Cocaine is a stimulant drug made from the coca plant. Although it has been used medicinally for its anesthetic effects, many people abuse the drug. Some people snort cocaine powder through their nose or rub it into their gums, while others dissolve it and inject it into their bloodstream with a needle. Cocaine is the second most trafficked drug in the United States and is known to cause many problems in the lives of users, including cocaine withdrawal symptoms.

Is Cocaine Addictive?

Cocaine is powerfully addictive and has a significant impact on the brain. Addiction involves changes to the structure of the brain’s reward system, leading to compulsive use of intoxicating substances.

When cocaine is used, it increases levels of dopamine in the brain, which is a natural chemical messenger that helps control the nervous system and plays a role in how a person feels pleasure. During the normal communication process, a neuron releases dopamine into a gap between two neurons, called a synapse. Then a transporter removes the dopamine from the synapse to be recycled for use later. 

When cocaine is used, this normal communication process is interfered with. Cocaine binds to the dopamine transporter, preventing dopamine from being removed from the synapse, thus causing dopamine to accumulate and creating a sense of euphoria.

When a person develops a physical addiction to cocaine, they are likely to experience cocaine withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it. 

What are the Signs of Cocaine Withdrawal?

There are several cocaine withdrawal symptoms a person may experience during cocaine detox. While these may differ from person to person, here are a few that are likely to occur:

• Slowed thinking
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Restlessness
• Temporary impotence
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lack of energy 
• Vivid dreams and nightmares
• Anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure)
• Chills
• Tremors
• Nerve pain
• Muscle aches
• Increased appetite
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Cravings for cocaine
• Suicidal thoughts and actions

How Long Does Cocaine Withdrawal Last?

Intense cocaine withdrawal symptoms will usually last for 7 to 10 days. However, it can take months before the symptoms go away completely. 

The timeline is typically divided into three phases as follows:

Phase One (The Crash Phase): This phase can kick in as soon as 90 minutes after last using the drug. Symptoms will be most severe during this period. It can last for a few hours or a few days. 

Phase Two (The Craving Phase): The craving phase can last 1 to 10 weeks. During this time, the individual will experience intense cravings for cocaine. This may cause them to have difficulty concentrating. It will also make them lethargic and irritable. 

Phase Three (The Extinction Phase): This final stage of withdrawal can last 30 weeks or more. The person may still feel cravings for the drug, but they won’t be as severe as they were before. They may be stronger depending on the person’s environment. For example, if they see someone using, the cravings will increase. 

Different people experience withdrawal differently. The intensity of the symptoms and the amount of time they take to get through withdrawal will depend on the following factors: 

• How long they used
• How much of the drug they used
• Whether they used other drugs along with cocaine
• If they are dealing with environmental factors making stress worse
• If they are dealing with a co-occurring disorder that’s making them want to use

How My Recovery Source Can Help

Withdrawal from cocaine is not easy. It’s important to find a reliable recovery facility to help you make it through. 

It can be difficult to find the facility that’s right for you. You need to find one that offers a pleasant environment, the type of treatment you need, and a well-trained, compassionate staff. It can take hours of research to come up with the perfect solution, or you can save yourself time by contacting My Recovery Source first.

My Recovery Source is the number one destination for rehab facility referrals. We will find the center best suited to you regardless of your location, background, and personal and financial situation. We can find you or a loved one the help you need. Overcoming a cocaine addiction is not easy. When it’s time to get help, contact My Recovery Source first. We will give you the guidance you need on your path to wellness.

Alcoholism is difficult to overcome. One of the most complex parts of getting past an alcohol addiction is withdrawal. These are symptoms that occur as the body tries to get used to sobriety. 

Knowing what to expect may not make things easier, but it will tell you that there is an end to the suffering that leads to a happier road ahead. This article will provide an alcohol withdrawal symptoms timeline to know what you are in for. 

Can Alcohol Cause Withdrawal?

Yes. Withdrawal is one of the main things that make alcohol so addictive.

You may start drinking because it’s fun, or it may calm you down and make you feel better. But if you begin to rely on alcohol for the effects it produces, it will lead you in a vicious cycle. 

The first thing you will notice is that you need more alcohol to get the same euphoric effects. Eventually, your body will get so used to having alcohol in its symptoms that it will be unable to function without it. It will go into a state of withdrawal during times of sobriety. 

The only way to immediately stop symptoms of withdrawal is to drink more alcohol or let your body experience symptoms until sobriety is achieved. But with the symptoms being so unpleasant, it isn’t easy to deal with them. Many take the easy way out and keep drinking. 

Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include the following:

• Sweating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Nausea
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Shaking 
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Confusion 
• Racing heart 
• Fever
• High blood pressure
• Delirium tremens

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline

After you stop drinking, you will typically experience serious withdrawal symptoms for 72 hours. During this time, symptoms will vary and may include the following: 

6 Hours After Your Last Drink: At this stage of the alcohol timeline, you will begin experiencing mild symptoms like shaky hands, a headache, digestive issues, insomnia, and sweating.

12-48 Hours After Your Last Drink: Your symptoms will get more severe by 12 to 48 hours into alcohol detox. You may start experiencing hallucinations, and seizures may occur. 

48-72 Hours After Your Last Drink: Delirium Tremens (DTs) are alcohol symptoms withdrawal that occurs in about 5% of people and will typically set in 48-72 hours after your last drink. They are characterized by hallucinations and delusions. Other symptoms experienced within this timeframe include confusion, racing heartbeat, high blood pressure, fever, and heavy sweating. 

After the first 72 hours of detox, alcohol symptoms may continue for up to two weeks, but they typically won’t be as severe. 

Benefits of Alcohol Detox Centers

Withdrawal is difficult, and many people don’t make it through. Instead of allowing their body to get clean, they keep on drinking. But they will have a higher rate of success if they detox at a rehab facility. 

A rehab facility will supervise you throughout the detox process. They will provide a calm and comfortable environment that will keep you calm. They will offer medications that can reduce symptoms and cravings. They can immediately treat issues that occur, and they oversee patients to prevent relapse. 

Once a patient completes detox, the facility will continue to be instrumental in the rehab process. They will provide therapy that targets the patient’s addiction and its underlying causes. They will follow up with aftercare helping the patient maintain sobriety. 

Finding the Alcohol Detox Center That’s Right for You

There are many alcohol detox centers out there, but it can be challenging to find one that’s right for you. You must consider the atmosphere, the pricing, the staff, the success rates, and the treatments offered. It can take you quite some time to find the right place, but you can make your search easier by contacting my Recovery Source first.

My Recovery Source is a free resource specializing in finding rehab facilities that are right for you. They offer help regardless of your location, background, and financial and personal situation. You can call or email to take advantage of their discreet services. Alcohol detox is not easy, but the right rehab center will help you make it through. My Recovery Source will assist you in finding the best facilities. Contact us today to take the first step on your path to wellness.

Addiction is not easy to fight. While detox, therapy, and aftercare are all effective, medications are also often brought in to help ween people off the drugs they are dependent on.

There are various medications that can be used, but a Vivitrol shot is one that is said to be highly effective. Read on to find out the answer to the question, what is a Vivitrol shot and how it can be effective in fighting addiction.

What is a Vivitrol Shot?

A Vivitrol shot is an injectable version of the drug naltrexone. It works by binding to opioid receptors to block out the euphoria people feel when doing drugs. It is mostly used to help people ween off alcohol and opioids.

When used on people recovering from alcoholism, it also discourages cravings. It stays in the system, making people feel sick if they try to drink. Once they establish that drinking is no longer a pleasurable activity, they become less likely to engage.

Vivitrol for opioids works by completely blocking the drug’s ability to bind to receptors. It eliminates pleasurable feelings, so people no longer want to use.

How is Vivitrol Used?

Vivitrol is available by prescription only. Medical professionals that prescribe and administer the shots must undergo special training before doing so.

Although the shot is effective in blocking cravings, it must be used in conjunction with therapy. It is not meant to last forever, and the patient needs to be able to control their addiction without it.

Vivitrol should only be administered after patients complete a 7–10-day detox period. If it is given before detox is complete, it can make withdrawal symptoms worse, particularly in those dealing with an opioid addiction. This is because the medication will abruptly remove the opioids from the receptors causing a more severe reaction.

The shot is usually given once a month, and it is injected into the buttocks area. Patients must be sober 7-14 days before taking the shot. The concentration of the drug will begin to decline after two weeks, but it will stay in the body for 25 to 50 days.

It is recommended that patients take Vivitrol for a full year for maximum benefits.

Is Vivitrol Safe?

Vivitrol is generally safe, but it can cause side effects for some people. These include the following:

• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Sleep issues
• Fatigue
• Muscle and joint pain
• Headache

In rare cases, the shot may cause liver toxicity, eosinophilic pneumonia, and reactions at the injection site.

Benefits of Vivitrol

Vivitrol provides several benefits, including the following:

• Reduces Cravings: Vivitrol reduces cravings for alcohol and opioids, helping to break the cycle of addiction. The elimination of cravings allows people to focus on recovery.  
• Reduces Chances of Relapse: The drug’s ability to reduce cravings minimizes relapse at times when a person is most likely to go back to using. Detox and aftercare are often the most challenging times for a patient, but with Vivitrol being administered throughout the first year, they have a helping hand when it comes to getting through these phases of recovery.
• It Does Not Produce Euphoric Effects: Other medications used to control addiction, like methadone, can be abused. They work by producing euphoric effects that take the place of the opioid. So, the person ends up becoming addicted to the medication instead of the drug. Vivitrol does not produce euphoric effects, making it a better choice for ending addiction once and for all.

My Recovery Source Can Help You Find the Rehab Center That’s Right for You

If you are dealing with addiction, it’s important to find a rehab facility you know you can trust. It can take hours of research to find the perfect place. But you can cut down on the time you spend searching by contacting My Recovery Source first.

My Recovery Source is a free service specializing in finding people the treatment center that’s right for them. We provide assistance regardless of your location, personal and financial situation, and background. We offer a personalized recommendation for you or a loved one. Getting over addiction is tough. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get help. Contact My Recovery Source to get the assistance you need to start on a path to a better life.

It’s not easy to overcome addiction. The first step to getting help is the hardest one to make for some.

People are reluctant to reach out for many reasons. They may be afraid of what people think of them, or they may not believe their problem isn’t that bad.

Another common issue is that some people simply don’t have the time to get the help they need. They may hold down jobs, or they may need to care for someone at home, such as an elderly relative or young child. Taking the 30, 60, or 90 days off that most rehabs require simply isn’t possible for many.

But what if 2 week rehab programs were an option? Taking this amount of time off is much more doable, and it can get you on the road to recovery, making for an excellent first step.

Read on to find out more about 2 week treatment programs so you can determine if this is the best option for you.

How Long are Addiction Treatment Rehab Programs?

If you are thinking of entering an inpatient treatment facility, you will find that most offer 30-, 60- and 90-day options. The one you choose will depend on the severity of your addiction. The worse your addiction is, the more time you will need to detox and go through therapy to deal with your issues.

After you check out of the facility, you may continue to get outpatient treatment. This will help you adjust to sober living and maintain a high level of mental health. Many people with dependency issues attend therapy sessions indefinitely as an ongoing management strategy.

Are There 2 Week Rehab Programs?

Yes, a 14-day rehab is a fantastic option for some people.

A 14-day rehab gives you just enough time to get through detox, one of the most challenging parts of recovery.

Detox is typically the first stage of any rehab program. It involves allowing toxins to leave your body.

Most people with dependency issues have gotten used to having their drug of choice in their system. During detox, the body struggles as it adjusts to being without the drug. It exhibits unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that make the person want to go back to using.

The staff in 2 week rehab programs will supervise you throughout the process to ensure you stay as comfortable as possible. They will see to it that relapse doesn’t occur.

By the end of the two weeks, you should be over your withdrawal symptoms and in a good place to start outpatient therapy. If your withdrawal symptoms persist, you may need additional care.

What are the Benefits of 2 Week Rehab Programs?

Two week treatment programs provide several benefits, including the following:

Less Time off Work/ Away from Home: A 14-day rehab means you can recover without needing to take extensive time off work or away from home.

Less Expensive: Rehab programs can be quite expensive. The shorter the amount of time you spend in them, the less you will have to pay. Rehab programs can be made more affordable with insurance and payment plans.

Easier Adjustment to Everyday Life: It can be difficult to adjust back to the ‘real world’ after spending time in rehab. Many people are unable to handle the stress and go back to using quickly after they are released. Being away for just two weeks makes for an easier adjustment period. With the right therapy, it can reduce the rate of relapse.

How to Find 2 Week Rehab Programs Near Me

It can be hard to find the 14-day rehab that’s right for you. You can spend a lot of time on the internet looking for a facility that provides the perfect atmosphere and the comprehensive care you are looking for. Or you can save yourself some trouble by going to My Recovery Source first.

My Recovery Source will help you find the rehab program suited to your needs. We provide assistance regardless of your location and personal and financial situation. Call or email for personalized recommendations that will get you on the right path. Not everyone can spend a lot of time in rehab. My Recovery Source will help you find the 2 week rehab programs that will get you on the road to recovery. Contact us today, and look forward to improved wellness in the coming months.