Cocaine Comedown: What Happens After the High?

In 2022, there were 241 cocaine-related deaths just in Tampa. We know cocaine is deadly in the worst-case scenario. Cocaine use is tough on the body, even when it doesn’t lead to negative outcomes.

Cocaine is known for its intense high that creates euphoric effects. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, everything that comes up must come down. That sense of joy and excitement you feel when cocaine is in your system quickly turns to anxiety, depression, and a slew of other symptoms.

At Real Recovery, we know that recovering from cocaine use disorder affects every aspect of your life. That’s why we’re committed to empowering you to make changes that reach far beyond your treatment in our facility. Here, you’ll have a case manager who will connect you to resources you need for success, like SNAP benefits, a gym membership, continuing education, work opportunities, and more.

Most people seek out cocaine to feel good, but afterward it leaves you feeling worse. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of cocaine comedown.

What Is a Cocaine Comedown?

Cocaine is a stimulant made by combining cocaine alkaloids from the coca plant with several chemicals in a laboratory setting. The primary effect of cocaine is the strong rush of elation it creates. This happens because cocaine causes the brain to release excess dopamine, which then gets trapped in the synapses between cells.

Normally, dopamine is produced when you take part in an enjoyable activity, like eating your favorite food or having sex. The dopamine quickly travels between dopamine receptors and then is recycled to repeat the process later. However, since cocaine traps dopamine between cells, there is much more dopamine in the brain than normal.

Cocaine affects the entire central nervous system. The stimulant raises your heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. This makes you talkative and even hyperactive. The effects of cocaine don’t last long, typically about 30 minutes. In order to prolong the effects, you may find yourself taking more and more cocaine. The effects of cocaine eventually fade, leading to a drop in dopamine levels and resulting in a cocaine comedown.

What Is the Cocaine Crash & Rebound Effect?

Part of that cocaine comedown is what’s known as the crash and rebound effect. The crash is the severe exhaustion you experience after coming down from an intense stimulant like cocaine. Your body has been in overdrive. Cocaine in your system often prevents you from eating or sleeping, leaving you reliant on its energy boost. When that stimulant is gone, you have no energy left.

The rebound effect then happens when your body tries to rebalance and bring itself back to a normal state. Unfortunately, this is often an uncomfortable process that has effects that are opposite to cocaine. Even after the crash, you’ll feel drowsy and irritable. Sometimes people take more cocaine to avoid the feelings associated with the rebound effect. This is one of the factors that leads to cocaine use disorder.

What Are the Symptoms of Cocaine Comedown?

The symptoms of cocaine comedown vary slightly from person to person. Their intensity differs depending on several factors, including how much cocaine was in your system, how long you’ve been doing cocaine, and what your physical health is like. Cocaine comedown doesn’t just happen to people who have regularly used cocaine. It starts with your first use.

Physical symptoms of cocaine comedown include:

• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Inability to sleep
• Dilated blood vessels leading to swelling
• Flu-like symptoms such as aches, pains, and a runny nose
• Changes in appetite
• Cravings for cocaine
• Headaches and dizziness
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Psychological symptoms of cocaine include:

• Difficulty focusing
• Confusion and difficulty making decisions
• Feeling like life is hopeless
• A sense of worthlessness or emptiness
• Paranoia (believing something or someone is out to get you)
• Intense agitation or irritability
• Mood swings
• Anxiety and stress
• Panic attacks

For many people, the psychological symptoms are more intense than the physical symptoms. This is because of the intense dopamine crash that occurs when cocaine exits your system. These difficult feelings are what often lead people to take more cocaine, which leads to cocaine use disorder.

Remember that these feelings will pass as your body readjusts. In severe cases, the psychological effects of cocaine comedown lead to suicidal or homicidal ideation. If you are thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

How Long Does Cocaine Comedown Last?

Typically, a cocaine comedown will last somewhere between a couple of hours and a couple of days. Just like symptoms can vary from person to person, the amount of time cocaine comedown lasts does, too.

Many factors influence how long the comedown will last. For example, what your cocaine has been cut with can change how your body reacts to the comedown. How much of it you’ve taken and whether or not you’ve mixed cocaine with other substances also play a role in how long the comedown will last.

What’s the Difference Between Cocaine Comedown and Cocaine Withdrawal?

Cocaine withdrawal is more intense than a comedown. While a comedown will usually last days at the longest, a withdrawal can last for weeks or even months. Cocaine withdrawal happens when your body has developed a physical reliance on the substance and it is no longer in your system.

The symptoms of cocaine withdrawal are very similar to those of a cocaine comedown, but they are much more intense. With cocaine withdrawals, your mental health will get worse rapidly, and cravings for cocaine will be very intense. You are much more likely to experience cocaine withdrawals if you consume the substance regularly and over longer periods.

How to Recover From a Cocaine Comedown

When it comes to managing the comedown from cocaine, it is important to take care of yourself. Many of the symptoms of cocaine comedown mimic those of a cold and can be treated the same way. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You could also use a sports drink to replenish your electrolytes. You might be craving fatty foods, but healthier options, like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein options, will do more to relieve your symptoms. You can use over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen to treat aches and pains. You should also get plenty of rest while your body is recovering.

Remember to take care of the psychological symptoms of cocaine comedown as well. Talking to a trusted friend or family member can help you work through your feelings. Journaling is another good way to work through your feelings. Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can also help you work through stress and anxiety.

During the cocaine comedown, you’ll get cravings for more cocaine. It is important to resist and distract yourself from those cravings. Ultimately, the comedown will still be waiting for you when the effects wear off again. The best way to avoid a future cocaine comedown is to refrain from taking more cocaine. 

Cocaine Addiction Treatment Options in Tampa, FL

Experiencing a comedown after taking cocaine doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a cocaine use disorder. If you feel prolonged, intense symptoms after use, it’s time to consider cocaine addiction treatment.

Treatment programs are a good fit if you want to quit using cocaine but can’t manage to stop on your own. You should consider programs that offer evidence-based treatment modalities, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In CBT, you’ll work with a trained therapist to identify your thought patterns and how they relate to behaviors. Together, you and your therapist will find healthier coping mechanisms to deal with difficult emotions and situations.

12-step programs are also a useful tool for treating cocaine use disorder. A 12-step program will hold you responsible for your actions while in recovery. It provides the chance to connect with others who share your experiences. Together, you’ll learn how to create healthy lives and support each other.

If you or someone you love is managing a cocaine use disorder, help is available. Real Recovery Solutions offers the largest sober living community in Florida, empowering you to find recovery from cocaine use disorder. Call us today at 813-373-6762 to learn more about our program offerings. 

Real people. Real solutions. Real results.