Factors associated with crack-cocaine early initiation: a Brazilian multicenter study

Abstract Background Crack-cocaine dependence is a serious public health issue, related to several psychiatric and psychosocial problems. users are usually embedded in context of great social vulnerability, often associated with violence, poverty, family conflict easy early access alcohol, tobacco other drugs. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled consecutive sample 577 patients admitted 20 therapeutic communities located Southern Brazil, between September 2012 2013. A structured interview assessed life-time exposure risk protective factors for drug use, such as parental monitoring childhood, deviant behaviors peer pressure. Results Presence ( p = 0.002), maltreatment 0.016), behavior prior age 15 bivariate analysis predicted an earlier crack-cocaine initiation, whereas adolescents experiencing during adolescence started use later < 0.001). In the multivariate model, perceptions ease illicit drugs (marijuana: 0.028, 95% CI ? 3.81, 0.22; crack-cocaine: 0.001, 7.40, 4.90), (threatening someone gun: 2.57, 0.14) remained independent predictors initiation. Conclusions Early onset seems be conflict, behavior. Treatment preventive programs should take these into account when designing implementing community interventions.