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
It is the collective experience of the members of Cocaine Anonymous that addiction is a problem not limited to cocaine or any other mind-altering substance. With this in mind, we suggest you answer the following questions:
1. Have you ever used more cocaine, alcohol or other drugs than you planned?
2. Has the use of cocaine, alcohol or other drugs ever interfered with your job?
3. Is your use of cocaine, alcohol or other drugs causing problems within your relationships?
4. Do you ever feel depressed, guilty, or remorseful after using cocaine, alcohol or other drugs?
5. Do you use whatever cocaine, alcohol or other drugs you have, almost continually, until the supply is exhausted?
6. Have you ever experienced physical problems due to your use of cocaine, alcohol or other drugs?
7. Do you ever regret using cocaine, alcohol or other drugs for the first time?
8. Do you ever obsess about getting cocaine, alcohol or other drugs when you do not have any?
9. Are you experiencing financial difficulties due to your use of cocaine, alcohol or other drugs?
10. Do you experience an anticipation high when you are about to use cocaine, alcohol or other drugs?
11. Do you have difficulty sleeping without alcohol or other drugs?
12. Are you absorbed with the thought of using cocaine, alcohol or other drugs even while interacting with a friend or loved one?
13. Have you begun to use cocaine, alcohol or other drugs while you’re alone?
14. While using or drinking, do you ever have feelings that people are talking about you or watching you?
15. Do you have to use more cocaine, alcohol or other drugs to get the same effects you once experienced?
16. Have you tried to cut down on your use of cocaine, alcohol or other drugs only to find that you could not?
17. Have you tried to stop using cocaine, alcohol or other drugs only to find that you could not stay stopped?
18. Have any of your friends or family suggested that you may have a problem with cocaine, alcohol or other drugs?
19. Have you ever lied to or misled people about how much cocaine, alcohol or other drugs you use?
20. Have you ever lied to or misled people about how often you get high or drunk?
21. Do you use cocaine, alcohol or other drugs in your car, at work, in the bathroom, or in other public places?
22. Are you afraid that if you stop using cocaine, alcohol or other drugs, your work will suffer or you will not be able to function?
23. Do you spend time around people or go places you would normally stay away from if not for the availability of cocaine, alcohol or other drugs?
24. Have you ever stolen money, cocaine, alcohol, or other drugs from friends or family?
25. Has using and/or drinking cost you more than money?
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.