[Substance use and risk behaviors of out-of-treatment cocaine base paste and cocaine hydrochloride users].
BACKGROUND
In Chile, cocaine base paste (CBP) is the illegal substance that produces the highest rate of addiction. Nonetheless, a marginal number of users receive treatment each year.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the consumption patterns and risk behavior of CBP and cocaine hydrochloride (CH) users who do not attend rehabilitation services.


METHODS
In a prospective research design, through a study methodology called Privileged Access Interview of hidden populations, 28 surveyors recruited 231 CBP users (group 1) and 236 CH users (group 2). The Risk Behavior Questionnaire was applied in four communities of Metropolitan Santiago, that have the highest prevalence of PBC and CH use.


RESULTS
CBP users showed higher schools drop-out and unemployment rates. Subjects of both groups were predominantly polysubstance and polyaddicted users. The severity of addiction to CBP of group 1 was significantly higher than the severity of addiction to CH of group 2 (5.5 versus 5.1: p<0.001). CBP users showed significantly higher rates of sexual risk behaviors, antisocial behavior, self infliction of injuries, suicide attempt and child neglect.


CONCLUSIONS
A higher vulnerability was shown for users of CBP than those of CH. Attention is drawn to the need for developing community interventions in order to alter substance abuse and the risk behavior of these vulnerable groups.
Santis B
Rodrigo
R
Departamento de Psiquiatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. rsantis@med.puc.cl
Hidalgo C
Carmen Gloria
CG
Hayden C
Viviana
V
Anselmo M
Enzo
E
Rodríguez T
Jorge
J
Cartajena de la M
Fernando
F
Dreyse D
Jorge
J
Torres B
Rafael
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003042:Cocaine; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D003042:Cocaine