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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Of Cocaine
Question: can you please give some advise on hoe to deal with intense cravings after stoping cocaine
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello Rafi,
Sorry it's taken awhile for someone to respond. It can take up to a day sometimes depending on what types of doctors are online.
It's best of course, if you can, to get into a substance abuse program because quitting cocaine is very hard without it. Cocaine cravings can be intense, as you are experiencing.
You may need some medical support. There are medications that can help with the cravings such as gabapentin (Neurontin), modafinil, and the muscle relaxant baclofen.
Over the counter, you can try the supplement N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).
Avoiding situations that used to trigger using cocaine, or situations where you used to use, is imperative. That is true for any habit (such as quitting smoking). If you used to get together with certain people and use with them, avoid them for now. Or certain places - avoid those.
Distraction is important. Anything you can do to occupy your mind can help. Otherwise it keeps replaying the tape of wanting to use again. Physical activity that absorbs your mind too is the idea. Cravings will still come up in your mind from time to time, but it will be more manageable, not constant. And when they come up, be mindful and just identify "oh, that is a craving" and then try to re-engage your mind again.
Eating well, so that you don't get hypoglycemic can help some people, because certain physical states can trigger cravings.
I hope this information helps. But if it isn't enough, I strongly recommend getting involved in either outpatient (or in patient if you need it) for in person and group support.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello Rafi,
Sorry it's taken awhile for someone to respond. It can take up to a day sometimes depending on what types of doctors are online.
It's best of course, if you can, to get into a substance abuse program because quitting cocaine is very hard without it. Cocaine cravings can be intense, as you are experiencing.
You may need some medical support. There are medications that can help with the cravings such as gabapentin (Neurontin), modafinil, and the muscle relaxant baclofen.
Over the counter, you can try the supplement N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).
Avoiding situations that used to trigger using cocaine, or situations where you used to use, is imperative. That is true for any habit (such as quitting smoking). If you used to get together with certain people and use with them, avoid them for now. Or certain places - avoid those.
Distraction is important. Anything you can do to occupy your mind can help. Otherwise it keeps replaying the tape of wanting to use again. Physical activity that absorbs your mind too is the idea. Cravings will still come up in your mind from time to time, but it will be more manageable, not constant. And when they come up, be mindful and just identify "oh, that is a craving" and then try to re-engage your mind again.
Eating well, so that you don't get hypoglycemic can help some people, because certain physical states can trigger cravings.
I hope this information helps. But if it isn't enough, I strongly recommend getting involved in either outpatient (or in patient if you need it) for in person and group support.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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