The Validity of Self‐Reported Drug Use in Non‐Treatment Seeking Individuals with Cocaine Dependence: Correlation with Biochemical Assays

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Abstract
Accurate estimate of drug exposure plays an important role in studies of the neurobiology of drug dependence. The validity of self‐reported drug use by subjects participating in such studies has not been well established. This study examined the relationship between self‐reported drug use and biological markers in 18 non‐treatment‐seeking cocaine‐dependent individuals participating in research on the effects of cocaine on the brain. A significant relationship was found between self‐reported frequency of cocaine use and hair cocaine concentration. Frequency of alcohol use correlated significantly with plasma carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin and aspartate aminotransferase levels. These results suggest that self‐reported substance use in non‐treatment seeking research subjects is generally valid.