This blog has been reviewed by Lester Morse, Director of Rehabs UK, who has over 30 years’ experience helping individuals overcome various forms of addiction. Rehabs UK is a leading authority in addiction treatment and recovery and offers a range of connected services and support, including detox and rehabilitation programmes and therapy.

The use of cocaine is increasing, especially in the United Kingdom, Cocaine deaths were nearly 10 times higher in 2023 than a decade earlier, claiming more than 1,100 lives and affecting a larger number of people and families than in previous years.

It is essential to comprehend the reasons for this increase to support our loved ones facing difficulties and Rehabs UK articles What’s Behind the Recent Rise in Cocaine Addiction in the UK? and Causes and Effects of Cocaine Addiction: What’s Really Going On? explore these underlying factors, providing insights into how and why people fall into cocaine dependency. Knowing the right way to assist loved ones in this situation is crucial for their recovery journey.

[Contents]

• How to spot the symptoms of cocaine addiction
• How to help someone struggling with cocaine addiction
• How to help someone through coke withdrawal
• Intervention for cocaine addiction
• Getting specialist help for your loved one

How to spot the symptoms of cocaine addiction

To get your loved one the help they need it's important to understand and recognise the symptoms of cocaine addiction. There are common symptoms which include dilated pupils, erratic behaviour, extreme mood swings and financial problems which are due to drug use. There are often other, more subtle signs. If you would like a deeper look at the full range of symptoms visit our page Signs and symptoms of cocaine addiction.

How to help someone struggling with cocaine addiction

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When Supporting an Addict Do:

• Learn the symptoms – Educating yourself enables you to recognise addiction’s impact.
• Talk to them honestly – Approach them with understanding and openness.
• Get support for yourself – Supporting an addict is emotionally taxing; don’t neglect your mental health.
• Focus on building trust – Trust is key in helping your loved one open up and accept help.
• Help them to seek professional help – Encourage them to access services such as therapy or rehab.
• Respect their privacy while being supportive – While staying involved, respect their space and personal boundaries.

When Supporting an Addict Don’t:

• Be judgemental – Avoid harsh criticism, which can push them further away.
• Enable behaviours – Don’t excuse or support their drug use, even indirectly.
• Give ultimatums – Hard-line demands can strain relationships and cause more harm.
• Criticise or shame them – Addiction is a disease, not a moral failing.
• Expect immediate change – Recovery is a long process, often with setbacks.

Learn the symptoms of cocaine addiction

There are several early warning signs when looking at cocaine addiction. These could include weight loss, nasal damage, sudden bursts of overconfidence and paranoia. If you are aware of the symptoms, you may be able to intervene before the situation worsens.

Talk honestly

One of the most important steps in helping a loved one is having an honest conversation. Share how their addiction is affecting your life and your relationship. Make sure your tone is supportive rather than accusatory, so they feel heard and not attacked.

Get support for yourself

Supporting someone with an addiction can take an emotional toll. Whether it's therapy, support groups, or talking to friends, find ways to manage your well-being. There are resources available for family members and friends of addicts that can help you navigate this challenging journey.

Scott Ardley, Senior Treatment Advisor at Rehabs UK states: we help a lot of people get support. It isn't always just the individual dealing with the addiction but family members and friends can benefit from some of the services we provide such as therapy and family talk sessions. Don’t hesitate to contact us!”

What is the difference between helping and enabling a coke addict?

There’s a fine line between helping and enabling. Enabling behaviours might include giving them money, covering up for their drug use, or making excuses for them. Helping means providing them with the tools and support they need to seek recovery, not facilitating their addiction.

Don’t give ultimatums

Ultimatums rarely work in addiction situations and can often push your loved one further away. While it's important to set boundaries, try to approach the conversation with empathy rather than threats.

Don't criticise or shame them for cocaine use

Criticism and shaming can increase feelings of guilt and helplessness, which may deepen their addiction. Instead, focus on providing a supportive environment that encourages positive change.

Don’t expect immediate change

Recovery from addiction takes time, and relapses are common. Set realistic expectations and understand that progress is often slow and challenging.

How to help someone through coke withdrawal

The most successful way to help someone through a cocaine withdrawal is with professional help. This is the safest way as the individual will be monitored throughout. However, be present to offer emotional support, encourage them to seek help if needed and keep them hydrated.

Find the right method

Recovery looks different for different people, it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some individuals respond well to CBT therapy whilst others may benefit better from support groups, online therapy or through medication. It's important to have an understanding of the different options, which our team of Treatment Advisors are more than happy to talk you through to figure out which is best suited to your loved one.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

CBT is one of the most popular forms of therapy and has proven effective in treating addiction by helping individuals change their thought patterns. In 2021-22, CBT was the most common therapy given to patients, accounting for 44.6% of all courses. For more in-depth knowledge about CBT visit our specialist page.

Online therapy

The option of online therapy can be beneficial to some individuals. It offers a more flexible and accessible option for those who might be a functioning addict with busy schedules or those who prefer privacy rather than group settings. In 2024, 13% of therapy sessions were conducted online, which is a significant increase from 1% in 2020.

Medication

Medication can sometimes help manage the symptoms of withdrawal or reduce cravings. Always consult a doctor to explore medical options, as not all treatments are suitable for everyone.

Cocaine support groups

Support groups, such as Cocaine Anonymous, provide addicts with a safe and supportive environment to share experiences. These groups can be a powerful tool in helping someone stay accountable during recovery.

Intervention for cocaine addiction

There are some cases where an intervention might be the best option to get loved ones to seek help. If the intervention is planned carefully and often with the help of a professional it can sometimes be the extra push that a person needs to enter treatment.

Rehab

Rehabilitation programmes, like those offered at Rehabs UK, provide structured support for those struggling with cocaine addiction. These programmes can be residential or outpatient, depending on the individual's needs. In 2021 to 2022, 49% of people who left drug and alcohol treatment successfully completed their treatment.

Post-rehab aftercare considerations

When someone completes rehab it's vital to continue with the process to continue sobriety, support from family, friends, care workers and like-minded individuals is key.

Scott Ardley states: “We offer our own online Family Support Group every Wednesday at 12 Noon which is facilitated by a trained therapist, This also includes a dedicated WhatsApp group which you can included in to and have further engagement with others in similar situations

By surrounding yourself with the right kind of support, you can establish healthy boundaries that facilitate a quicker path to recovery for your loved one. This approach not only helps them but also ensures that you maintain your own well-being throughout the process.”

Being Involved in aftercare

Loved ones can play a significant role in aftercare by offering emotional support, providing a safe space, or helping avoid triggering environments. For more on aftercare and a look at what Rehabs UK can provide visit Aftercare at Rehabs UK.

Getting specialist help for your loved one

If you or someone you know is struggling with cocaine addiction please reach out. At Rehabs UK we have a team of fully qualified Treatment Advisors to offer expert guidance on any queries you may have. We offer a range of treatment options and will only direct you or your loved one to the suitable match for each situation.