800-671-4304How to Quit Cocaine: Benefits, Timeline and Cocaine Detox Treatments
Published: 08/26/2025
Cocaine is a highly addictive substance that negatively impacts your physical, mental and emotional health as well as your interpersonal relationships. Quitting cocaine is possible and doing so will greatly improve all aspects of your life. Keep reading to lean how to detox
It’s OK to ask for help! Call now to start your detox.
SponsoredQuitting Cocaine Can Save Your Life
Figuring out how to quit cocaine can feel like an overwhelming task but cocaine addiction help is available and effective. It is possible to overcome cocaine addiction and there are many benefits to your health, relationships, and mood.
Cocaine is considered one of the most addictive substances due to its powerful effects on the brain. This drug interacts with the reward system of your brain, releasing feel good chemicals like dopamine every time you use the drug.
The overdose risk when using cocaine is extremely high. From 2019 to 2023, cocaine-involved deaths rose 85%. The risk is even higher when the drug is mixed with fentanyl.
The timeline for recovery varies from person to person but you can expect full recovery to take 6-12 months. Treatment includes rehabilitation. A team of professionals will create a personalized treatment plan for you once you’ve been assessed.
Can you overcome cocaine addiction without rehab? It’s possible, but your chances of recovery are significantly higher if you enter a treatment program and commit to seeing it through to the end.
11 Quick Benefits of Quitting Cocaine
There are many benefits to quitting cocaine but here are some of the perks to look forward to.
1. Feel Better in Just One Week
Quitting cocaine can actually make you feel better within just one week. Once you overcome any withdrawal symptoms, you will experience improved sleep, increased appetite and a better mood. If you’re unsure how to stop using cocaine, speak to a professional about starting your recovery journey today.
2. Clear Up Skin and Heal Your Body
Cocaine use has negative effects on your skin. Regular use of cocaine reduces blood flow and oxygen to the skin, which makes skin infections and other issues harder to heal.
Cocaine also causes hallucinations referred to as “coke bugs.” Many users experience the feeling that bugs are crawling on their skin, causing them to scratch and damage their skin. Quitting the drug can clear up these negative physical effects of cocaine.
It’s never too soon to get clean. Call now.
Sponsored3. Protect Your Brain from Long-Term Damage
Long term side effects of cocaine can be serious.
Cocaine destroys gray matter brain cellsand accelerates brain aging. Prolonged use of the drug can produce brain damage, so coming off cocaine protects you against this risk.
4. Balance Your Mood Naturally
Regular use of cocaine can negatively impact your mood. Users often report feeling depressed, anxious, or paranoid. Learning how to quit cocaine will involve cocaine withdrawal treatment to stabilize your mood.
5. Rebuild Relationships
Cocaine addiction often causes relational issues and stress.
It can be difficult for a loved one to watch the negative effects that cocaine use has on their friend or family member. If you want to quit and rebuild relationships but aren’t sure how to stop doing coke, visit Detox.com to find a treatment provider in your area.
6. Save Thousands of Dollars
It may seem obvious, but getting off cocaine will save you money.
Cocaine is expensive, and oftentimes users are spending more money than they have due to their addiction and inability to stop using cocaine. Seeking treatment can help you overcome your addiction and allow you to stop spending money on the drug.
7. Avoid Arrest and Jail Time
Using cocaine carries legal risks, including arrest and potential jail time. If you quit cocaine, you don’t have to worry about the consequences of illegal behavior.
8. Think Clearly Again
Quitting cocaine allows your brain to return to its normal state. Drugs alter your state of mind and do not allow your brain to function properly. You can think clearly again by learning how to quit doing cocaine and entering treatment today.
9. Become More Hirable
One of the significant benefits of quitting drugs is its impact on your career.
It can be very difficult to get and keep employment when you are addicted to cocaine. Quitting coke increases your chances of making a good impression on an employer and proving yourself reliable and trustworthy.
10. Regain Your Energy and Passion
Life after quitting cocaine includes more energy and passion to achieve your goals.
Cocaine addiction holds you back from accomplishing what you want in life. Talk to a professional today to find out how to stop cocaine addiction.
11. Enjoy Life Without Drugs
Once you quit cocaine, you can fully enjoy the benefits of being drug-free. The benefits of abstaining from drugs allow you freedom from anxiety and worry about your health and relationships.
Start your recovery today by finding a cocaine detox near you.
Cocaine Recovery Timeline: What to Expect
Coming off of cocaine can produce some cocaine detox symptoms, but with treatment, you can find relief from these symptoms as you begin your recovery process.
The timeline of cocaine recovery will look different for each person but you can expect the following:
- 1–3 Days: Fatigue, cravings and low mood
- 1 Week: Improvements in sleep and appetite
- 2 Weeks: Mood may begin to improve
- 1 Month: Increased energy and motivation
- 3+ Months: Brain begins dopamine reset, which allows you to experience better mood regulation
- 6–12 Months: Full emotional stability often begins
How to Quit Cocaine Safely, Step by Step
It is important to seek professional help with quitting cocaine. Here are the best steps to follow.
- Start with Medical Detox
Medical support matters when detoxing from cocaine. When you suddenly stop using cocaine, you will likely experience some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Cocaine detox can pose some health risks, especially if you are using other drugs like fentanyl alongside cocaine. This is why cocaine withdrawal treatment includes medical detox treatment, which can be inpatient detox or outpatient detox. - Choose a Therapy That Works for You
Therapy is a necessary part of the recovery process. Therapy for cocaine addiction varies from program to program but the most popular approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for cocaine addiction, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and contingency management(CM).
- Talk to a Doctor about Withdrawal Symptoms
Medications can be a great way to receive medical support for withdrawal symptoms as well as treat any other co-occurring conditions you may have. Medications for cocaine withdrawal symptoms allow you to break the cycle of cocaine use.
Simultaneous use of mental health medications can also treat anxiety, depression, insomnia and any other symptoms you’re experiencing along the way. - Address Mental Health and Trauma
Many patients have a dual diagnosis, which means they need to be treated for both cocaine and mental-health-related issues. Many people recovering from cocaine addiction need treatment for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or bipolar disorder.
- Create a Relapse-Proof Plan
Relapse is a normal part of cocaine recovery. This is why treatment programs will work with you to create an aftercare program to help prevent relapse so you can fully enjoy the benefits of staying drug-free. Aftercare programs and extended care include ongoing therapy and attending 12 Step or other support groups.
Helping a Loved One Quit Cocaine
If you have a loved one struggling with cocaine addiction, you may be wondering how to help someone quit cocaine. This can be challenging, but there are some helpful tips to guide you along the way.
Signs of Addiction
First, you want to make sure you know what signs to look for to assess if your loved one is struggling with a cocaine addiction.
Here are some common signs of cocaine addiction:
- Developing tolerance to cocaine and requiring more drug to produce the desired effects
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they stop using cocaine
- Using cocaine in large amounts whenever it is available
- Inability to reduce the amount or stop use
- Spending a great deal of time and energy obtaining and using cocaine
- Inability to successfully maintain employment while using cocaine
- Continually using cocaine despite the negative impact on their life
What to Say vs. What to Avoid
If you bring up seeking treatment to your loved one, they may want to know how to quit cocaine without rehab. Professional help is important for effective recovery, but it can be difficult to know how to discuss this with them.
Here are some tips on what to say:
- Express your concern from a place of love
- Give examples of the negative impact of their cocaine use
- Offer support and help
- Have resources ready to share with them
Here are some things to avoid:
- Passing judgement
- Giving advice
- Making them feel ashamed or guilty
- Giving ultimatums
Sharing resources with your loved one can be very helpful. You can mention 12 Step groups like Cocaine Anonymous, as well as family therapy options.
Start Recovery Today
The sooner you begin your recovery journey, the sooner you get to enjoy the benefits of living a drug-free life.
Prolonged cocaine use can cause negative long-term effects on your physical and mental health, as well as degrade important relationships in your life. Check out cocaine detox options now.
Don’t wait to detox. Call today!
SponsoredQuitting Cocaine FAQs
Your home environment can become a major relapse risk if it is not a supportive place for your recovery. It can be difficult to make the decision to leave, but there are resources available. Sober housing, recovery coaching, or family therapy can help you with issues in your home environment.
Yes, you can. Relapse is a normal part of the recovery process. While it can feel discouraging, research shows that outcomes actually improve dramatically with every attempt when you utilize professional help. So if you have relapsed before, don’t let that stop you from trying again.
Yes, there are still options available to you if you cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for some programs. If you have insurance or access to obtain insurance, check with the carrier to see what they cover.
You can also ask clinics for their sliding scale fees, which offer discounts to those who need them. You can also explore state-funded detox programs that offer low- or no-cost services on an as-needed basis.
Detox is just one step in the recovery process. Often, patients continue to struggle with mental health and finding purpose. Extended care programs and vocational rehab can help you through this and rebuild your identity post-detox.
The initial feelings when you quit cocaine can be discouraging. Some of the withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, but remember, this is a temporary feeling. Usually, within a few months of treatment, you should start to feel the benefits of being drug-free, so hang in there.
Call today to find cocaine detox centers near you.
Sponsored