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Letter from the Director
 What is Cocaine?
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that
directly affects the brain. Read More...
Cocaine abuse and addiction continue
to plague our Nation. Today, about one
in six Americans (15 percent in 2007)
has tried cocaine by the age of 30, and 7
percent have tried it by their senior year
of high school. But recent discoveries
about the inner workings of the brain
and the damaging effects of cocaine
offer us unprecedented opportunities
for addressing this persistent public
health problem.
Genetic studies are providing critical
information about the hereditary
influences on the risk of addiction to
psychoactive substances, including
cocaine. Moreover, sophisticated imaging
technologies have allowed scientists
to visualize the brain changes that
result from chronic drug exposure or
that happen when an addicted person
is exposed to drug-associated "cues"
that can trigger craving and lead to
relapse. By mapping the genetic factors
and brain regions responsible for the
multiple effects of cocaine, these new
technologies can help us identify new
targets for treating cocaine addiction.
NIDA remains vigilant in our quest for
more effective strategies to address
the serious public health issues
linked to cocaine abuse. We not only
support a wide range of basic and
clinical research, but also facilitate the
translation of these research findings
into real-world settings. To this end, we
strive to keep the public informed of the
latest scientific advances in the field of
addiction. We hope that this compilation
of scientific information on cocaine
abuse will inform readers and bolster
our efforts to tackle the personal and
social devastation caused by drug
abuse and addiction.
Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
Director
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Printed 2009
This report is also for download,
Cocaine Abuse and Addiction, [PDF format, 356 KB]
All materials appearing in the Research Report Series are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated.
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To learn more about drug use disorders and other mental illnesses, or to order materials on these topics free of charge in English or Spanish, visit the NIDA Web site at www.drugabuse.gov or contact the
DrugPubs Research Dissemination Center at
877-NIDA-NIH (877-643-2644;
TTY/TDD: 240-645-0228).
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