Cocaine Route of Administration Trends: 1995-2005. The DASIS Report

摘要

Cocaine, one of the oldest known drugs, is a powerfully addictive stimulant, which has been inhaled, smoked, injected, and ingested orally. The predominant route of administration (method of use) has changed over time. For much of the 20th century, inhaling (or snorting) cocaine in its powder form was the most common route of administration. However, in the early 1980s, a potent, smokeable form of cocaine known as crack was developed. Since smoking crack cocaine was less expensive and also provided a more immediate and intense effect than inhaling powder cocaine, crack rapidly became the most commonly used form of the drug in the United States. Trends in admissions to substance abuse treatment for cocaine abuse--including admissions by route of administration--can be monitored with the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS).