Violent behaviors associated with cocaine use: possible pharmacological mechanisms.
Violent behaviors are increasingly noted in clinical practice to be associated with cocaine use; however, few studies actually characterize these behaviors. Cocaine addicts who made self-inquiries for themselves to obtain information about the effects, diagnosis, and treatment of cocaine dependence were interviewed. The study examined in a structured telephone interview their violent behaviors associated with cocaine use. The types of violent behavior reported by these cocaine addicts ranged from minor psychological aggressions to major physical acts that included murder and rape. The pharmacological mechanisms underlying the induction of cocaine-associated violence may involve known neurotransmitter systems affected by cocaine. A possible explanation may be that cocaine acts in those areas of the brain, particularly the limbic system, that subserve aggressive and violent behaviors.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, Chicago 60612.
N S
NS
Miller
M S
MS
Gold
J C
JC
Mahler
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D016578:Crack Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence
D016578:Crack Cocaine; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D003042:Cocaine