A cocaine high can last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on factors like method of use, purity, and dosage. But what happens after the high is often talked about far less. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that triggers an intense crash once the effects wear off. This uncomfortable cocaine crash can push a person to use more just to feel normal again, creating a cycle that quickly leads to addiction. At Avenues Recovery, we want people to be fully informed about the dangers of cocaine because prevention starts with knowledge.
How Does Cocaine Make You Feel? Before vs After the Crash
Before the crash, cocaine makes you feel euphoric, energetic, focused, and socially confident due to a surge in dopamine. After the crash, users often feel exhausted, anxious, depressed, and irritable. The crash, also referred to as a cocaine hangover or comedown, occurs as dopamine levels drop rapidly, leaving the brain chemically imbalanced and emotionally depleted.
Key Takeaways
- A cocaine hangover can last several hours to 2–3 days. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, irritability, anxiety, and strong cravings.
- Comedown occurs after a single binge as opposed to withdrawal, which happens when the body becomes physically dependent on cocaine.
- Physical symptoms include: Headaches, fatigue, runny or sore nose, red eyes, jaw soreness, and increased appetite.
- Psychological symptoms can also appear, including depression, paranoia, anxiety, irritability, suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and strong cravings.
- If comedown symptoms persist or withdrawal is suspected, medical detox and addiction support are crucial to prevent relapse and manage health risks.
What Is a Cocaine Comedown?
A cocaine comedown is the physical and emotional crash that appears as the drug’s effects wear off. The symptoms of a cocaine comedown are similar to those of a cocaine withdrawal, however, the experiences are quite different.
Cocaine comedown is the first stage of withdrawal after binging on cocaine. People tend to binge on cocaine at parties or other social events, since the drug leaves the user with a sense of increased confidence and extra energy. When someone binges on cocaine, the brain’s dopamine levels spike tremendously and then wear off, leading to a crash.
In contrast, cocaine withdrawal occurs when a person’s body becomes physically dependent on the drug, and the body relies on it just to feel normal. After the person quits taking the drug, withdrawal symptoms come on as the body struggles to regain its natural balance. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can last up to two weeks. Hangover symptoms resolve quickly, whereas withdrawal symptoms can persist for a longer time.
How Long Does a Cocaine Hangover Last?
A cocaine comedown typically lasts from several hours up to 2 days, depending on the dose, frequency of use, and individual metabolism. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, irritability, and strong cravings. The most intense effects usually occur within the first 24 hours after use.
Cocaine Comedown Symptoms
Cocaine use increases levels of dopamine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter known as the ‘feel-good hormone.’ Once the cocaine wears off, the brain has to recover from the decreased dopamine activity. This takes time, and until the brain starts to recover its balance and release regular amounts of dopamine into the body, the lack of dopamine causes distressing comedown symptoms. These symptoms usually start to take effect a few hours after the last dose of cocaine.
Physical Coke Hangover Symptoms
Typical physical cocaine comedown symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Slowed movements
- Runny nose, nosebleeds, and/or sore nose (from snorting cocaine) - cocaine shrinks the blood vessels. When the drug wears off, the vessels open wider than their original state. This leads to congestion and flu-like symptoms
- Increased appetite - cocaine reduces the appetite, so people who are high on cocaine can go on without food for hours. Once the effects wear off, the appetite returns with full force.
- Redness of the eyes
- Sore jaw (as cocaine can cause uncontrollable movement of the jaw and teeth grinding)
Physiological Coke Comedown Symptoms
Common physiological cocaine comedown symptoms include:
- Depression - due to decreased dopamine activity
- Suicidal thoughts
- Paranoia
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Cravings for cocaine
- Trouble with concentration, foggy thinking
- Agitation
- Disturbed sleep/nightmare
How To Come Down From Cocaine Safely
Cocaine is a dangerous drug, and dependency can develop quickly. The first step is recognizing whether you’re experiencing a temporary crash or true withdrawal, because the two can feel similar at first. If the symptoms mentioned above continue for longer than 72 hours or keep worsening, it may indicate withdrawal, not just a crash. In that case, professional addiction support and medical detox are important to reduce risks, manage symptoms safely, and prevent relapse.
In cases of cocaine comedown, here are some strategies one could employ to help manage the comedown symptoms and ease the suffering. Please note that these will not cure the hangover- just relieve the symptoms.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking lots of water will speed up the metabolism and thus help with the recovery process. The organs will also benefit from the extra water and be able to function normally.
- Rest: Get as much sleep as you can; at least 8 hours a night. Sleeping or resting is crucial during recovery, so try to create for yourself a calm and soothing environment and lie down. If sleep eludes you, listen to relaxing music or engage in restful activities, such as taking a bath or meditating.
- Eat: Eat healthy and nutritious meals, which include fruit, vegetables, and whole grains regularly, to enable your body to recover properly and to prevent the symptoms of severe hunger. Also, try to avoid caffeine to further help ease the symptoms.
- Avoid temptation: Stay off drugs and alcohol to keep your body free of toxins. Craving the drug in order to bring you that high feeling is one of the signs of a cocaine comedown. Resist the temptation by reminding yourself that the comedown is temporary and the symptoms will pass very soon.
- Distract yourself from the symptoms: Reading a book, listening to music, shopping, or hanging out with friends will pass time and help you get through the symptoms more easily.
- Use techniques to cope with anxiety and stress: Attending a yoga class, meditating, learning breathing exercises or practicing mindfulness can help with anxiety and stress. Taking part in creative activities, such as singing, drawing, gardening or baking can help further reduce stress.
Long-Term Relief From Addiction Starts Here
If you find yourself constantly going through this cycle, it’s time to reach out for help. Recognizing that your use is becoming more than casual use is key to getting your life and health back on track. Seeking medical attention should be the first step towards getting cocaine out of the system, as it will increase the likelihood of a successful recovery and prevent health risks that arise when quitting cocaine addiction alone. If you or a loved one suffer from cocaine addiction, don’t hesitate. Reach out to Avenues Recovery today.
FAQs on Cocaine Comedown
Can a single use of cocaine cause lasting damage?
Yes, a single use of cocaine can cause lasting damage, including heart attack, stroke, or sudden cardiac death. Cocaine rapidly increases blood pressure and heart rate, which can trigger severe cardiovascular events even in first-time users. It may also cause long-term changes in brain chemistry with repeated risk.
How quickly does tolerance to cocaine develop?
Cocaine tolerance can develop rapidly, often after just a few uses. The brain adapts to increased dopamine levels, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. Frequent use accelerates this process, making users more likely to binge, escalate intake, and experience stronger comedowns and dependence.
Can a cocaine hangover affect heart health?
Yes, a cocaine hangover can affect heart health by increasing the risk of arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and heart attacks. Even after the high wears off, the cardiovascular system remains stressed due to lingering stimulant effects, which can strain the heart and elevate long-term health risks.
How does snorting vs smoking cocaine change the crash?
The main difference between snorting and smoking cocaine is the speed and intensity of the crash. Smoking cocaine causes a faster, more intense crash due to rapid absorption and shorter high duration. Snorting produces a slower onset and a longer high, often resulting in a milder, prolonged comedown.