12-step programs began in the 1930s with the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to promote sobriety. Today, across the United States and the world, there are numerous variations on the steps set out in The Big Book, including Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and more specific support groups such as Cocaine Anonymous (CA).
Cocaine Anonymous is one method of attempting to overcome an addiction to cocaine or usage that has led to concerns. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, and not all individuals will find success with the 12 steps. Full recovery often requires a customized treatment plan with meaningful, personalized aftercare treatment and consideration of the individual’s circumstances.
Around 4.8 million people in the United States report using cocaine every year, although that figure is probably much higher as not everyone is forthcoming about using certain substances. Cocaine use can be problematic for various reasons, including the possibility of cocaine addiction. Addiction means the physical or psychological reliance on a substance, which can be expensive, detrimental to health, and lead to a range of social issues.
Common signs of cocaine use include:
It’s clear that there are many reasons why a person would want to break free from a habit of cocaine use. In 1979, a drug counselor from New York called John Burrell formed a new treatment group specifically to help individuals with this. He called the group Cocaine Anonymous (CA), and today, there are CA meetings all over the world.
Anyone struggling with cocaine use can join CA, providing they can meet this condition:
“The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances.”
This includes alcohol, so attendees must be willing to work on stopping all types of substance use, even if they may believe that other substances aren’t problematic. For example, someone who doesn’t want to quit drinking a couple of glasses of wine after work every night would struggle to convince CA that they were serious about joining.
CA, like other 12-step programs, defines its groups as spiritual but makes it clear that they’re not associated with any particular religion. The 12 steps are adapted directly from AA and make several references to a single, male God which may not resonate with all attendees, particularly those of polytheistic faiths such as Hinduism. However, the CA website makes it clear that all religions and faiths are welcome, regardless of how they view the divine.
CA also has 12 traditions which include a single reference to “a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.” This underlines other traditions such as common welfare and CA unity. CA also heavily emphasizes the importance of anonymity, including the fact that they will never sacrifice anonymity even for the promotion of the organization. Other important aspects of CA traditions include:
The CA logo includes the words Hope, Faith, and Courage, highlighting the attributes most likely to lead to success within this group setting.
12-step programs start with acceptance of concerns, move on to working to change behaviors, and culminate in the commitment to carry the message of sobriety to others. The success of this type of program is the subject of frequent debate. One study showed that the 12 steps were less successful for drug users than alcohol users, although the same study suggested that for cocaine specifically, there were some signs of success.
Another study showed that only 38% of 12-step program attendees maintained participation in the groups two years after starting recovery. However, over 80% of these were still abstinent. The clear conclusion is that 12-step plans don’t work for everyone, but for those that they do work for, they can be very successful.
CA works well for people who are invested in becoming more spiritual as individuals while engaging in a community that utilizes that spirituality as a tool for changed behavior. This method isn’t appropriate for everyone and, for those that have struggled to stick to 12-step plans in the past, different methods might be more successful.
The 12 steps combined with effective aftercare treatment and compassionate, personalized care could create a holistic approach to overcoming cocaine use. One advantage is that joining a 12-step program means you are never approaching the battle with cocaine on your own. The community is there to support you, and socializing with those determined to overcome addiction is a major positive change.
Cocaine can have a debilitating impact on lives. CA is just one potential method for overcoming problems associated with cocaine use. Most people find greater success overcoming substance use issues via customized treatment plans that take into account their personal circumstances.
If you or a loved one needs this kind of support, Cocaine Anonymous could be a vital cog in the machine that gets life back on track again. For a fully holistic treatment plan, contact our team here at Transformations Treatment Center to discover how you can reclaim the person you want to be.
