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The Prevalence of Cocaine Use in Homeless Populations: A Systematic Review

  • Social Determinants of Health (R Holliday, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Recent findings

Cocaine use plays a large role in initiating and maintaining homelessness.

Purpose of review

The present review systematically studied the existing literature on prevalence of cocaine use, cocaine use problems, and cocaine use disorders in the lives of homeless populations.

Summary

A total of 57 articles with 55 unique studies were included in the review. Cocaine use was quite prevalent in these homeless samples, with around one-third of samples endorsing lifetime use and one-fourth endorsing past year use. Further, prevalence rates for cocaine use problems ranged from around one-fourth to more than one-third across different measurement periods. The median prevalence rate for lifetime cocaine use disorder across studies was 30%. Comparatively, cocaine and cannabis had similar popularity for use, but cocaine was the dominant drug in studies assessing problematic use and disorders. In general, cocaine appeared to be more prevalent in the USA than internationally. Although this literature had methodological inconsistencies limiting comparisons across studies, the findings suggest a major role of cocaine in the initiation and maintenance of homelessness. Further research is needed, especially studies providing prevalence data in multiple time frames, studies comparing prevalence across specific subgroups, and prospective studies.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, 921 So 8th Ave, Stop 8112, Pocatello, ID, 83209, USA

      Gabriela R. Perez B.A.

    2. The Altshuler Center for Education & Research (ACER), Metrocare Services, Dallas, TX, USA

      Ala Ustyol M.D., Katherine J. Mills B.S., Josh M. Raitt STM, MTS & Carol S. North M.D.

    3. Division of Trauma & Disaster, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

      Ala Ustyol M.D., Katherine J. Mills B.S., Josh M. Raitt STM, MTS & Carol S. North M.D.

    4. Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA

      Katherine J. Mills B.S.

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    1. Gabriela R. Perez B.A.
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    Contributions

    Conceptualization: Gabriela R. Perez, Carol S. North; literature search: Gabriela R. Perez, Ala Ustyol; data collection and organization: Gabriela R. Perez, Ala Ustyol, Katherine J. Mills, Josh M. Raitt; writing—original draft preparation: Gabriela R. Perez, Ala Ustyol, Carol S. North; writing–review and editing: Gabriela R. Perez, Ala Ustyol, Josh M. Raitt, Carol S. North; supervision: Carol S. North.

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    Correspondence to Gabriela R. Perez B.A..

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    Perez, G.R., Ustyol, A., Mills, K.J. et al. The Prevalence of Cocaine Use in Homeless Populations: A Systematic Review. Curr Treat Options Psych 9, 246–279 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40501-022-00271-5

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