Can Cocaine Anonymous Help Me Quit?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Cocaine Anonymous (CA) helps people achieve “recovery from cocaine addiction through a 12-step program, including regular attendance at group meetings.” The program is specifically tailored to cocaine addicts, and many people find help through it. But is it right for you?
12-step Programs and Their Methods
Alcoholics Anonymous (the program CA is based on) has been sought by many as a treatment option for alcoholism, and its offshoot programs are also extremely popular. However, 12-step based programs have different methods than most traditional treatment programs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “This group therapy model draws on the social support offered by peer discussion to help promote and sustain drug-free lifestyles.”
Several of the main concepts of CA as a program include:
- Abstinence, or the complete restraint from abusing mind-altering substances
- Acceptance, which includes the “realization that drug addiction is a chronic, progressive disease over which one has no control” (NIDA)
- Belief in a higher power, giving one’s self over to that power, and asking that it help one in their journey toward recovery
- Surrendering to the support structure of the group and to one’s higher power instead of living simply by one’s own will
- Active involvement in meetings and activities related to the program
Cocaine anonymous is a free form of aftercare that many in recovery find to be effective.
A person can tweak these concepts in order to fit their own recovery and needs. For example, someone who is not religious can choose a non-religious higher power to use in their practice. However, this program is not for everyone, and there are some instances in which a different type of treatment may be better for certain individuals.
Can Cocaine Anonymous Help Me Quit?
CA can certainly be a part of your treatment regimen, and many people use it during and after attending formal treatment. Those who seek it in place of this treatment, though, may struggle because cocaine is a highly addictive drug, and professional treatment is still often necessary to end cocaine abuse and avoid relapse.
The program may be very beneficial to you depending on your needs. If you require a strong social support base because you either do not have one or you would like to meet people who are dealing with the same things you are, CA could be the answer you are looking for. In addition, if you want a flexible option that can also work as aftercare once you have finished your professional treatment, this program could be especially helpful to you.
If you do not believe CA is for you, it is important to remember there are many treatment options available to recovering cocaine addicts. You must find the one(s) that are most beneficial to you, your needs, and your personality. CA is free to attend and meetings occur often, so you can always attend once to find out if the program seems like it might be helpful to you.
If you would like to learn more about cocaine addiction and its treatment options or ask further questions about Cocaine Anonymous, call 800-934-3781(Who Answers?).