The Diagnosis of Alcohol and Cannabis Dependence in Cocaine Dependence

In two separate studies using DSM-III-R criteria for substance dependence in two hundred sixty-three (263) inpatients we confirm the clinical experience that cocaine addicts use other drugs including alcohol. As many as 89% of cocaine addicts diagnosed by DSM-III-R criteria for cocaine dependence qualify for other substance dependence diagnoses. Previous reports regarding alcohol and other drug use among cocaine addicts are few and inconclusive. The diagnoses of other substance use and dependence in cocaine dependence has important impact on etiology, prognosis and treatment. Our study finds a high prevalence of alcohol dependence and cannabis dependence in patients with cocaine dependence.