Cocaine Addiction Treatment Options and Settings

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug. Chronic use can lead to cocaine addiction.¹ You can choose from different options for cocaine addiction treatment that can help you or your loved one recover.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment Settings

It can be challenging to know which setting is the best fit for you. Becoming familiar with the different settings for cocaine addiction treatment can help you find what you need. When choosing a treatment center, you should consider important logistical factors, such as finances or location. However, the most important factor to consider is if the level of care provided matches the amount of care you need to make progress.

Inpatient

Inpatient treatment is intensive 24/7 care. If you attend an inpatient cocaine addiction treatment center, you will live at the facility for your entire treatment stay. Inpatient treatment may be a good fit for you if:²

• You do not have a lot of social support outside of treatment.
• You have tried to control your substance use and have not been able to.
• Your substance use disorder or other mental health conditions are putting you or other people in danger (e.g., if you are suicidal or have a history of self-harm)

Each cocaine rehab may offer different types of therapies, services, and interventions. However, typically a center will provide a combination of medication, therapy, and case management services. Therapy in rehab can include individual, group, and family therapy.

If you or your loved one is a teen and is going to a cocaine treatment center, a teen rehab may include activities and services that will keep a teen engaged in the treatment process. For example, there may be more of an emphasis on peer relationships since this is an important aspect of adolescent development.³

Aside from providing 24/7 care, a key difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment is that many rehab facilities utilize a therapeutic community approach as part of treatment.² This means that the relationships you form with other people in treatment, such as peers, staff, and treatment providers, are used to help you with your treatment goals.

For example, some people who deal with substance misuse use substances to deal with relational conflict. In a therapeutic community, you would have the opportunity to learn more relational skills and learn how to handle relational challenges without relying on substances.

Partial Hospitalization

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are a type of intensive outpatient care. The term “partial hospitalization” can be confusing since this level of care is not in a hospital or as intensive as a hospital stay. A PHP for cocaine misuse typically lasts several hours per day, several days per week. For example, someone in a PHP program may go to treatment for seven hours a day, five to six times a week.

PHPs are less intensive than an inpatient cocaine addiction treatment center because clients do not live there. If a PHP program is appropriate for you, you will only attend the center for treatment. You will live somewhere else, such as at home or in a sober living facility. Each PHP is different but tends to be structured with certain services and activities.

A PHP may be a good fit for you if you have support that can be there for you outside of treatment hours. PHPs may also be a good option if you are not able to live away from home due to work, school, or family responsibilities.²

Intensive Outpatient

Like PHP, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) also allow you to live away from the facility. IOP programs provide less care than a PHP. Some IOP programs may provide treatment for three to four hours per day, up to five days per week. IOP programs may allow you to work in addition to attending treatment.

IOP can be a good option for you if you have good social support outside of treatment and are able to keep yourself safe when you are not in treatment.² For example, if someone was actively suicidal, IOP would likely not be a good fit.

Standard Outpatient

Standard outpatient is the least intensive level of care available for cocaine addiction. You may see different providers in outpatient care, such as a psychiatrist or mental health therapist. An outpatient therapist may see their clients a few times per week, while some people may only need to see a therapist one to two times per month. How often you see your outpatient provider is dependent on how much care you need and their availability.

Therapies for Cocaine Addiction

Treatment professionals use certain therapeutic approaches to treat cocaine addiction. Each of these modalities can be integrated into any treatment setting. For example, the modalities used in an inpatient cocaine rehab can be the same modalities that a therapist uses in standard outpatient. Common treatment approaches for cocaine addiction are medication and behavioral therapies.

Medication

Currently, no medications are approved to treat cocaine use.⁴ However, medication can help treat other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. These and other symptoms are treated by medical staff as they appear. Getting medication for co-occurring conditions can help during your recovery process.³ Some people who misuse cocaine may also use other substances, such as opioids or alcohol. If you use another substance, such as opioids or alcohol, medications can help you come off these substances safely.⁴

Behavioral Therapies

Treatment professionals can use behavioral therapies to help you reach your recovery goals. Some research-based therapeutic modalities are:⁵

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a therapeutic modality that helps people develop coping skills to prevent relapse. It can be difficult to tolerate urges or cravings during recovery. Coping skills can help you tolerate these cravings. Some people may also turn to cocaine use to deal with difficult emotions or life situations. Finding coping skills to replace cocaine use would be important during the recovery process.
• Contingency Management (CM): CM is an approach that gives clients rewards for reaching therapy goals or staying sober. For example, a treatment center might provide a reward if you have a clear drug test. Other types of incentives could be prizes for participating in treatment.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is an approach that can be used in individual or group therapy. This modality aims to help you improve your ability to cope with emotional distress. Like CBT, DBT can help you build up your coping skills to help prevent relapse. DBT also focuses on relational skills, such as conflict management and assertive communication. Relational skills can be helpful to build during the recovery process because the quality of your relationships can influence your recovery. For example, if you can ask clearly for support from others, then you are more likely to get the support you need.

Benefits of Attending Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Some benefits of attending cocaine addiction treatment include:^4,6

• Change in beliefs and attitudes about drug use
• Increase in healthy life skills
• Support with stopping drug use
• Decreased risk of health complications due to cocaine use, such as the risk of overdose
• Improved ability to function in work, school, and relationships
• Decreased involvement in criminal activity

Choosing the Right Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center

Your needs during recovery may be different from other people’s needs. Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach. You should consider your unique needs. Some factors to consider are:

• Location
• Price
• Insurance coverage (Does the center take your insurance? Are they cash pay only?)
• Patient-to-staff ratio
• Treatment philosophy
• Therapeutic modalities offered
• Amenities

How to Find a Program

There are a few ways that you can find a cocaine rehab. If you are currently seeing a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, psychiatrist, or mental health clinician, you can ask for referrals. Another option if you have private insurance through your employer is to call them and ask for a list of in-network treatment centers. You can also search online for a cocaine addiction treatment center near you. From there, you can call them and ask about their services to determine if it is a good fit for you.

If you or someone you love could benefit from cocaine addiction treatment, please call 866-968-5444Who Answers? to speak with a treatment specialist.

Resources

1. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Cocaine.
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (January 2018). Types of Treatment Programs.
3. Maurer, M.A., & Fields, S.A. (2022, Jan) How to screen for and treat teen alcohol use. The Journal of Family Practice, 71, 31-34.
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (January 2019). Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction DrugFacts.
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (May 2016). How is cocaine addiction treated?
6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (January 2018). How effective is drug addiction treatment?