Finding the right treatment for cocaine or methamphetamine addiction can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating what’s available and what actually works. The landscape of stimulant treatment has evolved significantly in recent years, with research pointing toward specific interventions that make a real difference in people’s lives.
Whether you’re looking for help for yourself or someone close to you, understanding today’s treatment options can clarify the path forward.
Cocaine and methamphetamine use affects millions across the United States. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 4.3 million Americans age 12 and older are affected by stimulant use disorder. These numbers represent real people from every demographic and background, like students, parents, professionals, and veterans.
Both substances create intense euphoria by increasing dopamine in the brain, but they work in different ways. Cocaine prevents dopamine reabsorption, creating a powerful but brief high that typically peaks within 30-60 minutes. Methamphetamine can trigger significant dopamine release and may produce effects that last longer.
This difference influences patterns of use. Cocaine may be used repeatedly in a short period to maintain the high. Methamphetamine use may involve longer binge cycles and prolonged wakefulness. Both patterns can contribute to serious health consequences and long-term changes in brain function.
Here’s something important to know upfront: there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically indicated for cocaine or methamphetamine use disorder.That doesn’t mean treatment is ineffective. It means the most effective treatment approaches are behavioral and supportive, often combined with medical care for whole-person needs.
Studies show that structured behavioral therapies can improve outcomes for people with stimulant use disorders. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these approaches help people modify their thought patterns, manage triggers, and develop skills that support recovery.
Contingency management (CM) is one evidence-based approach that rewards positive behaviors, such as attending appointments or providing drug-free urine samples with tangible incentives. Recent policy changes by SAMHSA also allow certain federally funded programs to provide incentives up to a specified amount, reflecting growing support for CM as an effective tool.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people recognize situations that might lead to use and practice alternative responses. The Matrix Model, designed specifically for stimulant use disorders, combines multiple components in a structured program (often 16 weeks) that may include education, group therapy, and family involvement.
Eleanor Health’s treatment model starts with recognizing that every person’s situation is unique. What led someone to start, what keeps them stopping, and what will support their recovery can look very different from one person to the next.
During initial appointments, medical providers focus on understanding the full picture: patterns of substance use, physical health, mental health history, living situation, support system, and personal goals. This assessment helps guide an individualized care plan.
Treatment components typically include:
Behavioral health services delivered through individual therapy sessions and group settings, using evidence-based approaches that support recovery.
Medical monitoring by physicians or nurse practitioners who track overall health, manage emerging medical concerns, and prescribe medications for co-occurring mental health conditions when appropriate.
Peer recovery coaching from specialists who’ve navigated their own recovery journeys and understand both the clinical and lived-experience sides of getting well.
Practical support connecting people to community resources, such ashousing assistance, job training, legal services, or help with basic needs that can stabilize daily life.
Virtual and in-person options depending on location, making it easier to access care regardless of transportation, schedule constraints, or where someone lives.
While we don’t have FDA-approved medications for stimulant addiction itself, certain medications may help some individuals, especially when co-occurring mental health conditions are present.
Bupropion, an antidepressant that affects dopamine and norepinephrine, has shown potential in some studies for reducing cocaine use. It can be especially useful when someone is also managing depression or wants to quit smoking.
Naltrexone combined with bupropion has demonstrated some effectiveness for methamphetamine use disorder in research settings. Naltrexone is also used to treat alcohol use disorder, making it a consideration when someone uses both stimulants and alcohol.
For people with ADHD who’ve been using stimulants to manage symptoms, proper diagnosis and treatment planning can be important.In some cases, a provider may consider non-stimulant ADHD medications or other treatment strategies to support recovery goals.
These medication decisions require careful assessment and ongoing monitoring. Eleanor Health providers evaluate whether medications might help on a case-by-case basis, based on health history, current symptoms, and treatment goals.
Depression, anxiety, trauma, and ADHD frequently co-occur with stimulant use disorders. Sometimes these conditions existed first and sometimes substance use worsens mental health symptoms over time. Often, it’s complicated to untangle which came first.
What’s clear from research is that addressing mental health alongside substance use improves outcomes for many people. Someone experiencing severe anxiety may need targeted therapy or medication as part of their overall treatment plan. Someone with untreated PTSD may benefit from trauma-informed care.
Eleanor Health’s approach integrates mental health treatment throughout the recovery process. Therapists support both substance use recovery and co-occurring conditions. Medical providers can prescribe psychiatric medications when needed. The goal isn’t only to reduce or stop substance use, but to help people feel genuinely better in all aspects of their lives.
The initial weeks of treatment often focus on stabilization: reducing or stopping use, supporting safety, managing withdrawal symptoms, addressing mental health symptoms, and building momentum through consistent care.
As that foundation develops, treatment often shifts toward identifying patterns, building coping skills, and addressing underlying drivers of substance use.
Group sessions provide opportunities to learn from others facing similar challenges. Individual therapy may explore personal history, trauma, and the specific factors maintaining substance use. Peer recovery specialists can offer practical guidance on navigating everything from managing cravings to repairing relationships.
Progress isn’t always linear. Research shows that 40-60% of people with substance use disorders experience a return to use at some point, mirroring the management challenges of chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. When this happens at Eleanor Health, it isn’t failure—it’s information that helps strengthen the treatment approach.
Maybe someone needs more intensive support. Maybe a different therapy method would work better. Maybe there’s an unaddressed issue that needs attention. The key is staying engaged and allowing the plan to evolve as needed.
The first step is to fill out our contact form or give us a call. It’s confidential and low-pressure—we just want to understand your situation and figure out how we can help.
Recovery from cocaine or methamphetamine addiction is absolutely possible. With the right combination of behavioral therapy, medical support, peer connection, and addressing the whole person’s needs, people build lives free from addiction every day.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Treatment and Recovery.” Drugs, Brains, and Behavior, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, July 2020, nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery.
SAMHSA. “Release of the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Leveraging the Latest Substance Use and Mental Health Data to Make America Healthy Again.” Samhsa.gov, 2025, www.samhsa.gov/blog/release-2024-nsduh-leveraging-latest-substance-use-mental-health-data-make-america-healthy-again.
