Helping your patients beat cocaine addiction. The four dimensions of treatment

Despite public health efforts aimed at curbing the steady increase of drug abuse in this country, many patients continue to require treatment for cocaine addiction. A comprehensive treatment approach requires integration of pharmacologic, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions, although research is needed to demonstrate the efficacy of such an approach in maintaining abstinence. Primary care physicians' assessment and treatment of their cocaine-addicted patients is a critical initial step on the way to specialized psychiatric and/or other specialized care for addiction and, hopefully, to sustained recovery.