance use disorders (addictions) one of 10 essential health benefits. This means that insurance providers must cover this service, and cannot place annual or lifetime caps on the amount they will pay.

This doesn’t mean that everyone with insurance has full coverage for all types of addiction treatment, though. The extent of your coverage will depend on the specifics in your policy.

When you choose Time Wellness Detox, we can coordinate directly with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage and verity the scope of your benefits.