How to Help a Cocaine Addict

It’s estimated that close to 2% of the total United States population reported using cocaine in 2021. With such outrageous abuse statistics, you are bound to come across someone who uses it at some point in their lives—or worse! Someone close to you could end up being a victim.

If so, we might be tempted to help, but cocaine is a baffling foe. Its effect could drive our loved ones to the brink of irrationality.

So one might wonder how one can help with cocaine addiction. Worry no more, the cavalry’s here to save the day. Let’s take a dive into the most effective way to help a cocaine addict.

Care-Base Approach

Finding out that someone we love is addicted to cocaine might stir up all sorts of emotions inside us. We might feel sadness, anguish, fear, worry, and anger. While these are all well-justified emotions, we must do our part to avoid reacting to them.

If our reaction comes from a negative place, the cocaine addict might in turn react negatively by losing trust and developing anger and fear. If that’s the case, then it could become more difficult to achieve a breakthrough and get them the help they need.

Instead, it’s wise to attempt to approach them from a place of care and trust, with compassion and without judgment. By adopting a care-based approach, the probability of being well-received could increase.

A care-based approach could also help reduce the risk of self-harm which many addicts face, particularly when there is a co-occurring disorder like depression.

These are some ways in which you can approach an addict with care-

Offer them help but don’t be judgemental
Don’t criticize their actions
Express your care for them in a positive way
Be encouraging
Tell them you are here if they need you
Be patient
Be calm

Learn and Educate

One of the best ways to appeal to those who need help with cocaine addiction is by educating ourselves and in turn educating them about the dangers involved.

You might be surprised to learn how little addicts may not know about their condition and the ways in which they can overcome it.

Some topics of interest that you can both learn and share with the addict include:

How cocaine affects their health
How cocaine affects their finances and career
How cocaine affects their relationships
How to get sober from cocaine
What treatments are available
Demystifying myths about cocaine

Check out our content library for a variety of useful topics if you aren’t sure where to start.

Taking Inventory

Education is helpful, but we tend to learn more when we experience things for ourselves. Depending on how far down the scale the addict may be, there might already be a trail of evidence in their life to show the adverse effects that cocaine has.

Taking a personal inventory of how cocaine is affecting their life might help them recognize the need for help.

Professional Help

The best way to help someone with cocaine addiction is by getting them help from experts.

There is no substitute for professional help when addiction has reached severe stages. Withdrawal symptoms could be life-threatening for addicts, reinforcing the need for medical detox.

Furthermore, therapists, recovery experts, and medical professionals are trained and experienced in helping cocaine addicts get sober and stay that way.

There are a number of professional resources and organizations that can help with cocaine addiction. Some of them include:

Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab
Drug counselors or therapists
12-Step groups