How Hard Is It to Quit Cocaine?

Cocaine is a notoriously addictive drug, and for good reason: This stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant disrupts our brain’s normal communication processes and can lead to long-term brain changes that leave people hooked on the substance. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the dopamine system of our brains, which causes feelings of pleasure and reward after eating, having sex, and some drugs or substances, is stimulated by cocaine. This same area of the brain regulates our emotions and motivations, and because repeated cocaine use can cause long-term changes to how we process and feel rewards and respond to stress, it can be quite hard to quit cocaine. If you’re wondering how to quit cocaine, you’re not alone. Remember that help is available, especially at top drug addiction rehab facilities like Muse Treatment. We can treat addictions and mental health disorders, including cocaine addiction, with compassionate, professional care and support.

Click here to call Muse Addiction Center today. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide answers and begin the admissions process. Call (800) 426-1818.

How Addictive is Cocaine?

When thinking about how to quit cocaine, it’s a good idea to understand exactly why it’s so addictive. A 2005 journal article in Addiction Science & Clinical Practice examined the neurobiology of cocaine addiction, or how the brain and nervous system are involved in this particular substance use disorder. Cocaine primarily works by affecting the limbic system, which regulates pleasure and motivation. In the short term, cocaine use leads to a buildup of dopamine, which makes users feel euphoric and want to use more cocaine.

In the longer term, however, repeated use also changes genetic transcription factors that have been shown to correlate with addictive behaviors in mice and could lead to long-term changes to the structure of our nerve cells. Ultimately, this points to how long-term abuse of cocaine can fundamentally change how parts of our brain work — and the consequences can include extreme difficulty in successfully quitting cocaine.

ways to quit cocaine

What Are the Signs of Cocaine Addiction?

Recent data suggests about half a million Americans 12 or older are addicted to cocaine, according to Healthline. But what are the signs of cocaine addiction? Here are some general things to watch for that could point to a friend or loved one using cocaine:

Mood changes.
Being overly excited, talkative, or confident.
Unexplained and occasionally drastic weight loss or eating habit changes.
Isolating from friends or family members.
Insomnia or nightmares.
Not keeping up with personal hygiene or personal relationships.
Chronic nosebleeds or runny nose.
Struggling at work or school.
White powder near the mouth or nose, or burn marks on their lips or hands.
Dilated pupils.
Sudden struggles with finances.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?

While the actual euphoric effects of cocaine are quite brief — lasting maybe 5 to 30 minutes, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse — it can remain detectable with medical testing for a much longer period of time. So, how long does cocaine stay in your system? According to the Priory Group, a UK-based provider of mental and social healthcare, cocaine is broken down in the body into metabolites, which can be detectable with tests for various amounts of time.

Blood or saliva: Up to two days (48 hours).
Urine: Up to four days.
Hair follicles: As long as 90 days.

The detection time can vary based on how much cocaine someone has taken, as well as how frequently they use cocaine, the method of use, and their weight and metabolism.

Click here to call Muse Addiction Center today. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide answers and begin the admissions process. Call (800) 426-1818.

Where Can I Get Help for Cocaine Addiction?

If you’re wondering how to quit cocaine, you know by now that this substance can be quite addictive — but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to overcome cravings and dependence on this addictive stimulant. Finding a premier drug addiction rehab like Muse Treatment is the best way to get the support, therapy, and treatment you need to leave cocaine in your past and look forward to a better future free from addiction.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse says cocaine addiction treatment typically relies on cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps patients learn new, more positive thought and behavior patterns to handle challenges and stress better in the future. Contingency management, a specialized form of behavioral therapy, has also been shown to help. In this therapy, patients are offered rewards in the form of vouchers or prizes if they don’t use cocaine or other drugs. Sober living facilities and comprehensive aftercare programs have also been shown to benefit people as they adjust to life in recovery after cocaine addiction.

Muse Treatment Can Help You Learn How to Quit Cocaine

If you’re still thinking about how to quit cocaine, it’s best to get help — you don’t have to do it alone. Muse Treatment’s Los Angeles drug rehab center provides a safe, comfortable sanctuary for people like you to focus on therapy and treatment away from the temptations of drugs like cocaine. Together, we’ll work with you to stop using cocaine and find the support and strength you need to remain in recovery long after you leave our rehab program. Call us today at 951-708-7904 to verify your insurance coverage and start on the journey to a happier, healthier future.