Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Cocaine Addiction will drag him down.

Cocaine Addiction

In 2013 alone, an estimated 1.5 million Americans reported using cocaine. Although this figure has steadily declined over the years, cocaine addiction is still a disease that ravages the lives of users and their family members. With the right treatment, however, individuals can overcome addiction and rebuild relationships.

How Cocaine Addiction Develops

Cocaine is a stimulant with highly addictive properties. Unlike other substances where the euphoric effects can last for hours, cocaine’s short-lived effects can leave individuals craving more quickly. This makes it easier for users to develop a tolerance. As tolerance rises, the body needs more cocaine to feel normal.

Over time, a cocaine addiction causes negative physical and behavioral side effects. These can include:

Increased irritability | Anxiety | Paranoia | Cardiovascular and respiratory problems | Stomach ulcers | Psychosis

For those struggling with a cocaine addiction, the best way to overcome it is by attending a licensed and accredited addiction treatment facility.

How to Treat a Cocaine Addiction

The path to cocaine addiction recovery often starts with detox. During a medically monitored detox, cocaine is effectively flushed from the patient’s system. Medical professionals monitor overall health, nutrition and stability during cocaine withdrawal symptoms as well. This process gets patients ready for subsequent addiction treatment.

Most high-quality programs offer multiple levels of care depending upon the severity of an individual’s addiction. Each one offers varying degrees of individual and group therapy. Some even offer alternative therapies to enhance the recovery process.

Common programs include:

Residential or inpatient treatment: Many medical professionals consider residential or inpatient the best option for treatment. Individuals stay on campus 24/7 for a set period of time, usually somewhere between 30–90 days.

Intensive outpatient or outpatient programs: These programs generally offer the same therapies and programs as residential programs. The only difference is that instead of staying at the facility, patients attend treatment and return home. This option is usually reserved for people with inflexible schedules or less severe addiction histories. Regular outpatient is a less stringent form of intensive outpatient.

Partial hospitalization programs: A partial hospitalization program is a form of outpatient treatment. Patients in these programs generally either have a co-occurring medical condition that requires attention or need further stabilization following a medically monitored detox.

During the admissions process, counselors discuss the best course of action, depending upon an individual’s situation.

People struggling with cocaine addiction often have co-occurring mental disorders that make their addiction worse. Whether it’s PTSD, ADHD or another disorder, treating the addiction without treating the underlying cause could lead an individual right back to cocaine.

Behavioral Therapies

The best cocaine addiction treatment facilities are grounded in evidence-based behavioral therapies. Though each technique differs, the goal is to help patients analyze their past behaviors and enact change.

Common behavioral therapies include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) | Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) | Trauma therapy | Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) | Mindfulness training

Finding Help for Cocaine Addiction

For those struggling with cocaine addiction, we have the resources to help. Visit our website to find the treatment center that’s right for you or a loved one.