Cocaine Anonymous (CA)

What Is Cocaine Anonymous?

Cocaine Anonymous (CA) is a support group for individuals living with cocaine addiction who wish to enter recovery. Formed in 1982, Cocaine Anonymous is identified as a drug-specific fellowship based on the twelve-step philosophy pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous.

The twelve-step philosophy is based on the belief in a higher power, and anyone of any religion or faith is welcome. By attending in-person or online meetings, a CA member can discuss the challenges and triumphs they experience through recovery with other addicts on the same journey.

Through a combination of peer support and working through the 12 steps, many CA members can achieve and maintain sobriety. According to CA, the only requirement to join is a desire to enter recovery from addiction to mind-altering substances.

Cocaine Anonymous VS Other Support Groups

Cocaine Anonymous is very similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. In fact, the 12 steps of CA were adapted from the “big book” 12 steps developed by AA in 1935. Since the success of AA, many other support groups have utilized the twelve-step approach.

However, not all support groups use the 12 steps. For example, SMART Recovery® does not use the twelve-step model and instead uses recovery techniques based on Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Other smaller, community-based support groups may focus on providing a space for individuals to share the more difficult or traumatic experiences they’ve endured during their addiction.

Peer support can be a valuable option for addicts who have withdrawn socially or lack a positive support system.

Cocaine Anonymous Core Principles

Cocaine Anonymous core principles are built around the 12 steps and the 12 traditions. The 12 steps refer to CA’s program of recovery, where each member works through the 12 steps, completing each one before moving to the next.

On the other hand, the 12 traditions describe guidelines for how the organization functions to ensure ethical and equitable practices among every local chapter of CA. It also includes rules for how the organization and members should conduct themselves during meetings and events.

Like other twelve-step organizations, CA is based on the belief in a higher power and often talks about surrendering to that higher power.

There is no official religious requirement to engage in CA or any other 12-step program, but the presence of spirituality means CA may not be for everyone.

What Are the 12 Steps of Cocaine Anonymous?

The 12 steps of Cocaine Anonymous are the core of the organization’s Program of Recovery and are intended to be worked through in order. Each step presents a statement for the addict to meditate on and work towards.

For example, the first step is “We admitted we were powerless over cocaine and all other mind-altering substances—that our lives had become unmanageable.” The addict will ponder and internalize this statement through group meetings and individual reflection.

Once the addict feels they have fully understood and achieved that step, they move on to the next. The speed at which an addict goes through the steps may vary based on the meetings they attend and how quickly they progress through their recovery.

Attendees often find their understanding of the steps changes over time, even after they have achieved sobriety. The 12 steps can be used as daily mantras or affirmations to reinforce recovery for years to come.

According to the CA World Services website, the Cocaine Anonymous 12 steps are as follows:

1. We admitted we were powerless over cocaine and all other mind-altering substances — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Cocaine Anonymous Meetings

Modern technology has made CA meetings more accessible than ever. Meetings may be held in person, online via services like Zoom, or over the phone.

Regardless of the format, CA meetings are extremely welcoming, supportive environments that focus on making new members feel comfortable.

What to Expect from a Cocaine Anonymous Meeting

Most in-person or virtual meetings have similar formats, although the exact order may vary between different chapters and regions. Most meetings are weekly and will begin with a welcome and the Serenity Prayer.

The Serenity Prayer is non-denominational and promotes acceptance of what can and cannot be changed. Next, members will introduce themselves and begin reciting and discussing various pieces of CA literature.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” – The Serenity Prayer

The meeting will then open up for group discussion, giving each member three to five minutes to share a personal experience with the group. New members are also welcome to ask questions during this period.

Meetings typically last an hour. Once the meeting draws to an end, any upcoming events are announced, and the group ends with a joint prayer before dispersing.

Benefits of Attending Cocaine Anonymous

Support groups like Cocaine Anonymous provide essential socialization for addicts. Some cocaine addicts may no longer have friends and family supporting them, or those relationships may be strained.

CA provides a safe, supportive space for recovering cocaine addicts to speak candidly about their challenges.

CA meetings give recovering addicts an opportunity to meet people with similar troubles. The peer support these meetings provide can help addicts feel less alone and help strengthen accountability with others.

In addition, CA is a self-supporting organization, meaning that meetings are free and no dues are necessary.

CA believes their groups should always be self-sustaining in the spirit of tradition seven. Members can choose to make their own contributions to the group but do NOT accept money from outside sources.

Other benefits of Cocaine Anonymous include:

• Providing structure and a clear path for reaching sobriety
• Improving social skills and self-esteem
• Helping addicts make new friends and connections after social isolation
• Allowing addicts to take responsibility for their own recovery
• Giving addicts access to community resources and better education about the effects of cocaine

How to Join Cocaine Anonymous Meetings

Cocaine Anonymous meetings are open to anyone as long as the individual is committed to quitting cocaine. There are a few ways to find and join local CA meetings.

First, you can call your local chapter on CA’s United States meeting page or, if you’re not in the US, by selecting your country on this page. You can also attend a virtual meeting, which can be found on CA’s virtual meeting finder.

Many CA meetings are held in community centers, so you can also visit your local libraries, rec centers, or any community space to see if CA meetings are held there.

Finding Help for Cocaine Addiction

Getting help for cocaine addiction for yourself or a loved one can be daunting. Some people start with support groups, while others use support groups as a supplement to existing treatment plans.

Whatever your path, there are many treatment options available, and finding the right one can make all the difference in your recovery. You can start by looking for a local in-person or virtual CA meeting.

You can also call the CA Hotline at (310) 559-5833.

If you want to seek a treatment program, you can start by discussing your cocaine abuse with your doctor or contact local treatment centers for more information.

You can also try SAMHSA’s online treatment locator or call the helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn what treatment centers are near you.