How to get help with cocaine use disorder

Many people find that stopping or cutting back on cocaine use can feel difficult, especially when cravings or comedowns become more intense. Over time, repeated cocaine use can affect mood, sleep, motivation, and overall health. 

Cocaine use disorder is a medical condition that changes how your brain responds to reward signals and motivation. Studies have found that brief medical interventions for risky or moderate cocaine use can be surprisingly effective. Even a single visit with a provider who understands how substance dependency works can interrupt harmful patterns.

Getting help for cocaine use disorder

Some people find it helpful to reflect on patterns when thinking about whether additional support might be useful. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you decide where things stand:

• Have I been using more than I plan to?
• Am I using it just to feel normal and functional?
• Am I thinking about cocaine when I’m not using it?
• Has coming down been feeling worse and worse?
• Have I been trying to hide or downplay my use?
• Am I having trouble cutting back or stopping?
  

If you’ve said “yes” to any of these, a solid first step is reaching out to a professional who can help with cocaine use disorder. You can start with a primary care provider, a telemedicine provider, or an addiction specialist. They’ll walk you through your options and what happens next.

Cocaine addiction treatment options

Treatment for cocaine addiction doesn’t automatically mean going straight to inpatient rehab. For many, it starts with talking to a provider. During the visit, they’ll ask about your use, how it’s affecting you, and what’s been going on with your health. From there, they’ll help you figure out what kind of support makes sense for where you’re at. 

Treatment plans vary based on individual needs and may include therapy, outpatient care, inpatient care, or a combination of approaches. Not everyone needs the same level of care, and treatment timelines are shaped by health, circumstances, and personal goals.

Inpatient rehabilitation

Inpatient rehabilitation provides structured care in a residential setting with 24/7 medical and therapeutic support. This allows you to focus on your recovery away from triggers and daily stressors.

Recommended for: People with severe cocaine use disorder who have relapsed, have other mental or physical health conditions, or do not have a stable home environment.

Duration: 28 to 90 days, depending on your needs and progress.

What to expect: Daily therapy, support groups, medical and mental health care, structured routines, and limited outside distractions. 

What comes next: Transitioning into a partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient treatment, or regular outpatient therapy.

Inpatient rehab is the most intensive option when outpatient care isn’t enough. 

Outpatient treatment programs

Outpatient treatment programs allow you to live at home so you can maintain work, school, or family responsibilities while getting care for cocaine use disorder. Options include partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and standard outpatient therapy.

Recommended for: People who are stepping down from inpatient care or those with mild to moderate cocaine use disorder who have strong home support and stable employment.

Duration: Varies depending on the treatment intensity and your progress.

• PHPs: 5 to 6 hours daily, 5 days/week
• IOPs: 3 hours daily, 3 to 5 days/week
• Standard outpatient: 1 or 2 sessions weekly
  

What to expect: Individual therapy, group counseling, behavioral treatment, relapse prevention planning, and regular check-ins with medical or mental health providers.

What comes next: Gradually reducing session frequency and adding peer support groups for ongoing recovery.

Outpatient treatment is less expensive than inpatient rehab and works best when you have stable support at home and can stay committed to regular sessions. 

Behavioral therapies

Therapy is a key part of treatment for cocaine use disorder. These three approaches have been extensively studied and consistently shown to help people recover:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches you to recognize the thoughts and situations that lead to using, and gives you tools to respond in healthier ways.
• Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) helps you build a life that supports recovery by connecting you with positive activities, people, and goals.
• Contingency Management (CM) rewards you for staying sober and showing up to treatment using vouchers, gift cards, privileges, cash, or prizes. 
  

You may use one of these or a combination, depending on what works best for you. 

Medications & medical support

Medications have shown minimal impact on treating cocaine use disorder, and none have been specifically approved by the FDA for this purpose. However, in some instances, your provider may prescribe some medications to help manage any co-occurring health conditions that pop up alongside cocaine use. 

For example, antidepressants like bupropion and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can help with depression and anxiety that often show up during treatment and recovery. Your provider may also prescribe gabapentin for restlessness and sleep problems, or trazodone for insomnia during withdrawal.

Your first line of defense in treating cocaine addiction is a combination of behavioral therapy and ongoing support from peers, family, or counselors. Your provider will ask about your use, how it’s affecting you, and what else is going on with your health. The focus is on what’s happening with you now and what might help, not on why you started using.