Treatment

The widespread abuse of cocaine has stimulated extensive efforts to develop treatment programs for this type of drug abuse. According to the State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Profile, in FY (fiscal year) 1994, States reported 326,031 patients entering treatment with cocaine as the primary drug of abuse, representing 43 percent of treatment admissions. Another study, NIDA's Drug Services Research Survey, estimates that 31 percent of a sample of drug treatment clients had used cocaine or crack cocaine within 30 days prior to admission for treatment. Data from treatment programs using different therapeutic approaches indicate that outpatient cocaine treatment can be successful. One report suggests that from 30% to 90% of abusers remaining in outpatient treatment programs cease cocaine use.

NIDA has initiated a program with the purpose of discovering new medications that can be used in the treatment of cocaine abuse. Several medications are currently being investigated to test their safety and efficacy in treating cocaine addiction. In addition to pharmacological treatments, behavioral interventions also have been developed that are effective in decreasing drug use by patients in treatment for cocaine abuse. Providing the optimal combination of treatment services for each individual is critical to successful treatment outcome.

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