Cocaine Addiction Treatment in Vermont

If cocaine has been creeping into your life (or someone you love), it can feel confusing fast. One minute it’s “just a weekend thing,” and the next it’s affecting sleep, mood, money, relationships, work, and self-respect. This is a common scenario for many dealing with cocaine addiction in Vermont.

The good news is that cocaine addiction is treatable. And you don’t have to leave Vermont to get real support. At River Rock Treatment in Burlington, we provide clinically driven outpatient substance use and mental health care right here on the eastern shoreline of Lake Champlain.

Our help is structured, evidence-based, and still very human. If you’re looking for a way out, you’re in the right place. However, it’s important to remember that addiction doesn’t just affect the individual—it also impacts family dynamics. Therefore, seeking professional help is crucial not only for recovery but also for restoring family relationships.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards recovery, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Cocaine use can look “functional” until it doesn’t

One of the toughest parts about cocaine is how easy it is to rationalize. People often keep up appearances for a while. They might still go to work, show up for family, and look fine on the outside.

But under the surface, cocaine can quietly reshape your brain’s reward system and stress response. Over time, what started as “energy” or “confidence” turns into:

Crashes that feel like depression
Irritability, paranoia, or agitation
Sleep problems that won’t resolve
A cycle of promising to stop and then using again
Increased risk-taking (sex, driving, spending)
Problems at work or school
Relationship conflict and isolation
Financial strain
Using other substances to “take the edge off” (alcohol, benzos, cannabis)

If you recognize yourself in any of this, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your brain has learned a powerful pattern and now needs the right kind of help to unlearn it. It’s crucial to understand that these changes are not just superficial; they may require professional intervention such as brain stimulation therapies to help regulate and rewire these harmful patterns.

What cocaine addiction actually is (and why willpower isn’t enough)

Cocaine is a stimulant that increases dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin activity in the brain. In plain terms, it floods the system with “reward” and “go-go-go” chemicals.

That flood comes with a cost.

The brain adapts by downshifting its natural dopamine production and sensitivity. So when you’re not using, you can feel flat, foggy, restless, and unmotivated. That emotional “grayness” is one of the biggest drivers of relapse.

This is why treatment matters. Not because you can’t try hard enough, but because your nervous system needs time, structure, skills, and support to heal.

Signs it might be time to get help

People reach out at all different stages. You don’t need to hit a dramatic “rock bottom” to deserve treatment.

Here are some common signs that outpatient treatment for cocaine use could help:

You’ve tried to stop or cut back and can’t stick with it
You use more than you intended, or more often than you planned
Cravings feel intrusive or hard to ignore
You’re hiding use or lying about it
You feel anxious, depressed, or irritable when not using
You’re mixing cocaine with alcohol or other substances
Your sleep, appetite, or mood has noticeably changed
Cocaine is taking up mental space even when you’re not using
You keep using despite consequences

If any of these land, it’s worth having a real conversation. That’s what we do all day. No judgment, no scare tactics.

Cocaine withdrawal: what to expect (and why support helps)

Cocaine withdrawal is usually not medically dangerous in the same way alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal can be, but it can be intensely uncomfortable and risky emotionally.

Common withdrawal symptoms include:

Strong cravings
Depression, sadness, hopelessness
Anxiety and agitation
Fatigue and heavy sleepiness (or insomnia)
Increased appetite
Trouble concentrating, brain fog
Anhedonia (nothing feels enjoyable)
Vivid dreams
Irritability
Suicidal thoughts for some people

That last point matters. Even if you’ve never had suicidal thoughts before, the crash and withdrawal period can bring them on. If that’s happening, you deserve immediate support.

If you’re in immediate danger or considering harming yourself, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911. In Vermont, you can also call 211 to help connect to local resources.

Treatment options for cocaine addiction in Vermont

Vermont has a range of supports, and the “right” level of care depends on your use pattern, safety needs, environment, and mental health.

1) Outpatient treatment (OP)

Outpatient care is a strong option when you’re medically stable and can live at home safely. It allows you to continue work, school, and family responsibilities while attending therapy sessions during the week.

This is what we do at River Rock Treatment.

2) Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

IOP offers more structure and support than standard outpatient, typically with multiple sessions per week. It’s a great fit if cravings are strong, relapse risk is high, or you need a tighter routine to stabilize.

3) Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

PHP is often a step below inpatient/residential care, with treatment most days of the week for several hours per day. This can be appropriate if you need near-daily support but still have a stable home environment.

4) Inpatient/residential treatment

Residential treatment can be helpful when someone needs a safe, substance-free environment to stabilize, especially if there’s severe use, co-occurring psychiatric symptoms, or an unsafe home situation.

5) Detox (when needed)

Cocaine detox isn’t always required, but sometimes detox or a higher level of stabilization is appropriate, especially if cocaine use is mixed with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines.

If you’re not sure what level you need, that’s okay. We can help you sort it out based on a real assessment, not guesswork.

What actually works for cocaine addiction treatment (evidence-based care)

There isn’t a single magic switch. Effective cocaine addiction treatment usually combines several proven approaches that support the brain, the body, and the patterns that keep the cycle going.

Therapy that targets the “loop”

Some of the most effective therapies for stimulant use include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify the thoughts, triggers, and behaviors that drive use, then build practical alternatives.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): Helps resolve ambivalence (the “part of me wants to stop, part of me doesn’t” feeling) in a respectful, non-shaming way.
Contingency Management (CM) principles: A reward-based approach shown to be especially effective for stimulant use disorders. Even when formal CM isn’t available everywhere, we can incorporate the same behavioral science: immediate reinforcement, measurable goals, and accountability.
Relapse prevention planning: Not just “avoid triggers,” but building a plan for what to do when cravings spike at 9:30 p.m. on a Friday, when your brain starts bargaining.

Co-occurring mental health treatment (this is a big one)

A lot of cocaine use is tied to underlying pain, including:

Anxiety and panic
Depression
ADHD symptoms
Trauma and PTSD
Bipolar spectrum symptoms
Stress, burnout, grief, shame

When mental health gets treated alongside substance use, outcomes tend to improve. If we only focus on cocaine and ignore the anxiety, insomnia, trauma, or depression underneath, cravings often come roaring back.

Family and relationship support

Cocaine can strain trust fast. Repairing relationships takes time, and it’s usually part of recovery. Healthy support systems matter, but they also need boundaries and clear communication.

Community supports

Many people benefit from peer support groups in Vermont (and online), including 12-step groups, SMART Recovery, or other recovery communities. We can help you explore what fits your style.

Medication: is there a “cocaine addiction medication”?

There is currently no FDA-approved medication specifically for cocaine use disorder. That can feel discouraging, but it doesn’t mean treatment is powerless.

Medications may still play an important role by treating co-occurring issues that can drive relapse, such as:

Depression or anxiety
ADHD symptoms
Sleep disruption
Mood instability
Cravings in certain cases (off-label approaches, carefully evaluated)

If medication support makes sense for you, we’ll talk about it as part of a whole-person plan, not as a quick fix.

Why outpatient treatment can be a great fit (especially in Vermont)

Outpatient recovery is real recovery. For many people, it’s the most practical and sustainable option because it happens in the context of daily life.

Here’s what outpatient care helps with:

Practicing coping skills in real time
Building a weekly routine that supports sobriety
Staying connected to work and family
Addressing triggers where they actually occur
Building accountability without uprooting your life

And if you’re thinking, “I don’t know if I’m bad enough for treatment,” outpatient is often the perfect starting point.

What treatment at River Rock can look like

We’re a clinically driven outpatient substance use and mental health treatment center located in Burlington, Vermont, on the eastern shoreline of Lake Champlain.

What that means in everyday terms is:

You’ll be met like a human being, not a diagnosis
We take structure and clinical quality seriously
We also understand that shame blocks recovery, so we don’t use it

Depending on your needs, care may include:

Assessment and individualized treatment planning
Individual therapy focused on cocaine use and relapse prevention
Mental health support for anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD symptoms, and more
Skills for cravings, emotional regulation, sleep, and stress
Support navigating higher levels of care if needed
Coordination with outside providers when appropriate

If you’ve tried to stop before and it didn’t stick, we’ll treat that as information, not failure. We’ll look at what happened, where the plan broke down, and how to build a stronger one.

Our Intensive Outpatient Program uses various clinical modalities to give each participant an individualized treatment plan.

In addition to our intensive outpatient programs, we also offer a range of services as part of our Comprehensive Community Behavioral Health Services. This ensures that our clients receive holistic care that addresses all aspects of their mental health and substance use issues.

A realistic look at relapse (without fear or shame)

Relapse is not a requirement, but it can be part of the process for some people. The goal is to reduce risk and respond early if things start slipping.

In our work, relapse prevention usually includes:

Identifying your personal triggers (people, places, emotions, paydays, conflict, loneliness)
Mapping your “warning signs” (sleep shifts, isolating, romanticizing use, skipping meals)
Building a plan for cravings (urge surfing, delay techniques, call lists, coping tools)
Creating barriers to impulsive use (money boundaries, location boundaries, accountability)
Strengthening recovery supports (therapy, groups, routines, connection)
Building a plan for slips (what to do in the first 24 hours)

The sooner you catch it, the less damage it does. And if a slip happens, it’s not “start over from zero.” It’s “get honest fast and get back to the plan.”

What to do if your loved one is using cocaine

Watching someone you love use cocaine can make you feel helpless, angry, scared, and exhausted. All of those feelings make sense.

A few things that tend to help:

Talk when they’re sober. Avoid serious conversations during a crash, high, or conflict.
Be specific. Focus on concrete behaviors and impacts rather than labels.
Set boundaries you can keep. Boundaries are about what you will do, not controlling them.
Don’t argue about whether it’s “that bad.” Stick to what you’re seeing and what you need.
Offer help with next steps. Finding treatment can feel overwhelming when someone is anxious or ashamed.
Get support for yourself too. You don’t have to carry this alone.

If you want help figuring out what to say, we can talk through options and next steps.

Choosing a cocaine addiction treatment provider in Vermont: what to look for

If you’re comparing options, here are some questions worth asking any program:

Do you treat substance use and mental health together?
What therapies do you use for stimulant addiction (CBT, MI, relapse prevention, CM principles)?
What does a typical week look like?
How do you personalize care instead of using a one-size plan?
How do you handle relapse risk and safety concerns?
Do you coordinate with other providers if needed?
Do you help with step-down/step-up planning if care needs change?

You deserve care that’s organized, compassionate, and grounded in what works.

FAQ: Cocaine Addiction Treatment in Vermont

How do I know if I need treatment or just need to “cut back”?

If you’ve tried to cut back and it hasn’t worked, if cravings are strong, if use is impacting mood/sleep/relationships/work, or if you’re hiding it, treatment is worth considering. You don’t need to wait for things to get worse.

Is outpatient treatment enough for cocaine addiction?

For many people, yes. Outpatient can be a great fit when you’re medically stable, have a safe living environment, and can commit to appointments and recovery work. If you need a higher level of care, we’ll be honest about that and help you navigate it.

What if I’m also drinking when I use cocaine?

That’s very common and important to address. Combining cocaine and alcohol produces a metabolite called cocaethylene, which can increase strain on the heart and liver and raise risk. Treatment should address both patterns together.

Does cocaine addiction treatment require detox?

Not always. Cocaine withdrawal is often more psychological than medically dangerous, but it can involve serious depression and suicidality. If there are other substances involved (like alcohol or benzos), detox may be necessary. We can help you determine what’s safest.

How long does cocaine addiction treatment take?

There’s no one timeline. Some people start stabilizing in weeks, others need longer-term support. We focus on progress: reduced use, improved coping, stabilized mood and sleep, stronger routines, and a solid relapse prevention plan.

Can you treat anxiety or depression at the same time?

Yes. In fact, treating co-occurring anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, and related issues is often essential for long-term recovery from cocaine.

What if I’m afraid of being judged?

That’s one of the most common fears we hear. Our job is to help you get well, not to shame you. If you’re reaching out, that’s strength, not something to apologize for.

Ready to talk about next steps?

If you’re looking for cocaine addiction treatment in Vermont and you want outpatient care that’s clinically grounded, supportive, and personalized, reach out to us at River Rock Treatment in Burlington.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before you call. Just start with the truth of what’s happening, and we’ll take it from there.