How Is Cocaine Addiction Treated?

The first and most important thing to note when it comes to cocaine addiction is that there aren’t any FDA-approved medications to treat it. However, this is not to say that cocaine addiction cannot be treated. You can enroll in a rehabilitative program where they’ll determine if you need cognitive behavioral therapy, support group rehabilitation and inpatient or outpatient Los Angeles treatment.

Are you or someone you care about dealing with cocaine addiction? Here’s everything you need to know about treatment options.

Seek Professional Help

Cocaine use disorder, otherwise known as cocaine addiction, results from the compulsive use of the highly addictive stimulant. Individuals who abuse cocaine may disregard the financial, emotional, physical and criminal repercussions that come with cocaine addiction for the “high” it brings. If you are looking to address your cocaine addiction or that of a loved one, it would be best to seek professional help.

You can consult with a counselor, mental health worker, psychiatrist, licensed psychologist or a doctor. They can assess your condition and suggest treatment options to address it.

For instance, some addicts prefer outpatient therapy because it offers a personalized and more flexible way to address the underlying causes of their addiction. You can continue with your normal life at work and home and the best part, you can practice the solutions you learn in therapy in the real world!

Inpatient Treatment Program

Outpatient treatment and therapy aren’t always sufficient to address cocaine addiction, especially if one’s case is severe. In such cases, your doctor may recommend an inpatient or residential program. Inpatient treatment gives you access to support from your counselors and peers and you are removed from situations that could trigger you to use cocaine.

Advantages of Inpatient Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

• Professional Support for Detoxification and Withdrawal

Detoxification is usually followed by withdrawal symptoms which can be unpleasant and difficult, especially if you had been using cocaine for a long time. As such, it is not uncommon for cocaine addicts to put off or avoid detoxing.

Withdrawal symptoms of cocaine may include high blood pressure, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and body aches. Nonetheless, attempting to detox without professional help isn’t recommended. Some withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening if they aren’t treated. Inpatient treatment gives you medical support and access to the right care and medications to ease your detox phase.

• High Rate of Detox Success

While outpatient treatment programs have proved effective in some cases, the patient remains exposed to old friends and settings that could cause them to relapse. With an inpatient treatment program, the patient neither has access to cocaine nor old situations that could trigger a relapse.

• A Community of Peers and Staff Support

Being in a residential drug rehab center grants you 24-hour medical support from professionals who have helped many other patients address their cocaine addiction. This is especially crucial during the detox phase where withdrawal symptoms can derail one’s recovery. Also, being assured of professional help when you need it goes a long way in helping you focus on your progress.

With a community of peers going through the exact same thing as you, you can make supportive friends who understand you and can help you achieve your goal of life-long sobriety.

• Structured Schedule

You’ll have little to no free time in an inpatient drug treatment program. There is a structured schedule to keep you busy so you have no room to fixate on cocaine use, reducing your chances of relapsing.

The professional staff in a rehab facility also have access to your medical history and vitals. They can determine whether you are responding to treatment or need an alternative form of care. They can also customize your treatment plan to meet your needs.

• Focus on Recovery

Residential drug rehab facilities may prohibit unmonitored visits and limit phone calls. The separation from the outside world and the people you know allows you to focus on yourself with minimal distractions. Some inpatient programs offer alternative treatment options that help you take care of yourself as you recover. They include exercise routines, massage therapy, meditation and yoga to release stress and boost mental and physical health. You’ll also learn tools to help you deal with stressful situations and relapse triggers.

The first step toward addressing cocaine addiction is accepting that you have a problem. Thereafter you can seek professional help and enroll in a program that best suits your needs. While inpatient programs are best for prolonged cocaine use and addiction, a doctor may recommend outpatient treatment if your problem isn’t severe.