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ToggleIt’s no secret that more and more US teens are using cocaine regularly. In fact, recent surveys show that 5% of adolescents between 12 and 17 years old admit that they have taken cocaine in any of its forms at least once in 2023. Cocaine isn’t just an addictive substance. It may cause certain health complications, including respiratory challenges and heart disease, and could lead to death.
Are you trying to help your teen quit cocaine? At Key Healthcare, we understand how difficult quitting cocaine can be for teens, especially because of the withdrawal effects they have to deal with. Many times, substance abuse withdrawal could cause unbearable symptoms and increase cravings for the drug.
In this article, we will break down what happens during teen withdrawal from cocaine and share practical steps you can use to help during teen substance abuse treatment.
Understanding Cocaine Withdrawal
Causes and Triggers of Cocaine Withdrawal
Cocaine withdrawal is a complex process that is influenced by many physical and psychological factors when the teen stops using cocaine. That is why the effects of its withdrawal are different among teens. Some of the triggers of cocaine withdrawal include:
- The chemical balance of the teen’s brain (we’ll cover more about the science behind withdrawal later in the blog)
- How long the teen has been using the drug
- The level of dependence
- Any pre-existing mental health issues
- The teen’s immediate environment
Common Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal
The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal range from bearable to extremely severe ones. Here are a few you should keep an eye out for:
- Fatigue and malaise
- Increased appetite
- Skin crawling or itching
- Increased cravings for cocaine
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Reckless behavior
- Depressed mood
- Vivid nightmares and hallucinations
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts
These symptoms can start even as fast as a few hours after your teen last took cocaine and last anywhere between a few days to 2 months.
The Science Behind Cocaine Withdrawal
Neurochemistry of Cocaine Withdrawal in Teens
For you to understand the neurochemistry of cocaine withdrawal, you first need to know how cocaine causes its stimulating effects. Essentially, the appeal of cocaine lies in how it manipulates the brain’s dopaminergic reward system to increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. This causes a sense of euphoria or excitement.
Another thing that happens when a teen uses cocaine for a long time is that the drug alters the brain’s natural reward mechanisms. This means that the natural things that the teen used to enjoy no longer have the same effect on dopamine levels. Thus, the brain gets used to artificial stimulation from cocaine and can no longer react to normal stimuli.
Once the teen stops using cocaine, the level of dopamine in the brain reduces. Subsequently, the teen starts feeling a lack of pleasure and enhanced feelings of weakness. The brain then releases stress hormones, which cause enhanced feelings of restlessness. These result in the symptoms we associate with cocaine withdrawal.
Teen Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline
Cocaine withdrawal happens in the following three main stages, starting from when the teen immediately stops using the drug:
- Early Withdrawal Stage (0-72 hours): Cocaine has a very short half-life, so the body uses it up within hours of being consumed. That means your teen is likely to experience the effects of not having the drug within hours. The first 72 hours come with acute cravings, tremors, and restlessness. For many teens, overcoming the first few hours is an unbearable hurdle.
- Acute Withdrawal Stage (3-10 days): After three days, the teen is likely to start experiencing intense mood swings. This comes with irritability, feelings of depression, and anxiety.
- Post-Acute Withdrawal Stage (Weeks to Months): Your teen should start feeling better after a few days, but the cravings can easily pop up with no warning. While the symptoms of withdrawal often dissipate at this point, the exact timeline varies depending on how long the teen has been using cocaine. You should closely monitor your teen during this time.
Treatment Options and Coping with Cocaine Withdrawal
Dealing with the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can be an intense challenge for many teens. That is why you need all the assistance you can get to help your teen during these trying times.
Teen Addiction Treatment Available in CA
One of the options you should explore when helping your teen with their withdrawal is providing them with treatment. At Key Healthcare, we can provide an individualized teen cocaine treatment plan to ensure that they enjoy long-term recovery. Some of the options you can access from our cocaine withdrawal treatment facilities in CA include:
- Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Our teen outpatient program is an intense treatment regimen that takes place 9 hours per week over the course of 4-12 weeks. During these sessions, your teen will participate in different sets of activities that will help them cope with their withdrawal symptoms.
- Partial Hospitalization Treatment: At times, we might recommend a teen partial hospitalization program where we stay with your teen for 8 hours a day, five days a week, for 3 to 4 weeks. The teen will receive individualized therapy sessions during this time to help with their condition.
- Residential Treatment: Sometimes, your teen might need round-the-clock support to help them overcome their cocaine withdrawal faster. In such cases, we recommend enrolling your teen in our residential treatment program in Malibu, California. The program goes for 45 to 60 days and provides your teen with the 24/7 care and support they need to deal with cocaine withdrawal.
Types of Therapy Used
Therapy has high success rates when it comes to handling teen cocaine withdrawal. At Key Healthcare, we offer the following types of therapy:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for teens is a common therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and modifying maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors that can trigger cocaine cravings and the likelihood of relapse. Teens learn numerous skills that can help them cope with cocaine withdrawal and develop healthier habits during CBT sessions.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT for teens is a unique form of therapy that recognizes the intensity of change. During ACT sessions, teens get a chance to accept their challenges of withdrawal in an empathetic environment while focusing on their motivations for quitting the drug. This helps to strengthen the teen’s commitment to recovery.
- Individual Counseling: Individual counseling sessions for teens allow therapists to have one-on-one conversations about their recovery process with your teen. This allows the therapist to work alongside the teen to develop efficient coping mechanisms in a non-confrontational environment.
- Group Therapy: Teen Group therapy involves teens who have similar struggles with cocaine withdrawal to share their challenges and learn how to overcome the condition together. These sessions are great in helping the teen feel less isolated while reinforcing a sense of community during the recovery process.
Self-Help Strategies
Teens can also benefit from the following self-help strategies to enjoy holistic healing during their recovery process:
- Breathing exercises
- Yoga
- Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
- Exercise and nutrition
These strategies can help your teen develop resilience and overcome the psychological symptoms of cocaine withdrawal.
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders Among Adolescents
At times, cocaine addiction and withdrawal issues may occur alongside some mental health problems. This might happen for any of the following three reasons:
- Your teen may start using cocaine as a way of dealing with their mental health challenges.
- Your teen can start using cocaine, which may lead to or intensify existing mental health issues.
- The underlying cause of your teen’s existing mental health issues may also trigger substance abuse and addiction.
We refer to this as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. At Key Healthcare, we understand the interrelation between mental health challenges and cocaine withdrawal issues. That is why our different treatment programs offer practical advice for dealing with these two conditions together.
The Importance of Seeking Professional Help for Teen Cocaine Addiction
Teen cocaine addiction and withdrawal is a disease affecting many adolescents in the US. Just like with any other kind of disease, professional help is central to helping the teen get better. Here are some of the reasons why you should seek professional help to help your teen overcome their cocaine addiction:
- Professional help guarantees a comprehensive and personalized care program that can address your teen’s unique needs during the recovery process.
- Signing your teen up for professional help allows you to leverage the expertise and resources of your therapist, which increases the chances of recovery.
- Professional guidance for addiction recovery provides a supportive environment that can help your teen as they deal with their cocaine addiction.
How Family and Friends Can Help for Faster Recovery
Supporting a loved one and family involvement in teen addiction recovery is important in helping them get better faster. As friends and family, you can provide your teen with a strong system as they deal with cocaine withdrawal by:
- Encouraging open and empathetic communication about the recovery process.
- Being patient and understanding of the teen’s symptoms as they recover.
- Encouraging healthy habits.
- Attending therapy sessions with the teen whenever possible.
Home-Based Withdrawal Tips
We always recommend taking your teen to a professional when helping them recover from cocaine withdrawal. However, if you opt for home-based withdrawal, the following DIY drug detox techniques might help your teen detox at home safely:
- Discourage your teen from interacting with friends who use drugs.
- Help your teen by being there for them physically during the tough times. It is important to always have someone with the teen, especially in the first few weeks of withdrawal.
- Encourage the teen to enjoy healthy habits such as eating well and exercising.
- Always keep the teen busy and engaged. Watching movies, reading books, and playing video games can be a good place to start.
Staying Clean and Avoiding Relapse
Staying clean after treatment is as important as going for cocaine withdrawal treatment. As a parent or family member, you have an important role to play in ensuring your teen’s lifelong commitment to recovery. You can help your teen to stay sober by:
- Keeping your teen from high-risk situations that might trigger a relapse.
- Having a specific plan that can help your teen manage their cravings whenever they arise (journaling, exercising, or talking it out can help).
- Helping your teen to practice regular and consistent self-care.
- Helping your teen avoid friends that may help them sink back into old habits.
Remember, the only way your teen can recover from addiction is by taking one day at a time. However, if they relapse, it is important to help your teen get back on the wagon by teaching them to forgive themselves and start again. There’s no need for them to beat themselves up and lose hope.
Support Systems and Resources
Having the right support systems and resources is crucial for teens as they navigate their lives after cocaine withdrawal. Other than supportive friends and family members, your teen can benefit from:
- Online Cocaine Withdrawal Support services
- 12-steps programs
- Regular check-ins with their therapist
Conclusion
Cocaine withdrawal can be a tough experience for many teens. However, with the right kind of support and treatment, your teen can recover from their withdrawal and kick cocaine use for good. At Key Healthcare, we offer the best-individualized care and support to help your teen understand their withdrawal symptoms and cope with them effectively.
Sign your teen up for our services and watch your teen improve. If you have any questions about any of our teen cocaine withdrawal programs, please don’t hesitate to reach us at (800) 421-4364. You can also schedule an appointment through our online portal today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The early signs of teen cocaine withdrawal you should keep an eye out for include:
- Restlessness
- Feelings of anxiety and depression
- Vivid dreams and nightmares
- Fatigue
- Crawling and itchy skin
Cocaine withdrawal can be challenging. That is why it is generally recommended that individuals seek professional help and support when trying to overcome it. While some teens may attempt to go through withdrawal on their own, it’s crucial to understand the potential risks and complications associated with self-managing withdrawal from cocaine.
The timeline for teens to detox from cocaine completely differs among different teens. The process can take even up to several months for habitual cocaine users. The best way to effectively detox from cocaine is to take a day at a time while following all the instructions that your therapist gives.
Yes, there are many medications and therapies that can help teens with cocaine withdrawal. These include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Individual Therapy
While medication can also help your teen in their recovery process, only use medicine under the supervision and prescription of a licensed professional.
The best treatment center for cocaine withdrawal in CA is Key Healthcare. At Key Healthcare, we offer both in-patient and outpatient treatment programs, all of which can help your teen navigate their withdrawal issues effectively.