Cocaine is a highly addictive and widely used illicit substance, with several million people reporting its use in the United States each year. [1] There are several treatment options for cocaine addiction recovery, ranging from local support groups to inpatient hospital stays, with individual recovery programs tailored to the individual’s needs.
- Cocaine addiction recovery is a long-term, challenging process, with high relapse rates.
- There are several different treatment options available for cocaine addiction recovery, with ongoing research into medical treatment.
- Recognising personal triggers and warning signs can help prevent relapse.
Understanding cocaine addiction recovery
Once an individual recognizes they have a cocaine addiction, acknowledging this and seeking professional help is the first step in recovery. Cocaine addiction recovery is a long-term process, starting with abstinence but continuing beyond this, ensuring a healthy, balanced lifestyle and resilience against triggers for substance use.
Many factors have been shown to increase the chance of a successful long-term recovery, including commitment and belief in abstinence, strong social support, self-help beliefs, and lower depression. [2] Ensuring adequate support during a structured recovery program, alongside being able to identify and react to triggers for substance use, is key to a successful recovery.
Getting help for cocaine use disorder
Recovery is much harder when done alone, so it's important to tell a trusted friend or family member, as well as inform your medical professional, when starting recovery. If you’re unsure who to contact, you can start with SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. They provide 24/7 support for mental health and substance use disorders.
There are often triggers and setbacks during recovery, so being prepared for this by setting out clear routines and removing any drug paraphernalia can help to manage this. It’s also vital to address any underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, that may be contributing to cocaine use. Reaching out to a mental health professional who can help provide support during this process is essential for long-term success.
Treatment options
There are many treatment options for cocaine use disorder, including support groups, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), group therapy, and inpatient rehab. While no single approach is universally most effective, certain methods may work better for specific individuals depending on their circumstances, preferences, and the severity of their use. In many cases, combining multiple approaches leads to the best outcomes.
Currently, there are no medications that are safe and effective in the treatment of cocaine use disorder; however, there is ongoing research in this field. [3] The most promising medications are generally those working on dopamine and GABA neurotransmitter receptors in the brain. [3] More information on cocaine addiction treatment can be found here.
Achieving long-term recovery
Long-term recovery and abstinence are the goals for cocaine addiction treatment, with addiction recovery being a lifelong process. It starts with recognising the addiction and seeking help to become abstinent, which could be achieved via an inpatient stay or monitored in outpatient clinics.
Ongoing engagement in supportive activities, such as therapy and support groups, even after abstinence has been achieved, is vital for maintaining long-term recovery. Other factors, like avoiding triggering scenarios for drug use (locations, people) and having treatment for underlying mental health issues, will all contribute to a successful recovery.
Research has shown that several factors increase the chance of a sustained recovery from cocaine addiction, including: [2]
- Older age
- Lower amount of baseline cocaine use
- Higher abstinence self-efficacy
- Commitment to abstinence
- Strong social support
- Lower depression
Support groups for cocaine addiction
There are several support groups available for those suffering from cocaine addiction, providing both in-person and online support. These include:
- Cocaine Anonymous https://ca.org/
- Narcotics Anonymous https://usa-na.org/
- SMART Recovery https://smartrecovery.org/
- Partnership to End Addiction https://drugfree.org/
- Online forums and chat-based support groups
- Local community groups
Different groups offer a different perspective and approach to addiction recovery. Often, individuals will engage with several different groups before settling on the one that feels right for them.
Overcoming cocaine use relapse
Relapse in cocaine addiction recovery is common, but can often be anticipated by several warning signs associated with cocaine withdrawal. These include: [4]Â
- Fatigue
- Feeling agitated or restless
- Increased appetite
- Vivid dreams and nightmares
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety
If these warning signs are experienced during cocaine detox, it’s important to make your medical professional aware, so they can help with symptom management and prevent cocaine use from restarting.
Beyond the acute withdrawal, some people may experience Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). This can cause a variety of symptoms, including low mood, brain fog, and fatigue for up to a year after the initial withdrawal.
Starting the road to recovery
Starting your recovery journey can seem daunting, but it’s important to remember that there is plenty of support available. Reaching out to supportive family or friends and making contact with a medical professional can help kick-start your recovery. If you’re not sure who to contact first, you can start with SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357, which provides 24/7 support for individuals suffering from substance use.
