Getting Help for a Crack Cocaine Addiction

Crack cocaine is a highly addictive drug made by dissolving and “cooking” powdered cocaine with other chemicals until the solution boils off and leaves behind hard chunks of precipitate. The resulting crystals (or “rocks”) can then be smoked to achieve a powerful high. Compared to its original powdered form, crack cocaine produces faster, longer-lasting, and more intense effects.

According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2016), as many as 3.3% of Americans aged 12 or older are estimated to have used crack cocaine at some point in their lifetimes. This number may sound small at first, but, with a population of over 325 million, that’s more than 12 million people at risk of serious harm from the drug. For those who develop a crack cocaine addiction, professional rehabilitation is often needed to stop the cycle before the symptoms become life-threatening.

Crack Cocaine Addiction Treatment Options

Fortunately for those addicted to crack cocaine, professional treatment programs can help them break their dependency and create a plan for a sober and healthy future. Most treatment facilities offer three types of programs: residential (on-site), outpatient, and intensive outpatient.

• Residential

The most intensive and thorough level of treatment, residential programs require clients to live on-site at the facility and comply with certain rules and restrictions. Individuals in residential care are usually prohibited from leaving the premises or talking to anyone outside of treatment for at least part of the program. This type of treatment begins with a safe medical detox to get the crack cocaine out of the client’s system.

Yellowstone Recovery’s residential treatment programs have two phases of care: primary and extended. The first phase lasts for 30 days and focuses on addressing the core issues surrounding the client’s addiction through a 12-step program and various group and individual therapy sessions.

The second phase, extended care, gives clients an opportunity to practice their new life skills, find employment, and prepare for life after rehab. Extended care clients are also given additional privileges with regard to off-site travel and contact with friends and family outside of the program.

• Intensive Outpatient (IOP)

This intermediate level of crack cocaine addiction treatment is geared toward those who don’t require a detox period or the intense supervision and restriction of a residential program. As one of the most flexible treatment options, IOP allows clients to seek treatment while continuing to work and meet other responsibilities. Clients may live off-site with family or in sober living and can plan their own therapy schedule.

Yellowstone Recovery intensive outpatient clients are expected to attend four group therapy sessions and one individual therapy session per week. Clients can plan these sessions around their regular schedules, making it easy to commit to treatment without sacrificing income or social activities.

• Outpatient

Standard outpatient treatment programs are usually intended to serve as additional rehabilitation for those who have recently gone through a residential crack rehabilitation program. Outpatient treatment is not required and may not be necessary for all clients, but many individuals find that an outpatient program is an ideal way to transition from treatment to “regular life.” As with IOP treatment, clients are not required to live on-site and can live with family or in sober living, as they see fit.

Yellowstone Recovery outpatient clients are asked to attend three group therapy sessions each week and one individual session every other week. Clients also continue to work through their 12-step program with the assistance and support of a chosen sponsor.

Which Kind of Treatment Should You Choose?

The type of crack cocaine rehabilitation program you choose will depend upon the status of your physical addiction and your place in recovery. If you are still actively using crack cocaine and trapped in the cycle of use and withdrawal, you’ll need to start with a thorough residential program that includes medically supervised detox.

If you don’t need detox, intensive outpatient or outpatient treatment may be more appropriate. IOP can give you the freedom to keep working and manage your own schedule, while standard outpatient treatment is a good choice if you’re looking for further treatment after a residential program.

If you aren’t quite sure which type of treatment best fits your life and recovery goals, give us a call. Yellowstone Recovery’s expert staff can walk you through your options and help you find a crack cocaine treatment plan that fits your situation.

Medication for Crack Cocaine Addiction

Due to crack cocaine’s intense effects on the human body, the experience of withdrawal can be excruciating for those going through a detox period. In order to protect individuals from serious health risks and agonizing symptoms, doctors in treatment facilities often prescribe certain medications to clients detoxifying from crack cocaine.

Some addictions can be targeted directly with medication, but there are currently no medications available specifically for the treatment of crack cocaine addiction. Instead, medication used in crack cocaine detox focuses primarily on managing severe withdrawal symptoms and keeping clients comfortable. Once detox is complete, withdrawal symptoms should cease, and these medications can be stopped.

The Process of Treatment for Crack Cocaine Addiction

Residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs may have different formats, but the central process of treating crack cocaine addiction follows the same basic steps. At Yellowstone Recovery, the rehab process proceeds as follows:

• Crack cocaine addiction detox

For residential program clients, the first stage of the rehabilitation process is detox. During this period, clients are monitored by doctors on-site and provided with any necessary prescriptions and medical care. Once the crack has been completely purged from a client’s body, he or she can move on to therapy work.

• Blackout period

Clients in residential programs can also expect to be prohibited from leaving the facility or talking to anyone off-site for some time at the start of treatment. Commonly referred to as a blackout period, this temporary contact restriction keeps clients safe from negative influences and relapse triggers during a vulnerable time.

• Therapy Work

The most important aspect of the crack cocaine addiction rehab process is the emotional and behavioral work clients do in group therapy, individual therapy, and 12-step program meetings. During this phase of treatment, clients work with professional addiction counselors to identify core issues, heal deep personal pain, and build positive relationships with peers in their program.

• Sober living (if required)

Many crack cocaine rehab centers offer clients housing in sober living facilities during their time in treatment. If living with family is not an ideal option, individuals in intensive outpatient or outpatient programs may choose to stay in sober living during treatment. Clients might also spend time in sober living after the program completion.

• Aftercare

Recovering from a crack cocaine addiction doesn’t end when the treatment program is complete. Most thorough rehab facilities will offer clients a variety of aftercare resources to guide them through the transition period after treatment. Having access to continued support in the aftercare phase can be key to preventing relapse, building confidence, and encouraging further self-motivated recovery work.

Choosing the Right Drug Treatment Center

For the best chances of permanently recovering from an addiction to crack cocaine, you need more than just willpower. You’ll also want to have the support of clinically backed counseling techniques, expert medical care, quality facilities, and experienced, compassionate staff. Don’t just choose the first center you find; take the time to consider all aspects of a given rehab center and whether it fits your recovery needs and goals.

If you’re battling a crack cocaine addiction, you’ll want to have a knowledgeable, experienced team and supportive, comfortable environment to help you grow and succeed. When choosing a drug rehab facility, it’s important to consider all elements of the experience, from therapeutic methods and program descriptions to on-site amenities and post-recovery resources.

As you review various crack cocaine addiction treatment programs, watch for valuable traits like these:

• Experienced, specialized recovery staff
• Strong individual and group therapy programs
• Positive testimonials from previous clients
• Flexible payment plans
• Secure facilities
• Soothing atmosphere
• Respectful, compassionate attitudes
• Safe medical detox
• Thorough aftercare support

Ready to Be Free from Crack Cocaine? Get the Help You Deserve at Yellowstone Recovery

If you’ve been living under the weight of crack cocaine addiction, it’s time to take back your power and get the respectful, compassionate help you deserve. At Yellowstone Recovery in southern California, our residential and outpatient programs have been helping clients from all walks of life to build sober, fulfilling lives for over two decades. No matter how strong your addiction to crack cocaine is, we’ll help you discover how much stronger you can be.

To learn more about our programs and get started on your journey back to health and happiness, call us today at (888) 418-4188.