RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTRAVENOUS USE AND ACHIEVING INITIAL COCAINE ABSTINENCE

This study assessed whether route of cocaine administration (intraveno us vs. intranasal) influences cocaine abstinence during the first 6 we eks of outpatient treatment. Fifty-nine persons received behavioral tr eatment or standard drug counselling in an outpatient clinic. Based on information collected at intake, intravenous users had fewer years of education, were employed in less skilled jobs, were less likely to be married, reported more negative consequences from cocaine use, report ed using more cocaine per occasion and spent more money on cocaine per week than intranasal users. Intravenous and intranasal users did not differ significantly in the average duration of continuous cocaine abs tinence (xBAR = 2.6 vs. xBAR = 3.3 weeks achieved during 6 weeks of tr eatment). The duration of abstinence between intravenous and intranasa l users was equal in the behavioral treatment (xBAR = 4.2). In standar d treatment the average duration was less among intravenous than intra nasal users (xBAR = 0.9 vs. xBAR = 2.4), but that difference did not a chieve statistical significance. Hepatitis and employment instability were associated with shorter periods of cocaine abstinence among intra venous users, whereas employment instability, lower job skill level, d rug use severity and reports of memory loss were associated with short er periods of cocaine abstinence among intranasal users. These results indicate that i.v. cocaine users can achieve a period of initial abst inence in an outpatient setting comparable to the duration of typical inpatient hospitalizations, although special types of outpatient treat ment may be necessary to obtain a positive outcome.