Drug use patterns and drug-related disorders of cocaine users in a sample of the general population in Germany

Aims: The prevalence of cocaine use is still very low in Germany, but rates have been increasing over the past few decades. Patterns of drug consumption and related adverse consequences in individuals who have used cocaine were investigated in order to distinguish different types of cocaine users. Methods: Data come from two national representative surveys on substance abuse in the German general population conducted in 1997 and 2000 using self- administered questionnaires. Overall response rates were 65 and 51%, respectively. The two samples were pooled (n = 16,159) and latent cluster analysis was conducted using a sub-sample of 272 lifetime cocaine users. Results: Three clusters were derived: the majority belonged to the group of mainly unproblematic users (UPG, 80%), the second group comprised non-amphetamine poly-problem drug users (NAPPG, 12%), and a small group was composed of poly-problem drug users (PPG, 8%). Comparisons of sociodemographic characteristics, consumption patterns and age of onset for licit and illicit drug use revealed significant differences between the groups. Conclusions: The majority of cocaine users in the general population are experimental or occasional users of licit and illicit drugs. Rather than being a major drug, cocaine is one of many other licit and illicit drugs. Cocaine use as part of predominantly poly-drug use behaviour is strongly associated with substance-related disorders.