Crack cocaine is a highly abused drug. The online source MyAddiction.com notes that one in four young American adults has used cocaine in his lifetime. Crack is a smoked version of cocaine that is addictive, which means consistent use of the drug leads to tolerance, seeking the drug despite negative consequences of use and can lead to chronic relapse once initial recovery is sustained. Recovery from crack cocaine is often difficult, involving a process of abstinence from drug use and slips back to addictive behavior. A comprehensive program of recovery involves skill building and utilization of recovery tools to prevent relapse.
Meetings and Sponsors
Crack cocaine recovery is strengthened by obtaining and maintaining a strong support system. Cocaine Anonymous recommends getting involved in support meetings such as the Twelve Steps of Cocaine Anonymous to gain knowledge about the process of recovery with people experiencing similar obstacles. In addition to attending meetings, obtaining a sponsor who is in recovery and can teach the steps of the program is favorable. The sponsor serves as an individual support as well as a mentor to reach out to when staying sober becomes difficult.
Identify Risky Situations
Identifying warning signs for relapse can make the difference between staying sober and falling back into addictive patterns. Relapse may involve emotions, physical signs or conflicting thoughts. The online source Addictions and Recovery suggests learning your specific triggers, such as feeling intense anxiety or fantasizing about former crack cocaine use, then using thought tools for dealing with the urges. For instance, a technique referred to as playing the tape, involves thinking the entire fantasy of use through from start to finish, including the negative consequences after use. Using risk identification and playing the tape through often allows enough of a delay from the beginning of the craving to the actual completion of the thought, which may make the desire for use diminish and prevent relapse.
Write a Prevention Plan
Written relapse prevention plans identify specific triggers to substance use, alternatives to use and who to contact for assistance when urges become overwhelming. MayoClinic.com recommends developing a prevention plan with a substance abuse counselor or trusted support person to identify all the possible factors that may contribute to relapse. Various Internet support groups offer example relapse prevention plans and checklists to identify considerations to make for recovery. The National Institute on Drug Abuse further suggests including a section in your recovery plan that identifies tips for getting through stressful situations.
Set Goals
Goal setting for recovery signifies a starting point as well as a return point if relapse occurs. Set simple, realistic and specific goals for recovery from crack cocaine. Simple goals might include: attending a support meeting, making one phone call a day to a sober support and 10 minutes of meditation to relax a day. Abstinence is always a good idea, however, early in recovery this may not be your goal. Set small goals to work toward abstinence if you cannot quit completely. As you progress in your recovery program challenge yourself to achieve the goal of abstinence while working on building a relapse prevention plan.
