Cocaine abuse and

In the epidemiological tracking of agitated delirium victims in Metropolitan Dade County, men with preterminal delirium comprised approximately 10% of the annual number of cocaine overdose deaths. The demographic trends show that the proportion of these cases remains consistent throughout the epidemic of cocaine abuse and tends to track the annual frequency of cocaine-related sudden deaths. This observation suggests that a certain percentage of cocaine addicts may be at risk for cocaine delirium with chronic abuse. 

Determining the underlying rationale for studying a neuroreceptor system, e.g. the dopamine hypothesis for cocaine abuse and schizophrenia ... 

Abuse. We have all heard the terms substance abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, cocaine abuse, and so on. In one sense, any illicit use of a substance is abuse. For example, from the legal point of view, whenever someone smokes crack (even if it is the only time), (s)he has broken the law and abused cocaine. Likewise, if you borrow a prescription sedative or pain reliever from a friend, then you have similarly abused that medication. That is an appropriate use of the term in many cases, but this is not customarily the way that mental health specialists use the term. From our perspective, substance abuse involves a pattern of repeated use over time that results in problems in one or more areas. These include compromised physical health and well-being, legal proceedings, job status, and relationships as well as overall day-to-day functioning. 

Goodman, C., et. al. (1997). Market Barriers to the Development of Pharmacotherapies for the Treatment of Cocaine Abuse and Addiction Final Report The Lewin Group, http //aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/ cocaine/final.htm (for full report)... 

Williamson A, Darke S, Ross J Teesson M (2006). The association between cocaine use and short-term outcomes for the treatment of heroin dependence findings from the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS). Drug and Alcohol Review, 25, 141-8 Withers NW, Pulvirenti L, Koob GF Gillin JC (1995). Cocaine abuse and dependence. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 15, 63-78... 

Central retinal artery occlusion has previously been reported in cases of intravenous and intranasal cocaine abuse and has also been reported in a man who smoked crack cocaine (166). 

The effects of cocaine on cognitive functions have been measured in controlled studies. The preliminary results of a study of 20 heavy cocaine abusers and a group of matched controls showed impaired function on neuropsychological tests in 50% of the abusers compared with 15% of the controls (169). There were problems with concentration, memory, problem-solving, and abstract thinking in the cocaine users. The heavy users had the greatest loss of memory. Recent cocaine use was associated with poorer oral fluency and arithmetic scores. 

Gupta A, Hawrych A, Wilson WR. Cocaine-induced sinona-sal destruction. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001 124(4) 480. Noskin GA, Kalish SB. Pott s puffy tumor a complication of intranasal cocaine abuse. Rev Infect Dis 1991 13(4) 606-8. Smith JC, Kacker A, Anand VK. Midline nasal and hard palate destruction in cocaine abusers and cocaine s role in rhinologic practice. Ear Nose Throat J 2002 81(3) 172-7. Talbott JF, Gorti GK, Koch RJ. Midfacial osteomyelitis in a chronic cocaine abuser a case report. Ear Nose Throat J 2001 80(10) 738-43. 

Dhuna A, Pascual-Leone A, Langendorf F. Chronic, habitual cocaine abuse and kindling-induced epilepsy a case 161. report. Epilepsia 1991 32(6) 890-4. 

Trozak DJ, Gould WM. Cocaine abuse and connective tissue disease. J Am Acad Dermatol 1984 10(3) 525. 

Mendelson J H, Mello N K Management of cocaine abuse and dependence. New England Journal of Medicine 334 965-972... 

Eskander KE, Brass NS, Gelfand ET. Cocaine abuse and coronary artery dissection. Ann Thorac Surg 2001 71(1) 340-1. 

Smith JC, Kacker A, Anand VK. Midline nasal and hard palate destruction in cocaine abusers and cocaine s role in rhinologic practice. Ear Nose Throat J 2002 81(3) 172-7. 

Clouet, D. Asghar, K. Brown, R. Mechanisms of Cocaine Abuse and Toxicity, NIDA Research Monograph 88 1988 DHHS no. (ADM)88-1588 Grabowski, J. Cocaine Pharmacology, Effects, and Treatment of Abuse, NIDA Monograph 50 1984 DHHS Publication no. (ADM)87-1326 Grinspoon, L. Bakalar, J.B. Marihuana the Forbidden Medicine, 1993 Yale University Press ISBN 0-300-05994-9... 

Interestingly, the opioid receptor antagonists have surprisingly demonstrated appreciable clinical potential both in the treatment of cocaine abuse, and as an immuno suppressive agent. 

NIDA (2004). Cocaine abuse and addiction. Research Report Series. U.S. National Institute of Drug Abuse, Rockville, MD. 

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