Coke, Crack, and Alcohol: Let's Fit In



          Alcohol and cocaine are quite often abused simultaneously and often individuals are dependent on both. This is supported by the fact that in five cities within the United States 85% of the individuals who were dependent on cocaine are also dependent on alcohol. This could be due to the impact biologically that cocaine (stimulant) and alcohol (depressant) have on the individual. The combination of these drugs creates a completely new metabolite called cocaethylene which results in different effects than either of the drugs alone. Research also suggests that the way an individual chooses to administer cocaine matters. It could impact the concentration of cocaethylene in the individual’s system.

          Gina Martin and colleagues (2014) wanted to find out the motivation behind using cocaine and alcohol simultaneously by comparing the different routes of administration for cocaine (snorting coke/smoking crack). The researchers looked at four possible motivations; coping with negative affect, enhancement, to be social, or to conform. Participants included clients in treatment for cocaine and alcohol who took a self-administered questionnaire. The study found that individuals who smoke crack had higher levels of dependence on cocaine than individuals who snort coke. Participants who smoke crack and use alcohol together were more likely to be older and have lower levels of education and employment when compared to the participants who snort coke and drink alcohol. What is really interesting is that the researchers found that using alcohol and snorting cocaine may be socially important to these individuals. There is less social importance for those individuals who smoke crack. It seems that individuals would prefer to smoke crack alone, but snort coke socially (Martin, Macdonald, Pakula, & Roth, 2014).

        These findings are important because they incorporate two components of the biopsychosocial model for substance abuse by looking at the route of administration which impacts onset of the drug (biological component), and looking at the social component with motivation. Some limitations for this study include the self-report measures and the use of quota sampling. The biggest limitation though is that the findings cannot really be generalized to all substance abusers because all of the participants in this study were in a treatment program, which sets them apart from individuals who do not seek treatment. These findings have implications for treatment of individuals with cocaine and alcohol substance abuse disorders, and they should encourage more research to consider the route of administration of cocaine.

Abstract 

Martin, G. , Macdonald, S., Pakula, B., & Roth, E. A. (2014). A comparison of motivations for use among users of crack cocaine and cocaine powder in a sample of simultaneous cocaine and alcohol users. Adictive Behaviors, 39, 699-702.