Cocaine withdrawal Health Article

Definition

Cocaine withdrawal occurs when a heavy cocaine user cuts down or quits taking the drug.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cocaine produces a sense of extreme joy by causing the brain to release higher than normal amounts of some biochemicals. However, cocaine's effects on other parts of the body can be very serious or even deadly.

When cocaine use is stopped or when a binge ends, a crash follows almost immediately. This crash is accompanied by a strong craving for more cocaine. Additional symptoms include fatigue, lack of pleasure, anxiety, irritability, sleepiness, and sometimes agitation or extreme suspicion.

Cocaine withdrawal often has no visible physical symptoms like the vomiting and shaking that accompanies the withdrawal from heroin or alcohol.

In the past, people underestimated the how addictive cocaine can be. However, cocaine is addictive when addiction is defined as a desire for more of the drug, despite negative consequences.

The level of craving, irritability, delayed depression, and other symptoms produced by cocaine withdrawal rivals or exceeds that felt with other withdrawal syndromes.

See also:

• Drug abuse
• Drug abuse and dependence
• Stroke secondary to cocaine

Symptoms

Primary symptoms may include:

• Agitation and restless behavior
• Depressed mood
• Fatigue
• Generalized malaise
• Increased appetite
• Vivid and unpleasant dreams
• Slowing of activity

The craving and depression can last for months following cessation of long-term heavy use (particularly daily). Withdrawal symptoms may also be associated with suicidal thoughts in some people.

During withdrawal, there can be powerful, intense cravings for cocaine. However, the "high" associated with ongoing use becomes less and less pleasant, and can produce fear and extreme suspicion rather than joy (euphoria). Just the same, the cravings may remain powerful.

Signs and tests

A physical examination and history of cocaine use are sufficient to diagnose this condition.

A toxicology (poison) screen may be performed to see if other drugs may have been taken.