What works?
When a person is addicted to a substance, psychological treatments and biological treatments can be used to treat the disorder. Cocaine abuse leads to physical changes, as well as mental changes; therefore, treatment for substance abuse can be complex. Often psychological and biological treatments are used together as treatment. Although, it is rare that biological treatments are used on their own since they do not seem to have the same positive result as psychological treatments or a combination.
When a person is addicted to a substance, psychological treatments and biological treatments can be used to treat the disorder. Cocaine abuse leads to physical changes, as well as mental changes; therefore, treatment for substance abuse can be complex. Often psychological and biological treatments are used together as treatment. Although, it is rare that biological treatments are used on their own since they do not seem to have the same positive result as psychological treatments or a combination.
What are psychological treatments?
Psychological treatments are treatments that deal mostly with the individual's behavior and dependency. Some of these treatments are:
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What are biological (pharmacological) treatments?
Biological treatments are essentially prescription medication. Depending on the individual, antidepressants may be prescribed to treat depression that can come with withdrawals or medication may be given to reduce cravings for the substance. Although the medication can reduce cravings for a substance, using medication alone does not improve recovery outcomes. |
References
David J.A Dozois & Philip Firestone. (2010). Abnormal Psychology. Toronto: Pearson
Diagnosis Dictionary: Cocaine. (2008). Psychology today. Retrieved on November 16, 2012 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/cocaine?tab=Treatments
Edwards, M.S., and Gold, Mark. M.D. Treatment for Cocaine Abuse. (2001). Psych Central. Retrieved on November 16, 2012 from http://psychcentral.com/library/sa_txco.htm
** SEE COMPLETE REFERENCE LIST UNDER MORE>INFORMATION SOURCES.
Diagnosis Dictionary: Cocaine. (2008). Psychology today. Retrieved on November 16, 2012 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/cocaine?tab=Treatments
Edwards, M.S., and Gold, Mark. M.D. Treatment for Cocaine Abuse. (2001). Psych Central. Retrieved on November 16, 2012 from http://psychcentral.com/library/sa_txco.htm
** SEE COMPLETE REFERENCE LIST UNDER MORE>INFORMATION SOURCES.
This page was last updated November 19, 2012.