Cocaine is known as a “party drug”, but when that party’s over, so is the fun. Cocaine use can lead to a whole host of issues that you’ll carry throughout your life, and if you use it, you’re not alone.
There are over 1.9 million active cocaine users in the United States, making it one of the most commonly abused substances in the country. Luckily, there are ways out of its grip when you’re ready. Let’s talk about cocaine addiction treatment and what to expect.
I’ve Decided To Quit. Now What?
If you’ve decided to stop using cocaine, it wasn’t a moment too soon. Cocaine is a serious drug that is very widespread throughout the United States and takes countless lives.
Overdose isn’t the only risk to cocaine use. You may take the right dosage of cocaine every time, but it will still lead to serious long-term health problems that can stay with you for the rest of your life. Cocaine also leads to other addictions, especially fentanyl, which is being found more and more in cocaine. That dramatically increases your chances of overdosing as well.
What else? Cocaine, like any substance, increasing your chance of automobile accidents, arrests, incarceration, relationship issues, and more. If you’re ready to take all of that extra weight off of your shoulders, then good for you. It’s time to learn about your treatment options. If you’re worried about paying for treatment, find out what your insurance covers.
Cocaine Addiction Treatment Options
If you find yourself tempted to start this journey alone, there are serious risks that come with that. The first is getting through the detoxing process. Getting through that alone is medically dangerous, especially for people who have been using cocaine for a longer period of time, but it’s also extremely difficult.
If you have the ability to give up, you may find the detoxing process too hard to overcome. Even if you get through that part yourself, the rest isn’t easy. The detoxing process lasts 1 to 2 weeks. Sobriety lasts a lifetime. That’s where treatment comes in.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient or residential treatment is the treatment you’ll receive while living in a facility. It is important, especially during the detox period, to get you through the hardest and most critical parts of recovery.
Most inpatient treatments will provide counseling for you (and maybe your family), support groups, detox assistance, recreational services to get you through the process, and the tools you’ll need to make it on your own.
Getting through the detox phase is difficult, and may need to be overseen by a doctor to avoid complications. However, you’ll also need to get through the next critical stages and be able to walk away with the tools and knowledge to live a happy, fulfilling, and sober life.
Inpatient treatment provides an environment without substances and with trained staff on-site to assist you at any time of the day, making it the best option at the start of your journey. However, you will have to go back to living your life after, which is where outpatient treatment comes in.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment is the treatment you receive while still living at home. This option will work for those who have successfully made it through the detox process and have remained sober through the critical period.
Outpatient treatment can offer the same services as inpatient treatment, only without a controlled, substance-free environment. The risk of using outpatient treatments in the early stages is the ability to walk away and go back to using substances. Because of this, it’s often best to start with inpatient treatment for those at a high risk of relapsing, especially in the early stages. Outpatient treatment is still excellent after the fact.
Therapy is a common form of treatment and will be necessary for anybody with a dual diagnosis, which is a diagnosis of an underlying mental health disorder along with substance abuse disorder. Regardless of whether you attended inpatient treatment or not, this is always a good option for anybody at any stage of recovery.
Another common form of outpatient treatment is attending support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Here, you’ll be placed with plenty of other people at different stages on their journeys, along with a trained facilitator. This will give you points of contact, continuous support, and a reminder that you are not alone.
There are also medication treatments you could receive from your doctor, as well as other options you could consult with a medical professional about.
Now, we said that inpatient treatment is better in the early stages, but the only bad treatment is the one that never happened. Take the leap, get the treatment that seems right for you, and if it doesn’t work, try something else. 10% of US adults will experience substance abuse disorder in their lifetime, and few will get treatment. Anything you do is better than nothing.
What To Expect After Treatment
Ideally, treatment will never truly end. You should be attending meetings or therapy sessions over the long term, but we know that isn’t the case for everybody. Once you have completed your inpatient treatment, you should expect certain sacrifices and difficulties throughout your journey.
This is a marathon, not a sprint. Take recovery seriously and understand that no matter how easy it may seem at one point, there will be difficult times. That’s what you need to prepare for, and luckily, there are ways to do that.
Managing Cravings
The good news is that once detoxification is over and you’ve spent some time away from cocaine or another substance, your cravings will be a little easier to tolerate. That doesn’t mean they go away, but they will be different.
You will need to find what works for you to help you manage your cravings or impulses. That will be different for everybody. It could be playing an instrument, talking to a loved one, going for a run, or anything that helps you. Just know that once you find it, it becomes a lot easier.
Finding New Friends
One of the biggest challenges on the path to sobriety is cutting old ties. Unfortunately, being around people who enabled your drug abuse, especially ones who are still actively participating in it, is just simply not an option.
Being around those people will only bring back strong memories and make you want to use substances again. This will ultimately lead to relapse over enough time, which makes it necessary to avoid. Making sober friends who share some of your passions is the best thing you can do for a successful journey.
Avoiding Certain Environments
Much like changing your friend groups, certain sceneries can make sobriety a lot more challenging. Doing your best to stay out of environments that pose an extra challenge to your sobriety will help you a lot. One small change could be the difference between consistent sobriety and repeated relapse.
If there was a place you used to hang out a lot when using cocaine, try your best to avoid that place. If being in your bedroom at home is overwhelming for you, try redecorating or moving to a different room. Try to avoid any unnecessary hurdles.
Asking For Help
It’s okay to reach out for help after receiving treatment. Getting through detox and going through treatment does not guarantee success, by any means. You aren’t expected to walk out of treatment and never have another craving again, or to never think about going back to using. It’s part of recovery and it gets easier with time.
However, there’s no reason at all to suffer alone when that’s happening. You need a support system in place. A therapist is a good start, and attending meetings along with it is even better. However, having a loved one with whom you spend a lot of time is also very beneficial. Reach out and tell them how you’re feeling, especially if a relapse feels imminent.
If you’re at a party, a social gathering, or in a setting that otherwise makes you uncomfortable, reach out to that support right away. It could save you a lot of trouble down the road.
Don’t Put It Off
Now that you know a little about cocaine addiction treatment, every day you wait is a day you stay at risk. Do what’s right for you and find a treatment facility in your area. Be sure to contact us with any questions and start your journey today!