Whether you’re dealing with an addiction or looking to stop using cocaine recreationally to prevent it from leading to an addiction, quitting cocaine can be tough.
However, we’re here to reassure you that it is possible. In fact, nearly half (47%) of those who seek treatment for drug addiction or misuse successfully recover, according to UK Government data.
To help, we’ll share six tips to help you quit cocaine use, as well as the signs of cocaine addiction to look out for in yourself or a loved one.
If you’re struggling with a cocaine addiction or misuse, then it’s always best to see a professional. Get in touch with us today for expert advice and support.
6 Expert Tips to Quit Cocaine
The best way to quit cocaine for good is to seek professional help from addiction recovery specialists.
However, there are simple steps you can take yourself to support your journey to recovery. For our six expert tips to quit cocaine, read below.
1. Keep a Journal
While keeping a journal may seem like a small step to quit cocaine, it’s actually a great tool to help process the complex emotions that come along with addiction recovery.
Therapists often recommend journaling as a way to make sense of difficult-to-understand feelings. In fact, studies have found that writing down how you feel can actually help alleviate anxiety.
Recovering from drug addiction or misuse often creates a lot of conflicting feelings – agitation, fear, sadness. Getting them out of your mind and onto a piece of paper helps you track these feelings, as well as come to terms with what they mean.
2. Book a GP Appointment
One of the best ways to get professional help in quitting cocaine is to book an appointment with your local GP.
The NHS says a medical practitioner will speak with you to understand exactly what you’re going through. From there, they can put you in touch with the relevant local services to support you through recovery.
Your GP may be able to help arrange therapy, as well as treatment from recovery specialists at a local rehab centre, should you need further expert support.
3. Speak to Loved Ones
If you have a strong network of friends and family, relying on them for emotional support as you go about quitting cocaine is crucial.
Experiencing drug addiction or misuse can feel incredibly isolating, making the recovery process seem even harder. Try speaking openly with loved ones about how you feel, any worries or concerns you may have. After all, a problem shared is a problem halved.
You can also build your own support network by attending support groups for drug addiction. Here, you’ll be able to talk with people on their own recovery journey, too. Use Talk To Frank’s website to find your local drug support group.
4. Focus on Your Health
Quitting cocaine can be stressful for the mind and body. As such, it’s important to keep looking after yourself throughout the process.
Fostering healthy habits is one place to start. For example, you can spend some time looking after your physical health by joining a gym, trying yoga, or joining a running club.
Hobbies are a great distraction for the mind. Plus, they fill your time with activities you enjoy, helping you avoid the temptation of drugs. There’s plenty to explore – reading, learning a language, playing chess, or even writing.
5. See a Therapist
Therapy is an effective way to help manage drug use. One of the most common therapies for addiction treatment is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
With CBT, you’ll meet with a trained therapist who will help you understand your addiction, including any triggers or causes. From there, you can start to develop healthy coping mechanisms to rely on instead of the drug.
While therapy isn’t a definitive cure for drug addiction, it is a great tool to deal with the issue at hand. Plus, it gives you a safe environment to speak about issues you may find hard to discuss with family or friends.
6. Go to Rehab
One of the most effective methods of quitting cocaine is to check yourself into a specialist addiction rehab centre.
Drug rehab is designed to create a safe space for all who need guidance and support in managing a drug addiction. In rehab, you get around-the-clock care from a dedicated team of professionals.
Typically, you’ll receive bespoke therapy, guidance from experts, and access to support groups to help manage your addiction. Plus, you’ll receive healthy, cooked meals to fuel your body, as well as your own room for quiet reflection and time to yourself.
What Are the Signs of Drug Addiction?
Knowing the signs of a drug addiction is the best place to start in quitting cocaine use. Once you know when you’re dealing with an addiction, you can start to seek help.
It can be difficult to recognise a drug addiction within yourself. To help assess if your cocaine use is becoming an addiction, take a look at the checklist below:
- I have an uncontrollable need to use the drug every day
- I am arguing with loved ones over drug use
- I am no longer interested in work, hobbies, or social activities
- I am cancelling on social engagements with friends to do drugs
- I have noticed an impact on my mental and physical health
- Loved ones have expressed concern over my drug use
Does this sound like you? If so, it’s best to speak to an addiction specialist as soon as possible. To discuss your rehab options with us, give our friendly team a call.
Why Is Important to Quit Cocaine?
Excessive use of any drug has long-lasting effects on the body and mind. As such, the longer you wait to quit cocaine, the harder it becomes.
Over time, your brain becomes dependent on the substance, often leading to serious repercussions on mental and physical health when you limit or deny yourself the drug. However, the more you use the drug, the larger the dose you need to feel the same effects.
Quitting cocaine before you reach this stage is crucial, as it can make the recovery process smoother, getting you back to health that bit faster.
How Does Cocaine Affect the Body?
Cocaine may feel good to use in the moment. However, it actually has myriad effects on the body, both short-term and long-term.
Short-term effects of excessive use or cocaine addiction include:
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Lack of sleep
- Paranoia
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Changes in behaviour
It’s important to consider behaviour changes when you take cocaine, too. For some, the temporary high causes a feeling of invincibility, which may lead you to make risky decisions.
Long-term effects of using cocaine can cause damage to your overall health, including:
- Depression or anxiety
- Nose, cartilage, septum, or tissue damage
- Loss of sense of smell
- Tears or ulcers in the stomach
- Digestive difficulties
- Impaired kidneys and liver
Using cocaine long-term can cause psychosis, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts. If this happens, call 999 as soon as possible.
Is Quitting Cocaine Possible?
When it comes down to it, we know you’re probably wondering whether it’s even possible to quit cocaine. Well, let us reassure you; quitting cocaine is completely possible.
Dealing with a drug addiction of any kind can leave you feeling isolated, lonely, and a little bit hopeless. However, we want to remind you that you can regain control of your life. With the right support, quitting cocaine is achievable.
In fact, in 2024/25, over 169,000 people entered addiction treatment in the UK, designed specifically to help them quit drugs like cocaine. A figure that is higher than the two previous years.
Taking the leap to start treatment may be daunting, but it’s the best way to ensure you get the right help to curb addiction for good.
What Happens When You Quit Cocaine?
Quitting cocaine can be a difficult process, especially if you’ve been dealing with an addiction for a long time.
When you stop taking cocaine, you experience withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to not having the substance in its system anymore. Symptoms of withdrawal impact both mental and physical health, with symptoms including
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Exhaustion
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Tremors
Dealing with withdrawal symptoms alone can make the process even harder. As such, it’s best to seek help from professional addiction recovery services. Experts can provide medications to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms, as well as help guide you through recovery safely.
If at any point during your withdrawal, you notice suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, paranoia, or intense agitation to the point of aggression, then call 999 as soon as possible.
Stonebridge Communities Help You Regain Control of Your Life
Here at Stonebridge Communities, we provide expert addiction treatment to help people across the UK quit cocaine.
As a CQC-qualified team, you can trust you’re getting the best care possible, tailored specifically to your needs. With us, you get around-the-clock care at our residential rehab centre, helping you focus entirely on addiction recovery.
If you’re worried about an addiction in yourself or a loved one, get in touch with us today. You can reach us via phone on 01934 311965 or send an email to info@stonebridge.rehab.
For more information on how addiction impacts the body, such as 10 signs of drug-induced psychosis and how long alcohol withdrawal lasts, head over to our blog.
