Drug use functions predict cocaine-related problems in young people

Over the last decade, concern about young people and stimulant drugs has pr imarily focused on the use of amphetamines and ecstasy. In the United Kingd om, this concern has recently expanded to include the use of cocaine hydroc hloride (powder cocaine). This study examined patterns of illicit substance use. with a particular focus on cocaine consumption, among a sample of 364 young drug users aged between 16 and 22 years, The sample was recruited us ing snowballing methods and respondents were interviewed in informal settin gs by peer interviewers. Over half the sample reported lifetime use of powd er cocaine and just over 40% of these had used crack cocaine, A seven-item scale was used to measure cocaine-related problems. The three most common p roblems endorsed by the cocaine users cr ere impaired control, 'prioritizin g spending money on cocaine over other things' and being pre-occupied with using. In a multiple regression analysis, 50% of the variance in cocaine-re lated problem scores,vas predicted by the perceived functions for cocaine u se, the number of times of lifetime cocaine use and the total number of day s of recent stimulant use. Use of cocaine to alleviate depressed state or n egative mood was the most powerful predictor of cocaine problems. The inclu sion of a functional appraisal component could be usefully incorporated in further research studies and in service assessment protocols for young peop le.