[Depression in young regular cocaine users recruited in the community].

OBJECTIVE

To identify the profile of community-recruited regular cocaine users and the prevalence of recent depression and associated factors.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 630 regular cocaine users who were not heroin consumers. Depression, social support and dependence were evaluated with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, the Duke-Functional Social Support Questionnaire, and the Severity of Dependence Scale, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean age was 23 years and 33% of users were women. The predominant profile of cocaine use was recreational-intense. Most (88%) participants had completed secondary education. The use of emergency services in the previous year was 45.9% and 7.8% were under drug-dependence/psychiatric treatment. The prevalence of depression was 14.6%. In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with recent depression were female gender, homelessness, ketamine consumption, and less confidential support

CONCLUSIONS

Regular cocaine users may require specific attention in general health services. Greater access to treatment for depression is needed among this group.