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Article
Crack-Cocaine Use and Health Status as Defined by the SF-36
Addictive Behaviors
  • Russel S. Falck, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Jichuan Wang, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Robert G. Carlson, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Harvey A. Siegal, Wright State University - Main Campus
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2000
Abstract

The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) was administered to 443 not-in-treatment, crack-cocaine smokers to explore the relationship between frequency of crack, alcohol, and tobacco use, addiction to these drugs, and health status. The reliability of the SF-36 with crack smokers was also assessed. Statistically significant, negative associations emerged between frequency of crack use and all SF-36 subscales except physical functioning. There were not significant associations between frequency of alcohol or tobacco use and any SF-36 subscale. Self-assessed addiction to crack was strongly and negatively associated with all SF-36 subscales; alcohol and tobacco addiction were also negatively associated with health status, but not to the degree of crack. The SF-36 produces reliable data on the health status of crack users and, as such, may have a useful role in assessments involving crack-using populations.

Citation Information
Russel S. Falck, Jichuan Wang, Robert G. Carlson and Harvey A. Siegal. "Crack-Cocaine Use and Health Status as Defined by the SF-36" Addictive Behaviors Vol. 25 Iss. 4 (2000) p. 579 - 584 ISSN: 0306-4603
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/robert_carlson/26/