NCJ Number
157847
Journal
Annals of Clinical Psychiatry Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Pages: 31-35
Date Published
Unknown
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Violence associated with cocaine use was examined using anonymous structured telephone interviews with 452 males who inquired about a possible cocaine problem.
Abstract
The same two interviews conducted all the interviews over a month-long period. Participants all qualified for the diagnosis of cocaine dependence according to DSM-III-R criteria. Their average age was 28.3 years. Results revealed that 35 percent used cocaine intranasally, 7 percent intravenously, 30 percent by freebase, 30 percent through crack use, and 15 percent through a combination of methods. Behavioral effects included anger (42 percent), violence (32 percent), suspiciousness/paranoia (84 percent), feeling stronger (32 percent), and commission of violent crimes (46 percent). The types of violent crimes were physical fights (23 percent), attempted murder (1 percent), armed robbery (22 percent), violent arguments (25 percent), verbal arguments (33 percent), child abuse (1 percent), wife abuse (7 percent), murder (less than 1 percent), rape (1 percent), and robbery (14 percent). Thirteen percent committed their violent acts immediately after cocaine use, 17 percent a few hours later, and 19 percent during acute withdrawal. No significant differences existed according to the route of administration. Findings support earlier results and indicate that violence may in part be a defensive reaction to fear. 15 references