CA Meetings

Cocaine Anonymous (CA) is a fellowship of men and women who have had a history of cocaine addiction and are starting the journey to recovery. 

CA is self-funded and relies on members’ individual contributions. Religion, faith, politics, organisation or institution do not bind it. It simply exists to serve its members’ common goal – sobriety from cocaine. 

The last year has seen an increase in the number of adults in the UK seeking treatment for cocaine addiction, as the UK has become the second-biggest user of cocaine in the world across all demographics. Organisations like Cocaine Anonymous are important as more people are being impacted by cocaine addiction.

Who are Cocaine Anonymous?

CA is a global fellowship with chapters across the world. They are involved in the personal recovery and continued sobriety of cocaine addicts who turn to the fellowship for help.

The members of CA come from different social, ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds but are united in their struggle against cocaine addiction.

CA encourages the use of the 12 steps to foster connection and community between members. While not religious, the 12 steps are rooted in spirituality and require the person with a cocaine addiction to use a ‘higher power’ for support in recovery.

Cocaine addiction is often associated with white-collar crime, but opiates and crack cocaine are also included in cocaine addiction recovery – especially as usage rates of crack cocaine and opiates increase.

How does Cocaine Anonymous work?

CA is a fellowship, meaning it is member-run and member-driven. As the name suggests, it is anonymous. Members’ identities are never released to the public or on social media, guaranteeing a safe space for cocaine addiction recovery.

Meetings are an integral part of recovering from cocaine addiction as they allow new members to introduce themselves to the group, participate in discussions around behaviour and addiction, and meet new people who have a shared experience with cocaine addiction.

The 12-step programme

CA uses a 12-step framework to help shift the thinking and behaviour of people with cocaine addiction. While ‘God’ and a ‘higher power’ are mentioned in these steps, CA stresses that these terms are subject to individual interpretation—a higher power could include the power of community or nature.

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 alcoholics and practise these principles in all our affairs

What should I expect from a typical Cocaine Anonymous meeting?

Taking the first step and admitting you have a problem with cocaine can be difficult. CA meetings are designed to be welcoming to all.
CA meetings follow a set format that consists of:

• Cocaine Anonymous literature readings
• Personal stories of cocaine addiction recovery from members

Some meetings will also include meditation or big book readings. The Cocaine Anonymous website will have more details about each meeting’s format.

Turn up on time for the meeting and introduce yourself to the group leader. You won’t have to speak—you can sit back and listen to the stories of former cocaine addicts and their path to recovery.

Both online and in-person meetings are available for those seeking help with cocaine addiction.

What are the benefits of Cocaine Anonymous meetings?

Academic literature surrounding 12-step programmes and addiction highlights many of the benefits that come with joining a member-run fellowship for cocaine addiction recovery:

• Accessible for everyone: CA is designed to be accessible to everyone, united in a common goal—sobriety.
• Provides a sense of belonging and purpose: When asked to describe the benefits of CA, participants identified the social community and camaraderie of 12-step programmes. Strong social connections were found to lessen substance abuse.
• Proven results: Participation is linked to decreased cocaine use, increased abstinence rates, improved health and enhanced social functioning. In a broad sample of cocaine addicts and users, it was found that 12-step programmes encourage sobriety in the long term.

The Cocaine Anonymous website recommends the following for people with a cocaine addiction looking to make the most out of the fellowship:

• Connect with members: Use the new sober friends you’ll make through meetings. Take phone numbers and connect with the community.
• Take it one day at a time: If necessary, take cocaine addiction recovery day by day.
• Listen: Listen to the stories of former cocaine addicts and learn from them as you start your recovery journey.
  Seeking treatment for cocaine addiction is even more important as Cocaine deaths continue to increase year-on-year. Contact us today to learn more about potential rehabilitation treatment options.

Regional Cocaine Anonymous Meetings

If you are struggling with cocaine addiction, there are plenty of local meetings nearby. You can find a list of local meetings on the CA UK website.

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