A cocaine hangover, also known as a cocaine comedown, refers to the negative physical and mental effects that come as the body adjusts to a total lack of drugs. Cocaine hangover encompasses a range of physical, emotional, and mental symptoms that occur after one has stopped using cocaine and the body attempts to cleanse itself from the drug. It’s called a “comedown” because the person falls from the drug-induced high.
Cocaine is a powerful drug that causes a short-lived, euphoric high, followed by a strong crash. The discomfort of the crash will prompt the individual to continue using the drug, which will inevitably lead to addiction. Once a person decides he wants to quit using, he’ll experience a strong ‘comedown.’
How Long Does a Cocaine Hangover Last?
The duration of a cocaine hangover will depend on the individual; some people will be back to normal in just a few hours, while others might be impacted for a day. Generally, it can last anywhere between a couple of hours and several days. Using cocaine together with other drugs, e.g., alcohol, can impact the duration of the hangover.
Cocaine Comedown
The symptoms of a cocaine comedown are similar to those of a cocaine withdrawal; however, the experiences are quite different.
Cocaine comedown is the first stage of withdrawal after binging on cocaine. People tend to binge on cocaine at parties or other social events, since the drug leaves the user with a sense of increased confidence and extra energy. When someone binges on cocaine, the brain’s dopamine levels spike tremendously and then wear off, leading to a crash. This comedown can last anywhere between a few hours and three days.
In contrast, cocaine withdrawal occurs when a person’s body becomes physically dependent on the drug; the body relies on it just to feel normal. After the person quits taking the drug, withdrawal symptoms come on as the body struggles to regain its equilibrium. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can last up to two weeks. Hangover symptoms resolve quickly, whereas withdrawal symptoms can persist for a longer time.
Cocaine Comedown Symptoms
Coming off of cocaine unassisted is dangerous and painful, due to the intense withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine use increases levels of dopamine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter known as the ‘feel-good hormone.’ Once the cocaine wears off, the brain has to recover from the decreased dopamine activity. This takes time, and until the brain starts to recover its balance and release regular amounts of dopamine into the body, the lack of dopamine causes distressing comedown symptoms. These symptoms usually start to take effect a few hours after the last dose of cocaine.
The most well-known symptom of cocaine comedown is ‘Cocaine crash.’ This refers to the extreme exhaustion the body experiences whilst it recovers from the excessive energy cocaine has caused.
Other common physical cocaine comedown symptoms are:
- Headaches
- Slowed movements
- Runny nose, nosebleeds and/or sore nose (from snorting cocaine)- cocaine shrinks the blood vessels. When the drug wears off, the vessels open wider than its original state. This leads to congestion and flu-like
- Increased appetite- cocaine reduces the appetite, so people who are high on cocaine can go on without food for hours. Once the effects wear off, the appetite returns with full force.
- Redness of the eyes
- Sore jaw (as cocaine can cause uncontrollable movement of the jaw and teeth grinding)
Common physiological cocaine comedown symptoms include:
- Depression- due to decreased dopamine activity
- Suicidal thoughts
- Paranoia
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Cravings for cocaine
- Trouble with concentration-foggy thinking
- Agitation
- Disturbed sleep/nightmare
How To Come Down From Cocaine
Here are some strategies one could employ to help manage the comedown symptoms and ease the suffering. Please note that these will not cure the hangover- just relieve the symptoms.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking lots of water will speed up the metabolism and thus help with the recovery process. The organs will also benefit from the extra water and be able to function normally.
- Rest: Get as much sleep as you can; at least 8 hours a night. Sleeping or resting is crucial during recovery, so try to create for yourself a calm and soothing environment and lye down. If sleep eludes you, listen to relaxing music or do restful activities, like taking a bath or meditating.
- Eat: Eat healthy and nutritious meals, which include fruit, vegetables and whole grain, regularly to enable your body to recover properly and to prevent the symptoms of severe hunger. Also, try to avoid caffeine to further help ease the symptoms.
- Avoid temptation: Stay off drugs and alcohol to keep your body free of toxins. Craving the drug in order to bring you again that high feeling is one of the signs of a cocaine comedown. Resist the temptation by reminding yourself that the comedown is temporary and the symptoms will pass very soon.
- Distract yourself from the symptoms: Reading a book, listening to music, shopping, or hanging out with friends will pass time and help you get through the symptoms more easily.
- Use techniques to cope with anxiety and stress: Attending a yoga class, meditating, learning breathing exercises or practicing mindfulness can help with anxiety and stress. Taking part in creative activities, such as singing, drawing, gardening or baking can help further reduce stress.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment Programs at Avenues
Seeking medical attention should be the first step towards getting cocaine out of the system as it will increase the likelihood of a successful recovery and prevent health risks that prop up when quitting cocaine addiction alone. Here are some of the modalities we employ to help overcome cocaine addiction:
- Detoxification
- Medication management
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- CBT therapy
- Family counseling therapy
If you or a loved one suffer from cocaine addiction, don’t hesitate. Reach out to Avenues Recovery today and find yourself embraced in warm, competent and caring hands. We have helped thousands of individuals overcome their addictions, and we can help you too. Our skilled staff will do all it takes to ensure you receive the quality, personalized care that will enable you to attain your dreams. Contact us today to take your first step towards a rewarding, substance-free life, and a healthier and more contented you!