Cocaine, a white powdery substance, produces energy and euphoria when it’s snorted, rubbed on the gums, injected, or smoked, and it reacts with the central nervous system. It stimulates high levels of dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasurable feelings, which can lead to addiction. Over time, cocaine abuse negatively affects every part of the body and can have serious consequences, particularly for the heart.

Cocaine addiction is dangerous and can be extremely difficult to recover from on one’s own — even if you want to. A trusted treatment provider like Sunlight Recovery can provide a safe and effective way to get clean through medically supervised detox, inpatient rehabilitation programs, and therapy and support services.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Treatment for cocaine addiction typically begins with a period of medically supervised detox, followed by a program of inpatient rehabilitation. As you learn new coping strategies and your body recovers from the mental and physical toll of addiction, you may graduate to an outpatient program. Many people in recovery also continue to seek help and support staying clean through ongoing therapy, 12-step programs, and support groups. The descriptions below can provide more information on what is involved in cocaine addiction recovery and what to expect from each step of the process.

Detox

Detox is the process of removing cocaine from your system and is the first step in cocaine addiction treatment. Withdrawal symptoms for cocaine use can include uncontrolled shaking, fatigue, headache, nausea, difficulty concentrating or thinking, and intense cravings. Medical supervision is important as your body goes through withdrawal to ensure the process is as safe and comfortable as possible.

How long the detox phase can take depends on how long the person has been using cocaine and how much. For most people, the strongest withdrawal symptoms subside within two weeks.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

Once you’ve gotten the drug out of your system, the rehabilitation process can begin. Inpatient programs provide a more structured environment that can help you stay clean and provide access to the resources you need to learn how to stay sober once you graduate.

Inpatient rehab for cocaine generally lasts one to three months, depending on the treatment center and the person’s individual needs. During your stay at an inpatient rehab, you can expect to attend individual and group therapy and participate in stress-relieving activities, such as exercise and art therapy. Your care team will meet with you regularly to talk about how you’re feeling and your progress to determine when it’s time to transition out of the program.

Outpatient Programs

An outpatient program may be the next step in your recovery journey after inpatient rehab, but some people start here with a partial hospitalization program or intensive outpatient program that involves daily sessions. The main difference between this and inpatient rehab is that participants go home at night, which can make it easier to take care of family responsibilities.

Like inpatient rehab, outpatient programs provide individual and group counseling sessions and may offer family therapy to address larger dysfunctional patterns that may have contributed to the person’s addiction.

Ongoing Recovery and Support

Graduating from rehab doesn’t mean the end of your recovery journey, and going back out into “real” life can mean experiencing triggers, whether those are people you used to use with or a stressful job or family environment. You’ll need to continue using the strategies and coping skills you’ve learned to stay sober. Having accountability partners, attending 12-step groups, continuing with therapy, and understanding the risks and prevention strategies for relapse can help you continue to meet your sober living goals. A good treatment program will help connect you with aftercare resources and support.

What to Look for in a Cocaine Addiction Treatment Program

When you’re choosing an addiction treatment program, it’s important to find a center that has experience treating cocaine addiction specifically. Having experienced health care providers on your team can help you navigate detox more comfortably and ensure that you get the support you need in your recovery.

It can also be helpful to look for providers who are experienced in dual diagnosis care. It’s not uncommon for addiction and mental health issues to go hand in hand. Whether you are already aware you have a mental health condition or believe one may be contributing to your cocaine use, dual diagnosis treatment can ensure that both your addiction and your mental health are included in your care plan.

A quality treatment program should offer a variety of therapy modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Both of these therapies are effective in helping people overcome addiction and address the underlying thought and behavior patterns that can drive people to use.

Depending on your needs and interests, you may want to consider a program that offers specific activities or holistic and alternative therapies. Someone who loves animals, for example, may enjoy participating in pet or equine therapy. Another who enjoys connecting with nature may want to look for a program that has a garden or grounds where they can walk outside.

Any cocaine addiction treatment program should also offer aftercare support and relapse prevention education. The truth is that you don’t walk out of rehab “cured.” It’s likely that you will need to continue to address triggers and potentially make major changes to your life to support your recovery. Having an understanding of what this looks like and what’s normal can help you have realistic expectations and a plan for maintaining your sobriety for life.

Take the First Step Toward Getting the Help You Need

Like many chronic medical conditions, a cocaine addiction can be successfully managed with treatment. However, if you seek treatment, the outcome of your treatment will depend upon the extent of your addiction and finding the right treatment for your situation. This should include treatment of the addiction as well as the health complications that result from it. Often, the quality of the relationship you have with your treatment providers can play a role in the success of treatment.

Successful treatment also includes continual evaluation and modification of a care plan to ensure you are receiving the proper treatment at the right time. Receiving ongoing treatment with the support of dedicated health care professionals can help you overcome your addiction.

If you or a loved one is addicted to cocaine and you know it is time to stop, we are here to help. Our compassionate team of counselors at Sunlight Recovery is standing by 24/7 to take your call. Contact us today and start your journey to recovery!