Cocaine Addiction Treatment in California
Westlake Village Recovery Center offers flexible care for those working to overcome cocaine addiction, including telehealth options. Treatment formats (outpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization) are matched to individual needs. Our team helps people recovering from cocaine addiction stabilize their moods, build coping skills, and maintain daily responsibilities while working toward lasting sobriety.

Distinguishing aspects of cocaine include:
- Commonly snorted, smoked, or injected
- Highly addictive with short-lived highs
- Effects include increased heart rate, elevated mood, and reduced appetite
- Acts as a central nervous system stimulant
Cocaine is most commonly found as a white powder or processed into crack cocaine, a solid form that is smoked. While it’s used in the medical field as a local anesthetic for certain procedures, recreational use of cocaine is illegal and it is classified as a schedule II illegal substance in the United States.
Cocaine vs. Crack
Cocaine typically appears as a white powder and is snorted or injected (after being added to liquid). Crack, on the other hand, is a solid, rock-like substance made by processing cocaine with additional substances. It’s usually smoked, delivering a rapid and intense euphoric rush that fades quickly. This can often lead to binge use.
| Feature | Cocaine (Powder) | Crack Cocaine |
| Form | White powder | Solid “rocks” |
| Method of Use | Snorted or injected | Smoked |
| Onset of Effects | Slower | Immediate |
| Duration of High | 15 to 30 minutes | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Addiction Risk | High | Very high, due to rapid onset |
| Social Perception | Seen as a more “elite”drug | Often associated with poverty |
Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Common signs of cocaine addiction include:
- Dilated pupils
- Runny nose
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Sudden bursts of energy, followed by fatigue or irritability
- Secretive behavior
- Lying
- Financial problems
- Neglect of responsibilities, relationships, or personal hygiene
- Risk-taking behavior
- Increased impulsivity
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Presence of drug paraphernalia like white powder, straws, or burnt spoons
These symptoms may vary depending on the method of use and duration of addiction. Recognizing these signs early can help guide timely intervention and support.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction
In the short term, users may experience intense euphoria, increased energy, and heightened alertness. However, these effects are often followed by anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. Cocaine also raises heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk of stroke or heart attack — even after a single use.
| Effect Type | Short-Term Effects | Long-Term Effects |
| Physical | Increased heart rate, dilated pupils, insomnia | Heart disease, stroke risk, nasal damage |
| Psychological | Euphoria, anxiety, paranoia | Depression, psychosis, cognitive impairment |
| Behavioral | Impulsivity, erratic behavior | Addiction, social withdrawal, financial problems |
Long-term cocaine use can result in profound changes to brain chemistry, leading to tolerance, dependence, and cognitive decline. Chronic users may suffer from paranoia, depression, and cardiovascular damage. Social isolation and financial instability are also common outcomes.
Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Common signs of cocaine addiction include:
- Dilated pupils
- Runny nose
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Sudden bursts of energy, followed by fatigue or irritability
- Secretive behavior
- Lying
- Financial problems
- Neglect of responsibilities, relationships, or personal hygiene
- Risk-taking behavior
- Increased impulsivity
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Presence of drug paraphernalia like white powder, straws, or burnt spoons
These symptoms may vary depending on the method of use and duration of addiction. Recognizing these signs early can help guide timely intervention and support.

Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction
Outpatient care refers to medical or behavioral health services that do not require an overnight stay in an addiction treatment facility. Individuals receive treatment during scheduled appointments and return home afterward, making it a flexible option for those with stable conditions or strong support systems.
Key features of outpatient care include:
- Flexible Scheduling: Allows individuals to maintain work, school, or family responsibilities
- Treatment Scope: Includes various forms of therapy, medication management, and educational sessions
- Care Settings: Often delivered in clinics, private practices, or community health centers
- Cost-Effective: Typically less expensive than inpatient care
- Continuity of Care: Supports long-term recovery and wellness through regular engagement
Outpatient programs for addiction treatment are considered Ideal treatment for people with mild conditions, who are seeking step-down care from more intensive treatment programs, or those who are entering treatment within the early stages of addiction.
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured, non-residential treatment option for individuals managing substance use, mental health disorders, or dual diagnoses. IOPs typically involve multiple weekly sessions that combine evidence-based therapies, peer support, and skill-building.
Core components of an IOP include:
- Schedule: Treatment usually takes place 3 to 5 days per week, 2 to 4 hours per day
- Therapies: Participants can still enjoy access to group therapy, individual counseling, and other resources
- Focus Areas: Relapse prevention, emotional regulation, and coping strategies are typically included in treatment
- Transition Support: Often used as step-down care from inpatient or PHP
- Population Served: This program modality can be used to treat adults, adolescents, and individuals with co-occurring disorders
IOPs can help promote accountability, community connection, and long-term recovery. These programs can offer a higher level of care than standard outpatient therapy while still allowing participants to live at home and maintain daily responsibilities.
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in California is a structured, intensive treatment option for individuals experiencing moderate to severe mental health or substance use disorders. It provides comprehensive care during the day while allowing participants to return home in the evening. This offers a balance between inpatient and outpatient levels of support.
Key elements of a PHP include:
- Schedule: Typically 5 days per week, 4 to 6 hours per day
- Treatment Modalities: Treatment may include individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, and psychoeducation
- Clinical Focus: Stabilization, symptom management, and relapse prevention
- Support Services: May include case management, family therapy, and discharge planning
- Transition Role: Often serves as a bridge between inpatient care and outpatient recovery
- Target Population: Adults and adolescents with acute needs but for whom inpatient treatment is not suitable
PHPs are ideal for those who need more than weekly addiction-focused therapy but do not require 24-hour supervision. They can help foster recovery through structured care and daily therapeutic engagement.
Telehealth addiction treatment is the use of digital communication technologies to deliver healthcare services remotely. It enables individuals to connect with providers via video calls, phone consultations, secure messaging, or remote monitoring tools.
Key benefits of telehealth treatment include:
- Convenience: Individuals care from home, work, or while traveling
- Accessibility: Connection with specialists regardless of location
- Efficiency: Reduced travel time and wait times for appointments
- Continuity of Care: Follow-up visits and ongoing treatment can continue regardless of access
- Safety: Minimized exposure to communicable diseases/conditions
Telehealth helps to expand access to care, especially for individuals in rural areas, those with mobility challenges, or during public health emergencies. It can support both physical and behavioral health services, including therapy and medication management.
Dual diagnosis treatment in California addresses the complex needs of individuals experiencing both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. This integrated approach recognizes that each condition can intensify the other, requiring simultaneous, coordinated care. Effective dual diagnosis programs combine medical, psychological, and social support to promote long-term recovery and stability.
Key components of dual diagnosis treatment typically include:
- Integrated Care: Treats both conditions concurrently to reduce relapse and improve outcomes
- Evidence-Based Therapies: Includes CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care
- Medication Management: Supports psychiatric stabilization and substance withdrawal
- Multidisciplinary Team: Treatment involves mental health professionals, addiction specialists, and case managers
- Peer Support: Encourages less isolation through group therapy and connection to recovery communities
This approach fosters holistic healing and empowers individuals to manage both diagnoses effectively.
Receive Support for Cocaine Addiction at Westlake Village Recovery
Ready to take the next step? Contact Westlake Village Recovery to speak with our admissions team and begin your journey toward healing. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

