The Best Way to Withdraw from Crack
It is not surprising to learn that Crack is amongst the most addictive drugs that are out there. When an individual wants to withdraw from Crack, the first step must be to accept that they have an addiction and that they need to stop using.
The way Crack works in the brain is that it brings on addiction. Other effects are a negative impact on the individual’s private and professional life, and a loss of motivation. The individual is constantly looking to get their next fix of Crack, rather than concentrate on other aspects of their life. Hallucinations, paranoia and even thoughts of suicide can be side effects.
Withdrawal from Crack
An individual withdrawing from Crack could experience various different symptoms, but some of the most common ones are:
- Anxiety and depression
- Constantly feeling hungry
- Agitation
- Extreme fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Aggression
- An unbearable craving for the drug
- Mood swings
- Disturbed sleep
Another question is how long would it take to withdraw from Crack? This depends on the individual, and is based on a number of factors including the length of usage, amount of dosage, mental makeup, their ability to deal with stress and the kind of help and support they have in their life. The withdrawal phase can last from a couple of months to a couple of years. Even years into sobriety an individual can get the urge to use again if they go through a triggering incident.
Initial withdrawal symptoms are usually those of panic and anxiety coupled with an intense craving to use again, just hours after the last use. Later symptoms are depression and suicidal thoughts within the first few days of stopping use. Many individuals who have gone through the withdrawal report experiencing the ‘honeymoon stage’, which happens a few days after the last use, when they feel fine and feel like they have kicked the habit. Typically, very intense cravings follow this experience, as the brain struggles to regain normalcy.
How to Ease the Withdrawal Symptoms?
There are many ways to support an individual’s recovery from Crack and ease the withdrawal symptoms. Individuals can join support groups like Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous to boost motivation and recovery. Partaking in low impact exercise such as walking or cycling can go a long way towards restoring good health, as can holistic practices like yoga, meditation and tai chi. Of course, seeking professional help like consulting a therapist can equip the individual with healthy responses and tools for recovery.
The Best and Safest Way to Withdraw from Crack
While there is no medication that is specifically recommended or prescribed for crack withdrawal, some clinical trials have used drugs such as Modafinil, Zofran Baclofen and Celexa have been seen to help lower cocaine intake. However, self help and being part of support groups could actually be more effective, since the addiction is largely psychological. In the long run, consulting a therapist and visiting an addiction clinic regularly are the most effective ways to safely withdraw from Crack.
Hired Power has all the information and resources you need for addiction intervention and recovery. If you are struggling to kick the Crack habit, let us help you create a solid foundation for lasting recovery.