Cocaine Craving in Substance Abuse: The Standup® Method as On-Line Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Craving is a central phenomenon in cocaine use disorder (CUD), significantly influencing relapse risk and treatment outcomes. The STANDUP® method, an innovative telemedicine-based intervention, integrates structured behavioral modification, cognitive restructuring and digital therapeutics to target reward, relief and obsessive craving subtypes. This study evaluates the efficacy of STANDUP® in reducing craving intensity, tracking longitudinal changes across T0 (baseline), T1 (post 3 months treatment) and T2 (post 6 months treatment). Results indicate a 40-50% craving reduction at T1, confirming the short-term effectiveness of structured interventions, while a partial resurgence at T2 highlights the need for long-term craving management. Obsessive craving emerged as the strongest predictor of relapse, emphasizing the role of executive function training and self-regulation strategies. The integration of digital craving monitoring, AI-driven personalization and neurocognitive rehabilitation within STANDUP® aligns with precision addiction medicine principles, offering a scalable, evidence-based model for craving regulation and relapse prevention. Further research is needed to optimize long-term sustainability and hybrid telemedicine-in-person care models.