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Alcohol and cocaine interactions and aggressive behaviors
M E Denison1, A Paredes, J B Booth
1Laboratory for the Study of Addictions, West Los Angeles Veterans Administration, California 90073, USA.
Recent Developments in Alcoholism : an Official Publication of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism, the Research Society on Alcoholism, and the National Council on Alcoholism
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Cocaine and alcohol use correlate with increased violent and deviant behaviors in men. Abstinence from these substances may reduce such behaviors, with changes observed before and after cocaine addiction onset.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Behavioral science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Previous research indicates a link between substance use and aggression.
- Cocaine and alcohol are frequently co-used, potentially exacerbating behavioral issues.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for addiction treatment and public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on cocaine, alcohol, and violent/aggressive behavior.
- To investigate deviant and violent behaviors in cocaine-dependent men.
- To analyze behavioral changes before, during, and after cocaine addiction careers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on substance use and aggression.
- Analysis of behavioral data from a sample of cocaine-dependent men.
- Comparison of behaviors during periods of cocaine use, alcohol use, co-use, and abstinence.
Main Results:
- Findings align with prior research, showing increased deviant/violent behavior with cocaine and alcohol use.
- The study details the extent of these behaviors across different substance use states (use, co-use, abstinence).
- Significant changes in the nature of deviant and violent behaviors were observed before and after cocaine addiction onset.
Conclusions:
- Combined use of cocaine and alcohol appears to significantly elevate the risk of violent and deviant behaviors.
- Behavioral patterns associated with addiction change over the course of a cocaine addiction career.
- Further research is warranted to explore the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms underlying these associations.