Outpatient programmes for cocaine addiction support those struggling in their recovery whilst enabling them to maintain their daily responsibilities. They offer an effective solution for clients who either don’t want to attend inpatient treatment or are unable to do so.
Like other successful treatment options, outpatient programmes help many people make meaningful changes in real-time, integrating the lessons of therapy into daily life from day one.
What Is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug that originates from the coca plant. Typically, cocaine appears as a white powder or a crystal-like rock, known as crack cocaine. Regardless of the type of cocaine used, it produces a euphoric ‘high’ that makes users feel happy, confident, and alert.
Cocaine abuse is a pervasive problem in the United Kingdom, with approximately 5.3% of adults between the ages of 15 and 34 using cocaine in 2018, the highest of any European country. As a highly addictive drug, repeatedly using cocaine can quickly lead to addiction.
Why Is Cocaine Addictive?
Cocaine addiction transpires because of the way it affects chemical balances in certain areas of the brain.
The brain comprises different areas of cells that communicate with each other through chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are delicately balanced to maintain the normal functioning of systems in the brain and body.
One of these systems is known as the reward system. The reward system is a pathway in the brain that reinforces life-preserving behaviours like sex and eating. When we engage in one of these activities, the brain releases a small amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine causes us to perceive certain activities as pleasurable and makes us want to do them again.
When a user takes cocaine, it floods the brain with dopamine. These unusually high dopamine levels hijack the reward system, producing urges to continue to use cocaine that can be incredibly strong and difficult to resist. Repeated cocaine use can cause long-term changes to the reward system that generate cravings for cocaine even after periods of abstinence.
Treating Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction can become the dominant force in many people’s lives. It gradually takes priority over home and work obligations and affects performance in many aspects of life.
However, support is available. Cocaine addiction treatment enables many people to secure a lifelong recovery. Comprehensive scientific research has uncovered a range of evidence-based addiction treatment approaches that effectively treat cocaine addiction and go some way to reversing changes in the brain.
Addiction treatment also provides those in recovery with the skills and coping mechanisms to reduce and manage cravings, helping them live a sober life.
Inpatient and Outpatient Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Deciding to seek treatment is the first step in the road to recovery. Several different forms of treatment are available, ensuring that each individual can find a solution that suits their needs.
The two main addiction treatment programmes are inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment involves residential stays at a drug and alcohol rehab centre, allowing those living with addictions to begin the recovery process in a safe and controlled environment free from the triggers and distractions of everyday life. They usually offer structured schedules that combine treatment sessions with group activities and time for rest and leisure.
In contrast, outpatient treatment programmes involve regular visits to a treatment centre whilst enabling those in recovery to continue living at home, ensuring they can fulfil day-to-day responsibilities and obligations. Outpatient treatment suits those who cannot or do not wish to take a complete break from their lives to attend residential rehabilitation.
Although every treatment facility offers a different programme, they share some common features. No one treatment works for everyone, though. For this reason, effective cocaine addiction treatment programmes should be individualised to suit each person’s needs.
Outpatient Cocaine Rehab
Cocaine Detoxification
Cocaine treatment usually commences with cocaine detoxification. Cocaine detox involves removing all traces of cocaine and its toxins from the body so those in recovery can focus on and engage in long-term addiction treatment.
When a person repeatedly takes cocaine, their body adapts to the presence of the substance and adjusts its own functions in response. This is known as cocaine dependence. Suddenly stopping taking cocaine may lead to a series of withdrawal symptoms as the body readjusts.
Although cocaine withdrawal symptoms are generally not life-threatening, they can be uncomfortable and difficult to manage. Symptoms are usually psychological and include feelings of anxiety and depression. In severe cases, cocaine withdrawal symptoms can include psychosis and suicidal ideations.
During outpatient detox, clients undergo the detoxification process under the supervision of medical professionals, who design a detox plan and offer regular medical and psychological check-ups.
Medical professionals are on hand throughout treatment should severe withdrawal symptoms that require additional medical assistance or psychological support arise. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) suggests that outpatient detox is suitable for many clients undergoing stimulant withdrawal.
Long-Term Cocaine Addiction Treatment
The acute withdrawal phase from cocaine addiction usually lasts between one and two weeks. Following this, long-term substance abuse treatment commences.
Drug addiction programmes focus on identifying the underlying causes of drug abuse and developing the skills to overcome them. They usually combine various treatment approaches in a personalised treatment plan for each client.
Treatment options may include:
- Addiction therapy, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Group therapy
- Support groups
- Complementary therapies, including holistic therapies
- Experiential therapies such as creative art therapy
- Life skills development
- Dual diagnosis treatment, which treats co-occurring disorders alongside addiction
- Aftercare and relapse prevention
What Are the Benefits of Outpatient Treatment?
Outpatient programmes offer many unique benefits for clients in recovery. Research has found that complex outpatient programmes can be as effective as inpatient programmes.
Some benefits of outpatient treatment include:
- Recovering from a cocaine use disorder whilst fulfilling daily routines, obligations, and responsibilities
- Practising, integrating, and reinforcing skills learnt in therapy
- Working with a professional therapist to manage everyday triggers as they are encountered
- Making meaningful, valid, and long-lasting changes in everyday life
- Being surrounded by a community of non-judgemental staff and specialists
- Meeting local people with similar recovery goals
In addition to the above, many people who complete outpatient treatment find it is easy for their family and friends to access the treatment centre and support them better in their recovery journey.
The Revoke Programme
The Revoke Programme is an innovative outpatient experience aimed at clients who are unable to pause their lives to attend treatment. We design our day and night programmes to fit around each person’s daily schedule so they can continue to fulfil work and home responsibilities as they recover from cocaine addiction.
Our highly qualified and respected team offers personalised, evidence-based, and compassionate healthcare to every client. We begin with a free, confidential assessment followed by an in-depth addiction assessment to ensure we offer the best solution for each person’s needs. We also provide comprehensive aftercare to each client to ensure meaningful and long-lasting results.
Contact Us Today
If you are struggling with cocaine addiction, help starts here. The Revoke Programme is on hand to offer the support and guidance you need. Contact us today for confidential advice about your rehabilitation journey.
