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Alternative Treatment for Cocaine Addiction You Might Not Have Heard Of 

If you or someone you love is suffering from an addiction to cocaine you may know about many of the conventional treatments available, such as behavioral therapies and counseling. However, not every addiction is the same, nor is every person. This is why you should know about alternative treatment for cocaine addiction you might not have heard of.

Acupuncture

One of these alternative treatments is acupuncture. This form of ancient Chinese medicine has been used to aid in numerous maladies for thousands of years. While it is still uncertain exactly how acupuncture works, the fact remains that for many cocaine addicts it does indeed work. This is especially true if it is combined with the more traditional behavioral therapies and counseling.

Massage Therapy

Stress is one of the biggest obstacles in overcoming cocaine abuse, and massage has long been used to reduce stress and perform therapeutic functions. Massage therapy has also shown a significant amount of promise in helping in the treatment of cocaine addiction. Much like acupuncture, it works best when combined with behavioral therapies and counseling.

Medications

While it is true that there are not any medications currently indicated specifically for treating cocaine addiction, there are some medications that your doctor may prescribe to help. According to Harvard Medical School, several medications for other diseases or conditions that have shown some promise in reducing cravings, easing withdrawal, or both.

There are also clinical trials being conducted on a vaccine that may eliminate cocaine addiction entirely. If other treatments haven't worked for you, it may benefit you to try medications.

Alternative Behavioral Therapies

There are also some behavioral therapies that are less likely to be used than those most commonly suggested for treating cocaine dependent. Some of these are:

• Aversion therapy
  
• Motivational interviewing
  
• Cue exposure therapy and relaxation training
  
• Contingency management interventions
  
• Community reinforcement approach
  

All of these treatment approaches can be useful for the right people and in the right situations. Regardless of the treatment method that is used, the most important thing to do is to seek treatment.