Cocaine drug withdrawal

For many years, the full scope of cocaine s addictiveness was not understood. The body s clues that it has become addicted—the symptoms of withdrawal from cocaine—are not as obvious as in other addictive drugs. Things like trouble sleeping, changes in energy levels, and increased depression are not always clear and can be explained by a variety of other factors. 

Dependence and withdrawal can occur with all of the stimulants. Cocaine is one of the most strongly reinforcing drugs in self-administration paradigms in animals and also has a psychological withdrawal syndrome. A typical pattern of withdrawal includes a ravenous appetite, exhaustion, and mental depression, which may last for several days after the drug is withdrawn. Because tolerance develops quickly, abusers may take large doses, compared with those used medically, for example, as anorexiants. 

Sellers EM, Naranjo CA, Harrison M, et al Diazepam loading simplified treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Clin Pharmacol Ther 34 822-826, 1983 Sharp CW Introduction to inhalant Abuse, in Inhalant Abuse A Volatile Research Agenda (NIDA Research Monograph 129). Edited by Sharp CW, Beuvais F, Spence R. Rockville, MD, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1992, pp 1-10 Smelson DA, Losonczy MF, Davis CW, et al Risperidone decreases craving and relapses in individuals with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence. Can J Psychiatry 47 671-675, 2002... 

Low antiepileptic drug levels, drug overdose (e.g., cocaine, isoniazid, theophylline, phenothiazine), ethanol-related, and drug withdrawal... 

A formal diagnosis of substance dependence requires a maladaptive pattern of abuse that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress. More detailed criteria revolve around the development of tolerance, the experience of withdrawal when abstinence is required, the inability to stop using the drug, and continued use over a protracted period of time. The question is whether or not these criteria, clearly applicable to cocaine, heroin, and other drugs, are met by caffeine. 

Modified and reprinted with permission from American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed.r text revision. Washington, DC American Psychiatric Association, 2000 Sofuoglu M, Dudish-Poulsen S, Poling J, et al. The effect of individual cocaine withdrawal symptoms on outcomes in cocaine users. Addict Behav 2005,30 1 125-1134 and Patten SB, Barbui C. Drug-induced depression a systematic review to inform clinical practice. Psychoth Psychosom 2004 73 207-215. 

GHB is currently extremely popular in the dance club and rave scene. It is also popular among the gay community as well as with exotic dancers and strippers. It is primarily used for its ability to produce euphoria, intoxication, and enhanced sexual feelings. Others use it as a sleep aid or to enhance bodybuilding. Still others use it intentionally as a date rape drug. Abusers of other drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, often take GHB to reduce the withdrawal... 

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