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Article
Among Long-Term Crack Smokers, Who Avoids and Who Succumbs to Cocaine Addiction?
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
  • Russel S. Falck, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Jichuan Wang, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Robert G. Carlson, Wright State University - Main Campus
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2008
Abstract

Crack cocaine is a highly addictive drug. To learn more about crack addiction, long-term crack smokers who had never met the DSM-IV criteria for lifetime cocaine dependence were compared with those who had. The study sample consisted of crack users (n=172) from the Dayton, Ohio, area who were interviewed periodically over 8 years. Data were collected on a range of variables including age of crack initiation, frequency of recent use, and lifetime cocaine dependence. Cocaine dependence was common with 62.8% of the sample having experienced it. There were no statistically significant differences between dependent and non-dependent users for age of crack initiation or frequency of crack use. In terms of sociodemographics, only race/ethnicity was significant, with proportionally fewer African-Americans than whites meeting the criteria for cocaine dependence. Controlling for sociodemographics, partial correlation analysis showed positive, statistically significant relationships between lifetime cocaine dependence and anti-social personality disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and lifetime dependence on alcohol, cannabis, amphetamine, sedative-hypnotics, and opioids. These results highlight the importance addressing race/ethnicity and comorbid disorders when developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions targeting people who use crack cocaine. Additional research is needed to better understand the role of race/ethnicity in the development of cocaine dependence resulting from crack use.

DOI
10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.04.004
Citation Information
Russel S. Falck, Jichuan Wang and Robert G. Carlson. "Among Long-Term Crack Smokers, Who Avoids and Who Succumbs to Cocaine Addiction?" Drug and Alcohol Dependence Vol. 98 Iss. 1-2 (2008) p. 24 - 29 ISSN: 0376-8716
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/robert_carlson/52/