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Cocaine Anonymous is also known as CA. The organization was founded in Los Angeles back in 1982. CA is a peer program consisting of 12 Step meetings to help you overcome cocaine addiction and learn how to function independently without feeling the need to use drugs.
Group support can be a positive approach for those stepping down from inpatient substance use treatment or if you just need a sense of community to help maintain sobriety.
CA meetings are held in person or online. Meetings are also free of charge but they accept donations.
How Does Cocaine and Narcotics Anonymous Work?
Cocaine Anonymous takes its approach one day at a time. They don’t want you to focus on the future or the past, but rather the “right now.” CA and other programs like Narcotics Anonymous are spiritual rather than religious.
In these settings, you share stories about your life and how addiction has impacted it. The group also discusses the importance of maintaining a drug free lifestyle and how that has benefited you.
Most meetings are held daily to weekly, and you can attend as many as you need to. There are times when you might work out of a text, like the various Narcotics Anonymous books, or just talk amongst the group.
This helps create a sense of community and encourages you to make goals for yourself. Groups are peer led, so you’re with others who have similar stories as you. They’ll also help you find a sponsor who can act as a recovery mentor.
What are the 12 Steps of Cocaine Anonymous?
Cocaine Anonymous follows a 12-step model of addiction recovery. The purpose of this is to help you with goal setting and work through the steps to help obtain and maintain sobriety. These are the 12 Steps of Cocaine Anonymous:
- We admit we were powerless over cocaine and all other mind altering substances, and that our lives have become unmanageable.
- We now believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- We make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him.
- We have made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- We admit to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- We’re entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- We humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings.
- We have listed all persons we had harmed and are willing to make amends to them all.
- We make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- We continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong, we promptly admit it.
- We seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
- We have had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
How is Cocaine Anonymous Different from Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous was founded around the same time as Alcoholics Anonymous. The difference is that Narcotics Anonymous 12 steps don’t make a distinction between any type of drugs and recognize the connection of polysubstance dependence, including alcohol.
In Narcotics Anonymous meetings, members make it a point to say that anyone with a substance use disorder is welcome to attend. Likewise, Narcotics Anonymous online meetings enable participants to get support and education wherever and whenever they need it.
Is Cocaine Anonymous Right for Me?
If you’re struggling with cocaine, attending Cocaine Anonymous meetings might be a step in the right direction. You’ll meet a recovery community made up of folks who’re dealing with the same issues as you. Building a network shows that you’re not alone, and that others are walking the same path with the same goals.
Attending these meetings can also direct you to additional resources in the community that can help with your addiction. They can also direct your friends and family members into different types of support groups to help them understand your addiction and be a positive support for you.
Where Can I Find More Information About Cocaine Anonymous?
If you’d like to learn more about Cocaine Anonymous reach out to your local community mental health agencies or doctor offices. A drug rehab program can also direct you on where to go.
You can also access local or online meetings, depending on where you’re located. The SAMHSA’s National Helpline can help you find meetings and other support for cocaine addiction.
What Are the Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction?
If you feel you need stronger assistance to overcome your cocaine addiction there are additional types of treatment. You can access immediate services for acute conditions or high intensity services like detox through inpatient programs or local emergency rooms. Specific inpatient treatment programs can help you for up to 90 days depending on your condition and goals.
There’s a variety of outpatient rehab programs ranging from day programs to more periodic meetings if you are medically stable and your symptoms are more manageable. Aftercare can consist of outpatient treatment or other community resources for substance use disorders.
Medical doctors may prescribe certain FDA approved medications which have shown some evidence in supporting recovery from cocaine addiction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and related therapeutic approaches are highly effective for addressing the underlying patterns and triggers associated with cocaine use.
