5 Commonly Overlooked Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are treatable and manageable.

The extreme euphoria that is produced when cocaine is regularly used can quickly wear off leaving the user to feel sad, depressed and unable to feel happy. Cocaine causes the brain to release serotonin which elevates the mood. Unfortunately, the continued release of serotonin that results from successive cocaine abuse can lead to an inability for the brain to release serotonin when the drugs are not used. This chemical imbalance can lead to many symptoms of cocaine withdrawal when the user quits taking cocaine or cuts back the normal usage dramatically.

Many of the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal are commonly overlooked. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, paranoia, cravings, and irritability can all make it difficult for the user to remain sober. Often times, people who abuse cocaine don’t even realize that they are showing signs of cocaine addiction and withdrawal despite the fact that others realize that there is a problem.

Mood Swings

The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal often include mood swings that make it difficult for others to be involved with the recovering addict. These mood swings can cause an individual to show signs of being bi-polar or having extreme euphoria followed by periods of extreme depression or sadness. Mood swings can also include irritability and a dysphoric mood. The euphoric state that the user felt when using the drugs will quickly turn to depression when the user is not taking cocaine.

Tiredness

Fatigue is another one of the more commonly overlooked symptoms of cocaine withdrawal. People who abuse cocaine are in a whirlwind of potential pain and suffering when it comes to fatigue. This is because not only will the user feel tired as a result of long binges of staying up late and using cocaine, the wearing off of the drug will also cause feelings of fatigue. Being tired is a normal but often overlooked symptom of cocaine withdrawal that is usually felt long before the individual even realizes that there is a problem.

Insomnia

People who abuse cocaine are likely to experience a number of sleeping problems with insomnia being high up on the list. Insomnia is often the result of the very common cocaine withdrawal symptoms associated with having very vivid nightmares. The nightmares that some users will have during the early stages of cocaine withdrawal will often keep them awake and unable to sleep due to fear.

Weight Gain

While it won’t happen overnight, cocaine withdrawal can lead to an increase in appetite that could also lead to weight gain. For many people in recovery from cocaine addiction, weight gain is an invited side effect as the use of cocaine is often to blame for excessive weight loss and malnutrition. Gaining weight as a result of cocaine withdrawal is also likely because people who stop using cocaine often turn to sugary snacks to help curb cravings.

Slowed Physical Activity

Just like an individual who is going through cocaine withdrawal will often gain weight, he or she may also show symptoms of cocaine withdrawal that include slowed physical activity. The slowing down is a result of not having the cocaine as a stimulant to encourage activity the way that it did when cocaine addiction was a factor in the individual’s life.

Recognizing these commonly overlooked symptoms of cocaine withdrawal can help you to find the right type of treatment for what ails you during recovery. It’s important to keep in mind that these symptoms, though difficult to deal with, will not stick around forever. There is help available and you can make a full recovery from addiction if you are committed and you try.