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Crack cocaine trajectories among users in a midwestern American city
Author(s) -
Falck Russel S.,
Wang Jichuan,
Carlson Robert G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01915.x
Subject(s) - crack cocaine , abstinence , cocaine use , medicine , psychology , psychiatry , demography , sociology
Aims Although crack cocaine first appeared in cities in the United States in the mid‐1980s, little is known about its use over long periods of time. This study identified crack cocaine user groups on the basis of long‐term trajectories. Design Following a natural history approach, data were collected periodically from 1996 to 2005. Group‐based modeling assessed the probability of a crack smoker becoming abstinent during the observation period. Setting A targeted sampling plan guided the recruitment of a community sample of crack cocaine users in Dayton, Ohio. Participants Crack smokers ( n = 430) 18 years or older whose urine tested positive for cocaine metabolites at the baseline interview. Measurements Interviewer‐administered and audio computer self‐administered, structured questionnaires were used to collect data on a range of variables, including frequency of crack use. Abstinence was defined as not having used crack for at least 6 consecutive months during the study. Findings Three trajectory‐based groups were identified: (1) No Change, characterized by a very low probability of abstinence; (2) Some Change, characterized by a low to moderate probability of abstinence; and (3) Dramatic Change, characterized by a high probability of abstinence. African Americans and men were significantly less likely to become abstinent. For the majority of the people (63.6%), crack use was uninterrupted by extended periods of abstinence during the study. Conclusion Crack cocaine use that persists for a decade or longer may well be the norm for a large proportion of people who have experience with the drug.