In addition to other common symptoms, addicted users of powdered cocaine and crack can develop symptoms of cocaine withdrawal if the brain’s established requirements for the drug go unsatisfied. Typical withdrawal indicators include things such as:
- A general sense of unease
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
- A depressed mental state
- A sharp decline in energy levels
- Mental agitation
- Restlessness
- Extreme paranoia
- Intense drug cravings
In people who have used the drug heavily for months or years, depression and intense cocaine cravings can linger long after active intake has ended. In addition, some individuals withdrawing from cocaine may experience suicidal ideation.
In cocaine rehab, cocaine withdrawal can be closely monitored during a period of medical detoxification, or detox. This medical oversight helps prevent any serious complications in people going through the withdrawal process. It also helps prevent a relapse back into cocaine use and any attempts to substitute other addictive substances for the drug.