Mental disorders as risk factors for the development of cocaine abuse/dependence: Case-control study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of psychiatric disorders and alcohol dependence as possible risk factors for cocaine abuse/dependence. Methods: The case-control study used the 'snowball' technique in order to select untreated cocaine users (cases) and to match sex, age and friendship. Information was gathered using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), and computer diagnosis were generated according to the DSM- III-R criteria. The analysis was performed through the logistic conditional regression. Results: The study included 208 subjects. The main results showed that having a history of alcohol dependence was independently associated with an increased risk of cocaine abuse/dependence (OR=15,1; 95% CI 3,8-60,2); no other psychiatric disorder was significantly associated with an increase in this risk after the multivariate analysis. An increased risk of cocaine abuse/dependence was also found for those who related suicide thoughts (OR=3,1; 95% CI 0,91-10,8), suggesting an association between more severe manifestations of depression and cocaine abuse. Conclusions: These findings suggest that programs directed towards the treatment and prevention of cocaine abuse must be prepared to address issues related to comorbidity of drug abuse with alcohol and other psychiatric disorders.