Abstract
The epidemic spread of cocaine abuse has, in turn, generated a number of promising new treatment interventions for this problem. Psychological treatment includes both individual and group psychotherapy, self-help groups, ana efforts directed at relapse prevention. Pharmacotherapies center around the use of drugs that (1) block the effects of cocaine, (2) produce aversive reactions following cocaine use, (3) treat premorbid, coexisting psychiatric disorders, or (4) treat cocaine withdrawal and /or craving. Regardless of the therapeutic approaches utilized, helping patients identify the environmental and internal cues that trigger cocaine use, emphasizing abstinence, promoting attendance at self-help groups and the judicious use of pharmacotherapy should be part of a multi-modal treatment approach for this patient population.
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