How to Quit Cocaine: Signs of Addiction, Withdrawal and Where to Get Help

By the NuLife Team · Reviewed by a certified specialist · Last updated November 2026

Cocaine use is more common than many people think. In 2023, 3% of people in Canada said they had used cocaine or crack in the past year, and 5% of youth and young adults aged 15 to 24. For some, it starts at parties or with drinking. Over time, it can take over sleep, money, work and relationships. This guide covers the signs, what withdrawal feels like, and what actually helps.

Signs of Cocaine Addiction

Health Canada describes cocaine and crack as highly addictive. Watch for these signs in yourself or someone you care about:

• Needing more cocaine to get the same effect
• Strong cravings that make it hard to focus on anything else
• Life becoming centred on getting and using it
• Feeling you can’t function, socialize or get through the week without it
• Using more often or in larger amounts than you planned
• Money, work or relationship problems because of use
• Trying to cut back and not being able to

What Cocaine Does to Your Body and Mind

Cocaine works within seconds to minutes. It floods the brain with dopamine, which is why it feels so good at first and why the low afterwards is so hard. With regular use, it can lead to:

• Heart and blood vessels: high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke
• Mood and sleep: depression, anxiety, mood swings, sleep problems and paranoia
• Nose (snorting): nosebleeds, loss of smell and damage inside the nose
• Lungs (crack): chest pain and breathing problems

Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

When you stop, your brain has to adjust. Common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Strong cravings
• Tiredness and low energy
• Low mood or depression
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping a lot
• Feeling hungry all the time

Everyone is different. How much and how long you used changes how strong it feels. The low mood is often the hardest part, so plan for it. If you feel hopeless or have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 9-8-8 any time.

The Biggest Risk: Overdose

Health Canada calls overdose the most serious risk of cocaine use. Because it comes from an unregulated supply, you can never know exactly what’s in it or how strong it is. Mixing it with alcohol or opioids raises the risk.

Call 911 right away if someone has chest pain, a seizure, trouble breathing or passes out, and stay with them. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act gives some legal protection to people who call for help.

How to Quit Cocaine: 7 Steps That Help

1. Decide your goal and your date. Write down why you want to stop. Read it when cravings hit.
2. Cut off easy access. Delete dealer contacts and avoid carrying extra cash on nights you used to buy.
3. Know your triggers. Alcohol, certain friends, payday and stress are common ones. Plan around them.
4. Go easy on alcohol. Drinking is one of the most common triggers to use again.
5. Ride out cravings. A craving rises and then passes. Call someone, go for a walk or change rooms until it does.
6. Look after sleep, food and exercise. They help your mood recover faster.
7. Get one-on-one support. Talking it through with someone who helps you plan makes a big difference.

What Treatment Works for Cocaine Addiction?

There’s no single pill for cocaine addiction. A 2021 review of treatment studies in JAMA Network Open found that no medication worked consistently. The approach most clearly linked to less cocaine use was structured support that rewards progress and keeps people engaged in treatment.

What about acupuncture? The research is mixed. In a Yale study of 82 people, 55% of those who had ear acupuncture tested cocaine-free in the last week of treatment, compared with 24% and 9% in the comparison groups. A larger study of 620 people found ear acupuncture didn’t help when used on its own, and the researchers said it should be combined with counselling. That’s why our program is never just a laser on its own: it’s built around one-on-one counselling and a plan made for you.

How NuLife Helps You Stop Using Cocaine

At NuLife we combine traditional acupuncture technique with low-level laser therapy (photobiomodulation). A painless low-level laser is applied to specific points, with no needles and no drugs, to help ease cravings and stress while you change your habits. It’s combined with one-on-one counselling, and the device we use is FDA cleared and Health Canada approved.

It’s outpatient support, so you keep working and living at home. It is not medical detox or emergency care, and it works alongside your doctor.

How the options compare:

“Laser acupuncture therapy at NuLife was the missing piece in my journey to recovery. It provided the support I needed to conquer drug addiction once and for all.”

Cherry F.

Learn more about our Substance Use Program, or call us for a free 15-minute phone assessment. No referral needed.

When to Get More Help

• Chest pain, a seizure, trouble breathing or someone passing out: call 911
• Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself: call or text 9-8-8
• You also use opioids or other drugs, or you drink heavily every day: talk to your doctor before you stop

For free, confidential help finding treatment in Ontario, call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600, any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does cocaine withdrawal last?

It varies. Tiredness, low mood and cravings are common in the first weeks, and cravings can come back later with triggers like alcohol or certain people. Having a plan for those moments matters more than the exact timeline.

Can you quit cocaine on your own?

Some people do, but many find it much easier with support. A plan, people who know what you’re doing, and one-on-one counselling all raise your chances.

Does drinking make it harder to quit?

Yes. Alcohol is one of the most common triggers to use again, and mixing the two raises the risk of overdose.

Can laser therapy help with cocaine cravings?

Our drug-free program is designed to help reduce cravings and stress while you change your habits, together with one-on-one counselling. Research on acupuncture for cocaine is limited, so we never offer the laser on its own. Call us and we’ll see if it’s a good fit.

Do I need a referral?

No. Start with a free 15-minute phone assessment.

Where are your clinics?

We have clinics in Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Woodbridge and Oakville.

Sources

• Health Canada: Cocaine and crack
• Health Canada: Canadian Substance Use Survey, 2023 summary
• Bentzley et al., Comparison of Treatments for Cocaine Use Disorder Among Adults, JAMA Network Open, 2021
• Yale University: Acupuncture a promising treatment for cocaine addiction (Avants et al., Archives of Internal Medicine, 2000)
• Yale University: Acupuncture not effective as a stand-alone treatment for cocaine addiction (Margolin et al., JAMA, 2002)
• Cochrane: Auricular acupuncture for cocaine dependence
• HereToHelp BC: Learn about cocaine