Sociodemographic, neighborhood, psychosocial, and substance use correlates of cocaine use among Black adults: Findings from a pooled analysis of national data

• Published in: Addictive behaviors 2019-01, Vol.88, p.182-186
• Main Authors: Nicholson, Harvey L., Ford, Jason A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adults; African Americans; African Americans - psychology; African Americans - statistics & numerical data; Age Factors; Cocaine; Cocaine-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Cocaine-Related Disorders - psychology; Data processing; Drug abuse; Fatalities; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Narcotics; Opioid-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Opioids; Overdose; Public health; Religion; Residence Characteristics - statistics & numerical data; Risk Factors; Risk perception; Sociodemographics; Substance use; Unemployment - statistics & numerical data; United States - epidemiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.042

Cocaine use (CU) is serious a public health issue affecting U.S. adults, including Blacks. Cocaine-related overdose deaths have also trended upwards among this population. However, there remains a lack of research on correlates of CU among a nationally representative sample of Black adults. The current study examines the prevalence and correlates of past-year CU among Black adults aged 18 and older (N = 9,821). Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015–2016) were used and a weighted logistic regression model was estimated. Findings showed 2.4% of Black adults reported past-year CU—significantly higher than rates of CU among other assessed racial groups. Opioid use/misuse, encounters with drug dealers, easier access to cocaine, unemployment, and being 35 or older were associated with increased odds of CU. Greater risk perception of CU and religiosity were associated decreased odds of CU. Results identified several correlates associated with past-year CU among Black adults. Findings suggest addressing CU among this population will likely require the development of multilevel prevention and intervention strategies and an increased focus on opioid use/misuse as opioids have been recently implicated in cocaine-related overdose deaths. •Prevalence of past-year CU was 2.4%.•Neighborhood characteristics, unemployment, substance use, and being older than 35 were associated with increased odds of CU.•Opioid use/misuse was associated with higher odds of CU.•Greater risk perception of CU and religiosity were related to decreased odds of CU.