Childhood neglect and increased withdrawal and depressive severity in crack cocaine users during early abstinence.

Studies have shown that environmental factors, such as exposure to childhood maltreatment, might shift the course of addiction. Little is known, however, about whether childhood physical neglect (PN) influences the severity of withdrawal and depressive symptoms during the detoxification period. This is a 3 weeks follow-up study.

Hair cortisol and stressful life events retrospective assessment in crack cocaine users.

Background: Some evidence suggests that altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning in cocaine users might play a role in the pathophysiology of substance abuse. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to negative life events and cortisol hair concentrations in crack cocaine users during the 3 months prior to admission to a detoxification program.

Methods: A total of 23 treatment-seeking, crack cocaine-dependent women were selected for this study 1 week after admission to an inpatient treatment at a locked treatment facility.