Psychiatric comorbidity in white and African-American cocaine addicts seeking substance abuse treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Few diagnostic studies have reported rates of psychiatric comorbidity among cocaine addicts according to race. This study examines psychiatric comorbidity in African-American and white cocaine addicts.


METHODS
Rates of psychiatric comorbidity were assessed in 263 cocaine addicts seeking substance abuse treatment. The sample included 163 non-Hispanic whites and 100 African Americans. Diagnoses were based on patient interviews using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version (SADS-L). The SADS-L was supplemented to include DSM-III-R criteria for substance abuse or dependence and other psychiatric diagnoses and DSM-III criteria for attention deficit disorder.


RESULTS
Overall, 55.7 percent of the cocaine addicts met Research Diagnostic Criteria for a current psychiatric diagnosis, and 73.5 percent met criteria for a lifetime psychiatric diagnosis. Whites and African Americans did not differ significantly in overall psychiatric comorbidity. However, whites had significantly higher rates of life-time major depression, alcohol dependence, attention deficit disorder, and conduct disorder. African-American addicts, particularly women, were more likely to meet criteria for a current diagnosis of phobia.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychiatric comorbidity is common among cocaine addicts, and the rates for specific disorders vary by race. Differences in current and lifetime rates should be noted. Cocaine addicts seeking treatment should be assessed for comorbid alcohol dependence and other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, affective, and personality disorders.
Ziedonis
D M
DM
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519.
Rayford
B S
BS
Bryant
K J
KJ
Rounsaville
B J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044383:Black People; D003042:Cocaine; D015897:Comorbidity; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010343:Patient Admission; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012651:Self Medication / Q000523:psychology; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D003042:Cocaine