What Is Cocaine Anonymous?
“Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. There are no dues or fees for membership; we are fully self supporting through our own contributions. We are not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution. We do not wish to engage in any controversy and we neither endorse nor oppose any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free from cocaine and all other mind-altering substances, and to help others achieve the same freedom.
We use the Twelve Step Recovery Program, because it has already been proven that the Twelve Step Recovery Program works.”
C.A.’s Purpose
C.A. is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual drug addicts who turn to our Fellowship for help. We do not engage in the fields of drug addiction research, medical or psychiatric treatment, drug education, or propaganda in any form — although members may participate in such activities as individuals.
Cocaine Anonymous is open to all persons who state a desire to stop using cocaine, including “crack” cocaine, as well as all other mind-altering substances. There are no dues or fees for membership. Our expenses are supported by the voluntary contributions of our members — we respectfully decline all outside contributions. We are not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution.
Our program of recovery was adapted from the program developed by Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. Like AA (with which we are not affiliated), we use the Twelve Step recovery method, which involves service to others as a path towards recovery from addiction. We feel that one addict talking to another can provide a level of mutual understanding and fellowship that is hard to obtain through other methods. The fact that an individual has recovered from their addiction, and is freely passing this experience on to the next person, is a powerful message for someone who is desperately searching for an answer to their own addiction. There emerges a bond among us that transcends all other social boundaries. We hold regular meetings to further this fellowship, and to allow new members to find us and, perhaps, the answers they seek.
Self-Test for Cocaine Addiction
- Do you ever use more cocaine than you planned?
- Has the use of cocaine interfered with your job?
- Is your cocaine use causing conflict with your spouse or family?
- Do you feel depressed, guilty, or remorseful after you use cocaine?
- Do you use whatever cocaine you have almost continuously until the supply is exhausted?
- Have you ever experienced sinus problems or nosebleeds due to cocaine use?
- Do you ever wish that you had never taken that first line, hit, or injection of cocaine?
- Have you experienced chest pains or rapid or irregular heartbeats when using cocaine?
- Do you have an obsession to get cocaine when you don’t have it?
- Are you experiencing financial difficulties due to your cocaine use?
- Do you experience an anticipation high just knowing you are about to use cocaine?
- After using cocaine, do you have difficulty sleeping without taking a drink or another drug?
- Are you absorbed with the thought of getting loaded even while interacting with a friend or loved one?
- Have you begun to use drugs or drink alone?
- Do you ever have feelings that people are talking about you or watching you?
- Do you use larger doses of drugs or alcohol to get the same high you once experienced?
- Have you tried to quit or cut down on your cocaine use only to find that you couldn’t?
- Have any of your friends or family suggested that you may have a problem?
- Have you ever lied to or misled those around you about how much or how often you use?
- Do you use drugs in your car, at work, in the bathroom, on airplanes, or other public places?
- Are you afraid that if you stop using cocaine or alcohol your work will suffer or you will lose your energy, motivation, or confidence?
- Do you spend time with people or in places you otherwise would not be around but for the availability of drugs?
- Have you ever stolen drugs or money from friends or family?
If you have answered Yes to any of these questions, you may have a cocaine problem. There is an answer…come to meetings of Cocaine Anonymous, read the literature and join us…we want to help.