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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
10:28
Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice
Published on: February 18, 2016
[Initiation cocaine use in elderly patients: a case report].
Carlos Roncero1, Constanza Daigre, Arantxa Uguidos
1Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Valle Hebrón, Barcelona.
Vertex (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
|December 30, 2009
Summary
Cocaine use in older adults is often overlooked, with late-onset use and relapse being documented. This population experiences greater health risks from cocaine dependence.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Addiction Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Cocaine use is infrequent in older adults, leading to potential underdiagnosis.
- Cases of late-onset cocaine initiation and relapse in elderly individuals have been documented.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old woman presented with cocaine dependence, initiating use at age 60.
- Risk factors identified include retirement, chronic pain, affective symptoms, and loneliness.
- Elderly individuals face heightened medical complications and health deterioration from cocaine use compared to younger populations.
Findings:
- Late-onset cocaine use and relapse are occurring in the elderly population.
- Specific risk factors contribute to increased cocaine use and underreporting in older adults.
- Older individuals are disproportionately affected by the negative health consequences of cocaine use.
Implications:
- Cocaine use should be routinely assessed in all patients, especially the elderly.
- Atypical medical or psychiatric presentations in older adults warrant specific screening for substance abuse.
- Increased awareness and targeted screening are crucial for managing cocaine dependence in geriatric populations.
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