Withdrawal symptoms related to crack addiction can be severe, so attending a medically supervised detox program is recommended when ending crack use.
Article at a Glance:
- Crack withdrawal can be very difficult, which is why medical detox programs are recommended for people who want to quit the drug.
- Symptoms of crack withdrawal include agitation, irritability, depression, increased sleeping, increased appetite and muscle aches.
- Crack withdrawal symptoms usually occur within 24 hours of taking the last dose.
- Therapy and counseling can promote long-term crack addiction recovery after detox.
What Is Crack Withdrawal?
Detox is the body’s process of ridding itself of toxic substances, including drugs like crack. If a person is struggling with crack addiction, their body has become dependent on the drug. This causes people to feel ill if they go a certain amount of time without taking the drug. This ill feeling is called withdrawal, and its symptoms occur because the body is adjusting to the sudden absence of the drug it depends on.
Crack withdrawal symptoms can begin within 24 hours of the last dose and continue for up to five days. These symptoms can vary from person to person, but they are often uncomfortable and can prevent people from quitting the drug. This is why it’s important to attend a credible rehab center that includes a medical detox program. Patients in medical detox are monitored by doctors around the clock and receive treatment for any uncomfortable or dangerous withdrawal symptoms that may arise.
A lack of professional care can lead to a relapse of crack use. When this happens, a person is more likely to overdose because their body is no longer used to the drug or the amount they took before detox.
Due to the time-sensitive nature of withdrawal, it’s important to find help as soon as the problem arises. That is the first step toward a healthy and safe recovery from crack.
How Long Does Crack Withdrawal Last?
Crack withdrawal symptoms often begin within 24 hours of taking the last dose. Acute symptoms typically last for up to five days, but the types of symptoms and the times they appear may vary from person to person.
Crack Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms
Some people undergoing crack withdrawal will experience severe effects, while others may not experience as many symptoms. Much of this depends on how much a person was taking and how often they were taking it. Other factors include personal medical history, body weight and height, age and family drug history.
Crack withdrawal symptoms are not limited to just physical effects, as psychological or behavioral effects can also occur. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Depression
- Increased sleeping
- Increased appetite
- Muscle aches
FAQs
Some people choose to stop smoking crack without any medications and without tapering. While this can be dangerous, it is possible. People can experience severe withdrawal symptoms even with medical supervision, but nurses and doctors can monitor how the body reacts and treat symptoms as they occur. When people attempt the cold turkey strategy at home or without medical assistance, it can be dangerous if complications arise. For example, the depression that occurs during withdrawal could lead a person to attempt self-harm.
To ensure the safest detox environment possible, it’s recommended to undergo this stage of rehab in a hospital or similar medical facility. The Recovery Village has locations throughout the country with trained staff available to assist clients through the detox process. While The Recovery Village may have a treatment center in your area, there are many resources available in every state.
Crack addiction is a serious illness, and attempting to tackle it without medical assistance can be dangerous. Due to crack’s effects on the body and mind, as well as the severe withdrawal symptoms that can occur when quitting the drug, it is very difficult to forgo treatment.
At The Recovery Village, we work to help clients uncover the roots of their crack addiction. Clients stay at one of the inpatient rehabilitation facilities where they participate in therapy and learn to cope with addiction and co-occurring disorders in a positive environment. Additionally, clients receive essential support from nurses, doctors, therapists and peers.
Managing Withdrawal Symptoms
Detox at a specialized medical facility allows patients to benefit from the 24/7 supervision that is available. This type of personal attention can help mitigate withdrawal symptoms and create the most comfortable detox experience possible.
During detox, clients may receive medications from doctors to lessen the effects of the withdrawal symptoms. Although there is no FDA-approved medication for crack withdrawal, some medications used off-label for crack addiction and withdrawal include:
- Baclofen: Muscle relaxer that can reduce cravings
- Nifedipine: Blood pressure medication that can reduce cravings
- Tiagabine: Anticonvulsant that has shown positive results in long-term recovery from cocaine and opiate addiction
- Disulfiram: Alcohol addiction treatment that blocks the high from taking cocaine
Detox and Rehabilitation Process
Detox is the first step of treatment and can begin when a client arrives at The Recovery Village. During detox, an expert team of nurses provides constant care, and the client receives regular visits from their doctor to ensure withdrawal symptoms are not dangerous to their health. For example, dehydration is one of the risks during this stage. The body uses any means necessary — including diarrhea, vomiting and excessive sweating — to expel substances from the body. This can leave a person dehydrated and lacking nutrients.
Once detox is complete, therapy can begin. Counseling and therapy are the primary components of crack addiction treatment at The Recovery Village. Each treatment plan is customized to meet the client’s individual needs, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to drug rehabilitation. The length of rehab varies for each client, but research shows that a longer stay usually offers the most benefits.
As treatment continues, The Recovery Village’s medical team helps develop an aftercare plan so that the client is set up for success in post-rehab life. Aftercare planning is a significant step in preventing the future use of crack and other drugs. In many cases, aftercare plans include follow-up appointments with doctors and therapists, as well as information on 12-step programs that are available close to the client’s home.
How To Stop Smoking Crack
There are two common ways to stop smoking crack: tapering and quitting cold turkey. Tapering involves decreasing the dosage slowly while quitting cold turkey involves stopping all drug intake at once — usually without any medications to help manage withdrawal symptoms.
Medical professionals advise against the cold turkey detox method, particularly at home. When someone abruptly stops using crack, withdrawal can begin rapidly and be more severe. This can create a life-threatening situation for some people. It can also lead to an overdose if someone returns to a high dosage of crack after not taking it for a period of time.
Seeking professional assistance to taper off of crack can lead to a safer foundation for recovery.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a crack addiction, The Recovery Village is here to help. We provide a full continuum of care that addresses addiction as well as underlying mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Contact us today to learn more about treatment options that can work well for your situation.
World Health Organization. “Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Manag[…]e in Closed Settings.” 2009. Accessed October 31, 2021.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “How is cocaine addiction treated?” May 2016. Accessed October 31, 2021.
Kosten, Thomas R. “Pathophysiology and Treatment of Cocaine Dependence.” Neuropsychopharmacology, 2002. Accessed October 31, 2021.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.