The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #53553

Russel Falck, MA, Jichuan Wang, PhD, Harvey Siegal, PhD, and Robert G. Carlson, PhD. Community Health, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435, 937-775-2066, russel.falck@wright.edu

Understanding the nature and extent of the mental health problems crack-cocaine users exhibit is important in formulating effective outreach and treatment strategies. The purpose of this study was to determine the lifetime prevalence of selected psychiatric disorders and their correlates in a community sample of crack users (n = 313). The Diagnostic Interview Schedule, administered by interviewers in a field site office, was used to assess DSM-IV disorders among users who were subjects in a larger natural history study of crack cocaine and health service use. Lifetime prevalence was 61.3% for cocaine dependence, 37.4% for alcohol dependence, 12.3% marijuana dependence, 8.6% for amphetamine dependence, 8.5% for sedative and opioid dependencies, 22.8% for anti-social personality disorder (ASPD); 14.2% for depression; 11.7 % for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); 9.8% for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 5.1% for social phobia, 3.8% for panic disorder, 3.1% for dementia, and 2.5% for schizophrenia. Chi-square analyses showed statistically significant differences in prevalence on the basis of ethnicity and gender. Proportionally more whites than African-Americans had ASPD, PTSD, ADHD as well as cocaine and alcohol dependencies. Proportionally more women than men experienced PTSD, while proportionally more men than women had ASPD, ADHD, and were alcohol dependent. Logistic regression was used to identify the sociodemographic and drug use predictors of the disorders. Whether the initiation of crack and other drug use precedes or follows the development of non-drug dependent disorders is also discussed as are the implications these findings have for providing services to crack users.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• list the most common psychiatric disorders experienced by a community sample of crack users;
• identify the correlates of these disorders; and
• discuss the implications these findings may have on outreach and treatment efforts targeting crack users.

Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment, Mental Illness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.