title: Determinants of seeking treatment for cocaine abuse: a case-control study.
abstract: The objective of this study, which targeted long-term socially integrated cocaine users (in powder form, no heroin), was to analyze potential determinants of request for treatment for primary cocaine abuse. Two hundred and twenty-three cases (users who sought treatment for primary cocaine abuse) and 223 controls (users who did not seek treatment) were interviewed in Italy. A semistructured interview was created. Conditional logistic regression models were used. Cases had begun consuming illicit substances later, started using cocaine quicker, had high-risk drinking habits, had more intense recent use of cocaine, and used alone and at work. Some of the motivations of use that characterize subjects who seek treatment (to experience a 'high', disinhibition, avoidance, and to feel more confident) seem specifically to obtain immediate gratification, without concern for future consequences. Variability in cocaine abusers seeking treatment has been a long-recognized feature of this population and the results show that the appropriate target population (cocaine users experiencing problems and using more frequently) is reached by treatment services.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiological Monitoring Center on Addiction, DSM-DP, AUSL di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. raimondo.pavarin@ausl.bologna.it
authors.forename: Raimondo Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pavarin
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Consonni
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berardi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult