[Characterization of smoked cocaine substance users in treatment for drug abuse in Buenos Aires, Argentina].

In this paper, we present the results of a survey that was part of a regional project on smokable cocaine substance developed in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. We analyze the characteristics of users of smoked cocaine who attend treatment centers or institutions in Buenos Aires (Argentina) that provide support and care, but not a formal treatment for drug abuse. We analyze their sociodemographic characteristics, their social supports, their health, their drug use patterns (age of onset, substances, use frequency and procedures of administration) and their history of treatment. The methodological strategy was quantitative. Through a non-probability sampling, we developed a survey study with 148 cases. Among the main results, we found that this population faces vulnerability processes in multiple spheres: work, education, housing, health and social links.