Cocaine Anonymous: The 12 Steps of Cocaine Anonymous

How Does Cocaine Anonymous Work?

Participants in Cocaine Anonymous typically attend meetings to discuss their issues with cocaine, share stories of recovery, and how life is like now. Meetings are to be kept anonymous and things mentioned or talked about during the meeting should be confidential and anonymous. The basis to overcome addiction for C.A. participants is to “surrender ourselves to a Power greater than ourselves,” which may be God, a state of spirituality, or other source of strength. The greater power is frequently associated with God, but C.A. stipulates that that they are not associated with any religious organizations and accept people with all beliefs.² There are no fees or dues for membership as C.A. is self-supported through their own voluntary contributions.²

What are the 12 Steps of Cocaine Anonymous?

The 12 Steps of Cocaine Anonymous are:³

1. We admitted we were powerless over cocaine and all other mind-altering substances—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having 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.

Who Should Attend CA Meetings?

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine.² Those struggling with addiction to cocaine typically attend CA meetings. Some symptoms of cocaine addiction include:

• Using cocaine for longer or more than intended.
• Missing out on prior engagements and responsibilities to spend time using or obtaining cocaine.
• Continuing to use cocaine despite consequences to the user’s health or wellbeing.
• Experiencing cravings and/or withdrawal.
• A desire to stop using cocaine but continuing to do so despite any number of troubles it is causing at work, in the home, in relationships, with one’s finances, or with the law.

Should I Go to Rehab Instead?

Rehab and 12-Step programs are not mutually exclusive. Cocaine rehab facilities will frequently use the 12 Steps in addition to other evidence-based treatment, such as behavioral therapy and psychoeducation.

Rehab facilities may provide treatment in the following settings for people struggling with cocaine addiction:

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). A PHP or “day treatment” program is the most intensive form of outpatient care. Patients visit the facility 3-7 days a week for a minimum of 20 weekly hours.⁴
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). A step down from PHP, IOPs require patients to visit the facility several days a week for a weekly minimum of 9 hours.⁵
• Standard outpatient treatment. Standard outpatient care is the most flexible form of outpatient treatment, allowing patients with careers or other obligations to receive treatment.

When other substances in addition to cocaine are involved, patients often benefit from more intensive forms of treatment such as:⁶

• Medical detox. Detox is used to stabilize patients during the withdrawal process, typically from substances such as opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and others.
• Residential treatment. In residential treatment facilities, patients live at the facility and benefit from 24/7 support and care.

There are currently no approved medications used to treat cocaine addiction.⁷ Rehab for cocaine primarily involves behavioral therapy methods like:⁶

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches patients to recognize and avoid relapse triggers, develop positive coping mechanisms, and alter unhealthy thought patterns.
• Contingency management, which provides rewards for meeting recovery goals.
• Family behavior therapy, which helps patients and their loved ones improve their home environment, treating not only the patient’s substance use but associated problems like depression, unemployment, family conflict, and more.

Getting Help for Cocaine Addiction

If you believe you or a loved one’s cocaine use is becoming a problem, you can give us a call at . There, an admissions navigator will listen to your story, go over your treatment options, and help you start your recovery journey.

We understand that not everyone wants to make a phone call. That’s why we offer a free, no-obligation text help line. Get the support you need, on your terms, when you need it!