Cocaine is a white powder that causes a feeling of euphoria and excessive energy. With 2 million Americans addicted to cocaine, treatment options are continuing to grow. It is important to know the different treatment options for cocaine addiction in order to achieve a life of sobriety. 

Cocaine Addiction: Treatment Options

Treatment options for cocaine addiction are changing and growing as more is learned about addiction. But the one thing that remains consistent is not one single person‘s addiction is like another’s. So each person‘s journey to sobriety is different. One important thing to look for in treatment is a plan that treats the addiction and the underlying issues that led to the addiction.

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a highly addictive substance that rewires the circuits in the brain triggering addiction. Cocaine is a stimulant that increases energy, alertness, and intense happiness and self-confidence. 

It does this by increasing dopamine production and decreasing the absorption rate. But when coming down from a cocaine high it produces a severe state of depression and suicidal thoughts. Cocaine can cause addiction after just a few uses and can cause a lifetime of health issues. The earlier the treatment the better, but it is never too late to seek sobriety.

Deciding to Become Sober

When you decide to get sober the treatment options can be overwhelming. Sometimes you may feel that it is easier to just get high. Sobriety will not be easy but it will be worth it. So let’s make it a little easier by breaking down the different treatments for cocaine addiction and where to get the best care.

What Are Treatment Options For Cocaine Addiction?

Thankfully, there are various treatment options for those suffering from cocaine addiction. Each person will be given a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific recovery needs. Everyone is different, therefore, treatment methods will vary. 

Treatment methods are chosen based on certain factors including the severity of one’s addiction, how long has the addiction lasted, family history (has there been any history of substance abuse or cocaine use in the family), etc. 

The most common methods to treat cocaine abuse include the following: 

Cocaine Detox

The safest way to detox off cocaine is in a medically supervised environment. The physical side effects are minimal but the mental detox from cocaine addiction can be severe and require medical intervention. Weaning off cocaine is a dangerous method of detoxing so going ”cold turkey” under supervision is the safest way to detox.

Symptoms of Cocaine Detox

• Restless behavior 
• Intense cravings
• Vivid nightmares and dreams
• Severe fatigue/exhaustion 
• Depression- minor to severe
• Chills
• Insomnia
• Impaired memory
• Poor concentration 
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations 
• Dehydration 

Three Phases of Detox

 

• The Crash- Lasting only a few days, it can cause exhaustion, depression, irritability, anxiety and increased hunger.

• Withdrawal- This phase can last a few months. As you work through the cravings it can cause fatigue, mood swings, irritability, and poor concentration.

• Extinction- Intense cravings will come and go for approximately 6 months while your body rids itself of the traces of cocaine.

 

Inpatient Program

An inpatient program is a well structured and supervised live-in program. An inpatient program averages 30 to 90 days and includes multiple treatment options along with a drug-free environment. Every program offers a little something different but the most common programs include the following.

• Mental health therapy- individual and group therapy helps get to the root of the issues that led down the path of addiction and together teaches healthy coping methods
• Cognitive behavior therapy- goal-oriented treatment that uses hands-on learning to teach healthy coping methods
• Support groups- allows addicts to share their stories with people who understand
• 12 step program- a program where addicts can seek support and will be held accountable for their sobriety with the help of a mentor
• Relapse prevention- teaches coping skills for a lifetime of sobriety
• Aftercare planning- helps put a plan in place in case you feel like you are going to relapse

Some inpatient programs also offer:

• Equine therapy-working with horses has been beneficial with providing people with mental stability
• Art therapy- used to express feelings and emotions that can’t be expressed with words
• Yoga-improves stress, anxiety and depression
• Meditation- helps calm the mind and body
• Acupuncture-used to restore the balance of the mind and body
• Nutrition- good eating habits help a person feel good
• Hypnotism- has been proven to prevent cravings
• Homeopathic therapy-natural remedies for a person’s mental and physical symptoms

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient programs allow patients to still work and go to school while receiving treatment. On average a patient will spend 12 hours a week in treatment. While in outpatient treatment, an addict will go attend group and individual counseling and will work on coping on life’s challenges while staying sober. 

An outpatient program works best for someone with a mild addiction because of the lack of supervision. Outpatient programs last an average of three to six months, but some addicts attend an outpatient program for a year. Though every rehab center has different programs, the following are the most common.

• Mental health therapy- individual and group therapy helps get to the root of the issues that led down the path of addiction and together teaches healthy coping methods
• Cognitive behavior therapy- goal-oriented treatment that uses hands-on learning to teach healthy coping methods
• Support groups- allows addicts to share their stories with people who understand
• 12 step program- a program where addicts can seek support and will be held accountable for their sobriety with the help of a mentor
• Relapse prevention- teaches coping skills for a lifetime of sobriety
• Aftercare planning- helps put a plan in place in case you feel like you are going to relapse

Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)

Intensive Outpatient Treatment allows a person to still go to work or school but requires more intense work than a regular outpatient program. IOP requires the patient to do individually as well as group counseling sessions. IOP’s main focus is on stress management, conflict resolution, socialization, staying sober, changing negative behaviors and thoughts. 

They also teach the patient how to set and achieve goals and how to hold themselves accountable. For every session, the focus is to help the patient dig deep and fix the problems that led to addiction, which will help the patient stay sober. Intensive Outpatient treatment programs last from 12 to 16 weeks before reaching the maintenance phase, which can last many months. 

Common Services offered in Intensive Outpatient treatment:

• Some detoxification– Only for some minor addictions
• Individual Counseling– Focusing on changing learned behaviors 
• Group Counseling– Intensive outpatient treatment’s focus is on intensive group therapy relearn sober behaviors, learn positive communication skills, structure and help guide patients to sobriety.
• Family Counseling– Works with patients and their families to rebuild the relationship addiction destroyed.
• Medication Management– Medication can help patients fight the battle against depression and addiction.

Partial Hospitalization Treatment Program

Partial Hospitalization Treatment programs (PHP) offer the most intense non-inpatient care. A partial hospitalization program is very helpful for patients with a cocaine addiction who need a more structured program and for those who do not meet the criteria for the intense inpatient programs. Patients go to work and school and go home at night, but are required to attend 4-6 hours a day in treatment sessions.

In treatment, addicts will participate in:

• Individual Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Family Counseling
• Medical requirements
• Nutritional Counseling
• Relapse prevention education
• Exercise and recreational activities

PHP is not the first step in treatment, but a step-down program after an addict has completed an inpatient program but still needs structured guidance. PHP’s focus on the root of the addiction and teaching patients how to live a sober life. Therapy sessions teach self-confidence, decision-making skills, and effective communication

People who complete a PHP program have a better chance at a life of sobriety.

Therapy in Treatment

Therapy is a very important step in achieving sobriety success. To live a healthy and successful life, you have to be given the right tools. Therapy is designed to get to the root of the problems and heal the person from the inside. A patient with cocaine addiction benefits greatly from therapy. They are given guidance on how to handle all aspects of their addiction. Patients go through Behavioral Modification, Cognitive Therapy, and Alternative treatments. 

Behavioral Modification Therapy

Behavior modification is a therapeutic approach designed to change unwanted negative behavior. The patient and the therapist together identify what triggers negative behavior and the best way to encourage positive behaviors. 

Behavior Modification therapy rewards positive choices and takes away a reward for negative choices. Removing a reward is not a punishment, but a way to make a person think of better ways to approach a problem. Patients have typically lived their life in survival mode, making choices to keep their addiction fed. Addicts have to be retrained on how to live a healthy and sober life.

Behavioral modification commonly uses the following methods:

• Modeling- Teaching positive behaviors through mock scenarios and demonstrating how things are done the sober way.
• Cueing- Helps addicts discover what their triggers are and how changing their environment will produce positive responses.
• Avoidance- Teaches addicts how to avoid people, places, and things that trigger cravings.
• Fear Management– Builds techniques to handle what life throws at an addict with confidence.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy believes that when you change the way an addict sees themselves, it will change their behavior. Patients who suffer from an addiction to cocaine also have very low self-esteem. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on a hands-on approach to solving life’s problems. 

CBT helps identify what has crushed an addict’s self-esteem and how to build it back up. This type of therapy makes an addict face the root of their addiction and what led them to where they are. Once an addict starts to heal emotionally, it encourages positive choices which leads to a higher chance of a life of sobriety. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps patients with the following issues:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Anger issues
• Childhood traumas
• Eating disorders 
• Sleep problems 
• Relationship problem

Alternative Therapies For Cocaine Addiction 

As more and more is learned about treating cocaine addiction, treatment programs continue to evolve to help their patients find success. These alternative therapies focus on four main elements, mind, body, soul, and environment. 

It is a whole lifestyle change and requires a high level of commitment from the patient; it also requires a patient to be completely open and honest and willing to look at the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their life. This is not a quick process, but with hard work, it can be highly beneficial to a life of sobriety. 

Alternative Therapies may include:

• Meditation
• Breathing exercises
• Guided imagery
• Self-hypnosis
• Relaxation
• Yoga
• Exercise

What To Do Next 

Now that you know what types of cocaine addiction treatments are out there, it is time to find the right treatment center to help you. But with all the choices in treatment centers, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for you. 

The main things to consider when making your choice are, what your goals are, does the treatment center offer the types of programs that will be beneficial to you, and feel confident that the staff can help you. The staff at the treatment center and your feelings of security are going to play a big part in a successful life of sobriety. 

Ken Seeley Rehab Can Help You Recover 

The licensed and caring therapists and addiction specialists of Ken Seeley Rehab are waiting to help you discover a beautiful life of sobriety. Don’t wait, take the step toward a better life and click here. A member of our staff is waiting to help you.

References:

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction