Modulating effect of alcohol use on cocaine use.

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Psychopharmacology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Clinical observations suggest alcohol use by cocaine/crack users to mitigate negative effects, particularly during withdrawal.
• Dual diagnosis of substance use disorders, specifically cocaine/alcohol, is a significant public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of alcohol in modulating cocaine/crack use among individuals with a history of opiate dependence.
• To examine the relationship between cocaine craving, perceived loss of control, and alcohol use for managing withdrawal.

Main Methods:

• Path analysis model applied to interview data from 66 dual cocaine/alcohol users in methadone treatment.
• Assessment of self-reported frequency and reasons for alcohol use in relation to cocaine/crack use patterns.

Main Results:

• Approximately 60% of participants reported using alcohol to alleviate discomfort during cocaine/crack cessation.
• Increased cocaine/crack craving and loss of control over use predicted higher alcohol consumption for managing withdrawal.
• Frequent alcohol use for 'coming down' correlated with reduced cocaine/crack use but increased heavy alcohol consumption.

Conclusions:

• Alcohol serves a significant modulating function in the cocaine/crack use cycle for dual users.
• Treatment strategies for alcohol abuse in this population must address its role in mitigating cocaine/crack withdrawal symptoms.