Cocaine Using Careers in Perspective

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Abstract
This article provides an integrative discussion of cocaine using careers based on a review of the articles included in this special issue of Addiction Research. It also attempts to place the findings from the article in context by examining the patterns of cocaine use among a representative sample of the U.S. population. Much of what we know about cocaine using careers has been obtained in studies of treatment or criminal justice populations. But studying cocaine users among “community-based” samples of users challenges common stereotypes about cocaine users. These studies conclude that although many cocaine users escalated use for some period of time, most also deescalated use. The frequency of cocaine use, the use of other drugs, and the mode of administration were found to be related to adverse consequences. Users employed a variety of rules to keep their cocaine use from becoming compulsive. Most importantly, many controlled users were socially fully integrated and placed great importance on their family, jobs and other roles and responsibilities, so cocaine use had to find its place among a number of competing activities.