Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction
While addiction can most certainly be treated, it is not a simple process. Since addiction is what is known as a chronic disease, cocaine addicts cannot just stop using the drug for a number of days and consider themselves ‘cured’. The majority of patients require repeated or long-term care to completely abstain from the drug and improve their lives. Cocaine addiction treatment will help the addict to stop using cocaine, stay cocaine-free and be productive in society, the family and at work.
There are a variety of treatment options available for cocaine addiction. Inpatient and outpatient treatment are two of the most common treatments that are both pharmacological and behavioural in nature. Inpatient facilities accommodate the addict for the entire duration of their treatment, whilst outpatient treatment requires the patient to attend regular appointments at a clinic or centre in order to receive treatment.
A large problem with a number of treatment options is that they cease once the user leaves the treatment facility. However, cocaine recovery requires a longer duration in order to prevent the addict from relapsing.
Behavioural Therapy
Treating cocaine addiction through medication can lead to higher chances of relapse in the future, if it is not combined with behavioural therapy and intensive counselling. These therapies are vital for addressing the causes of cocaine use, along with triggers and other important details. Recovering cocaine addicts often have a number of problems as a result of their addiction, such as broken or destroyed relationships, financial issues, unemployment and, occasionally, criminal offences.
Combine the emotional experience of cocaine withdrawal with these various stress factors and it is easy to see why a lot of support is necessary for a healthy recovery.
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Motivational incentives
Motivational incentives (MI) or contingency management can help patients successfully abstain from cocaine initially, and help them stay in treatment as well. Programmes that utilise MI use a prize-based or voucher system to reward patients who abstain from using cocaine. With every urine test that shows drug-free results, the patients earn chips, or points, that can be exchanged for healthy living items, such as restaurant vouchers and gym memberships.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an effective method for preventing relapse. It focuses on assisting cocaine addicts to abstain, and stay abstinent, from the drug. CBT is based on the understanding that learning processes play a vital role in cocaine abuse development and continuation. These learning processes can also be used to assist addicts in reducing drug use and preventing relapse. The aim of CBT is to help patients identify, avoid and manage their addiction.
For example, patients are taught how to recognise circumstances that cause them to use cocaine, to stay away from these circumstances or situations whenever they can, and to manage problems and behaviours that stem from their addiction in a more effective manner. CBT also stands out because it is compatible with a large variety of other treatments that patients may receive. -
12 Step Programme
A 12 Step programme can also be beneficial to cocaine addicts who are trying to stay abstinent. 12 Step programmes tend to take place in community-based recovery groups, like Cocaine Anonymous. They help participants by providing them with a supportive community that allows for open sharing and discussions about common issues and problems.
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Therapeutic Communities
Residential programmes, or therapeutic communities (TCs), are another option for people who are in need of cocaine addiction treatment. These programmes typically require several months stay and utilises the programme’s whole community to assist in treatment. They often include onsite occupational rehabilitation and a variety of supportive services to assist the recovering addict in successful reintegration into society.
Regardless of what treatment the patients undergo, it is vital that they receive all the services that they require. For example, a patient who has a broken relationship due to their addiction can benefit from couples counselling, whilst another who is unemployed may need career counselling or vocational rehabilitation, in addition to addiction treatment.
Treatment must be customised to suit the needs of each and every patient in order to maximise outcomes. Though pharmacological approaches can help with one aspect of the addiction, the patient will have to rely on treatment, counsellors, professionals, recovery groups and a support system during the process. Medication might curb cocaine cravings and assist with the side effects of withdrawal, but they must be used in combination with other treatment methods to eventually lead to a drug-free life.
Pharmacological Approaches
Modafinil etc. These pharmacological remedies may assist with the initial cravings, however, their effectiveness remains as long as its use is continued. Unfortunately, persistent use may cause the patient to become physically and psychologically addicted to these drugs. In essence, pharmacological solutions may offer a viable addition to the treatment plan, nevertheless, they should not be considered as a replacement to behavioural approaches which have proven to be more effective in the long run.
If you or your loved one need help with finding the right treatment centre that utilise a behavioural approach to treating cocaine addiction, give us a call or contact us and speak with our professional counsellor today.