A case of late-onset crack dependence and subsequent psychosis in the elderly.
While rapidly spreading "crack" addiction is a major concern in our community, current research in this area is focused mainly on adolescents and young adults. We discuss a case of crack addiction developing for the first time in an elderly person and subsequent complications. We believe no such cases have been previously reported. We hope this will be helpful to practicing clinicians and stimulate research to understand cocaine and crack abuse patterns in the elderly.
Nambudiri
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DE
Division of Geriatric Services, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York.
Young
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RC
D016578:Crack Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003702:Delusions / Q000139:chemically induced; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D016578:Crack Cocaine; D006220:Haloperidol