Alcohol and cocaine interactions and aggressive behaviors.

This chapter presents (1) a review of several studies on the relationship between violent/aggressive behavior and the use of cocaine and/or the use of alcohol; and (2) findings from our study of cocaine-dependent men, illustrating deviant and violent behavior before and during cocaine addiction careers. As had been found in previous research, use of alcohol and cocaine seemed to increase the likelihood of the cocaine users in our sample engaging in deviant or violent behaviors. The extent of deviant or violent behavior, in our sample, during periods of cocaine use, periods of cocaine-alcohol use, periods of alcohol use only, and periods of abstinence for both alcohol and cocaine are discussed. Changes in the nature of the deviant or violent behaviors prior to and after the onset of cocaine addiction are also described.