Initially, at the start of treatment, an individual receives help in reaching a state of stability. At a stable state, the person is no longer displaying symptoms of addiction and is no longer seeking cocaine. Rehabilitation begins at this point. The user is taught to identify the “triggers” that make him/ her turn to cocaine usages. Once triggers are identified, the user seeks to break the habits that encourage these or lead to these. Likewise, behavior alteration seeks to change a person’s coping habits – such as, if a person “escaped” by using illicit drugs or alcohol, another more healthy way of coping is introduced/ taught.

Another effective approach, according to the cocaine treatment study, is the cognitive-behavioral approach. In this treatment approach, abstinence is pressed. Continued abstinence can only be achieved by identifying the situations, scenarios, and people that encourage cocaine use. The user is taught to stay away from these elements, and learn to cope without cocaine. This approach believes that cocaine dependence is learned; hence, it can also be unlearned. Unlearning begins when the user quits using the illicit substance and controls the influences around him/ her.