With just one hit, people can become instantly addicted and can suffer severe crack withdrawal symptoms. Because of this instant addiction, severe crack withdrawal symptoms are nearly inevitable. This crystallized form of cocaine, also known as crack, creates an intense but short-lived high. Once the high wears off, users experience an intense depression which can only be relieved by taking more of the drug. This intense emotional cycle associated with crack use is very difficult to break. Making it some of the most severe of crack withdrawal symptoms. For those who attempt to detox from crack, it can be a harrowing event.
While the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from crack addiction are intense, undergoing professional drug treatment is the only way to break the cycle of abuse. If you are addicted to crack cocaine and looking to break free, you may fear the detox process. While difficult, successful detoxing from crack cocaine is more manageable if you know what to expect. The following article will outline what you can expect when you detox from crack cocaine.
Crack Withdrawal Symptoms: A Timeline
When you quit using crack cocaine, you will experience crack withdrawal symptoms within a short period of time. Within 24 to 72 hours, you may experience intense psychological withdrawal symptoms from crack addiction such as tactile and audio hallucinations. With these types of hallucinations, you may feel the sensation of bugs crawling on you or hear sirens or other noises that aren’t in your environment.
How Long Does it Take to Detox from Crack?
After this intense initial period of crack cocaine detox and within the first week, you will start to feel physically and psychologically stable. It is during this period of detoxification that you may feel like you are cured of your addiction. While you may feel less fatigued and healthier, you are not out of danger. Cravings persist and grow more intense. During this period, you may feel emotional symptoms such as the following:
- Apathy
- Increased irritability
- Disorientation
- hunger
- Extended periods of sleep
Some longer-lasting symptoms associated with crack withdrawal include:
- Depression
- Agitation or shaking
- Cravings for crack
- Difficulty sleeping
- Lack of motivation
- Anger or emotional outbursts
- An inability to feel pleasure
Crack withdrawal begins anywhere from 30 minutes to 72 hours after the last use of the substance. Although there’s no exact timeframe for how long it takes to detox from crack, a standard timeline may look like this:
- 24 to 72 hours: You may feel irritable, paranoid, and have body aches. You might also experience anxiety, insomnia, severe fatigue, and have hallucinations. You may also have intense cravings as your body starts metabolizing any crack in your body.
- Week 1: During the first week of detoxification, you may notice that your energy is low, and you feel unmotivated. You might also have trouble sleeping, making you irritable and extremely tired.
- Week 2: In the second week of crack withdrawal, you may experience increased hunger as well as a lingering sense of depression. During this period of crack cocaine detox, the brain starts producing more dopamine on its own. While an encouraging sign, you will still feel lingering cravings to use the drug.
- Weeks 3 and 4: Your overall mood should improve. You might also have increased energy levels which can help you stay motivated as you move toward addiction treatment. But you should also expect to experience occasional cravings for crack, which can cause some anxiety or depression.
- More than four weeks: At this point, most people detoxing from crack have an occasional craving for the substance but start to feel better.
The Importance of Crack Withdrawal Symptom Treatment
When you are considering getting clean and sober from this potent drug, it is important to detox from crack under the strict supervision of experienced treatment personnel. You may feel that you can detox from crack on your own. While it is an appealing option, self-detox or beginning your crack cocaine detox by just quitting will do more harm than good.
While not particularly life-threatening on their own, the withdrawal symptoms associated with crack can be dangerous if you are addicted to other drugs. Additionally, underlying medical conditions can also compound your withdrawal symptoms. To safely detox from crack, undergoing intensive treatment is the best and safest option.
What to Expect from Drug Treatment for Crack Cocaine
When you enter drug rehab for crack cocaine, you will first start with the detoxification process. When you detox from crack, experienced treatment professionals will utilize medications, nutrition, and other interventions. The detox stage is critical in helping you become physically and psychologically stable.
Is Crack Physically or Psychologically Addictive?
Crack cocaine has several psychological effects. When you are detoxing from crack cocaine, you will undergo a comprehensive evaluation to detect a co-occurring mental disorder. Known as dual diagnosis, this phenomenon can provide additional obstacles in your recovery. Oftentimes, a mental illness such as depression and anxiety is a root cause of substance abuse. Once you are stable, you are ready to enter intensive drug treatment.
Crack Withdrawal Treatment
During drug treatment, you will undergo individual and group therapy, 12-step support, life skills training, and other programs. During this phase, the main goal is to allow you the time to deal with the underlying causes of your crack cocaine addiction. With the support of staff and your peers, you will receive the tools needed to build a recovery-centered lifestyle.
Once you have completed drug treatment, your recovery journey is not over. Crack withdrawal symptoms don’t suddenly cease. To help you better transition from treatment to your normal life, it is highly recommended that you take part in an aftercare program. Aftercare programs include intensive outpatient treatment, sober living, and alumni programs.
Aftercare programs focus on relapse prevention and allow you to put into practice the coping skills learned in drug treatment. While these programs allow you to meet your work and family obligations, you will have the continued support of treatment staff and peers. Aftercare programs allow you to strengthen your support network.
Looking for A Crack Cocaine Detox and Treatment Program to Help with Addiction and Withdrawal?
The effects of crack cocaine addiction are devastating to the addict and their loved ones. If you are struggling with an addiction to crack, and you need immediate professional help with crack cocaine withdrawal symptoms. With a phone call to Bridges of Hope, you can begin your road to recovery.
Beat Crack Withdrawal Symptoms with Help
We offer treatment programs for crack that are effective and proven to work. We will work closely with you to find the right combination of programs and services that will help you get and stay sober. You don’t have to suffer from crack addiction any longer; call B-Hope today.