Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 7/12/2006

Question
I am curious as to the length of time it can be expected before the psychological effects of cocaine may wear off.  During the use of cocaine for approx 3 years I noticed an increase in irritability and the other obvious side effects.  I have been completely away from the substance and former lifestyle for about 10 weeks now.  I notice that I still get more irritable and mood swings such as anxiety and irritability.  Although these have started to decrease in time and intensity I still notice I am not as balanced as I was before starting the use of cocaine.  Is there an average length of time it takes to see these effects normalize?

Thank you

Answer
Dear Eric,

I must congratulate you for stopping taking cocaine. This is very hard for you I know.

Withdrawing from cocaine is only the first step in treatment.

When you withdraw from drugs you have the deal with the physiological condition that brought you to enjoy the drug in the first place.
Most addicts have a metabolic disorder, that existed BEFORE taking drugs, and this needs to be treated first. The use of cocaine may have aggravated that condition.

Most drug addicts are found to be hypoglycemic according to medical tests.

See:

The four hour medical Test for Hypoglycemia explained at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/testing_hypoglycemia.html

This can also be tested with the

The Nutrition-Behavior Inventory Questionnaire (NBI) at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/nutrition-behavior_inventory.html

If you score high you are likely to be hypoglycemic.

Hypoglycemia is also the cause of your mood swings and irritability. You may have been so BEFORE drug taking but in a milder  form.

Hypoglycemia means that your brain is not getting sufficient amounts of glucose. This is the source of biological energy that the brain needs to manufacture the feel good neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

This is caused by Insulin resistance. This can be treated by going on a hypoglycemic diet as a first step in the treatment of addiction.

Drugs may have damaged receptor for health neurochemicals and this may take s]in some cases one year. The body can rebuild receptors with a high protein low "refined carbohydrate" diet, supplemented with nutritional supplements.

To understand this al please read:

What is Hypoglycemia? at::
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/what_is_hypo.html

The Serotonin Connection at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/serotonin_connection.html

“Treatment of Drug Addiction”
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/treatment_drug_addiction.html

“Alcoholism is a Treatable Disease” at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/alcoholism_treatable.html

(Same principles involved with cocaine addiction).

We also have a

Self-help PSYCHOTHERAPY course at;
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/i-psychotherapy.html

Going on a hypoglycemic diet will help you to overcome the withdrawal symptoms and emotional instability.

Best of luck Eric.

Jurriaan Plesman BA (Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr.
Author of "Getting off the Hook" (Google Book Search)
For more free articles
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au