Sedative use disorders have been associated with increased cocaine dependence severity (Chutuape et al., 1997), consistent with the present study’s finding, but not with other indices of cocaine dependence severity. Sedative dependence was prevalent among alcohol dependent persons (Schuckit et al., 2002); thus any possible relationship between sedative dependence and other indices of cocaine dependence severity may have been obscured by the collinear effect of alcohol dependence. Sedative use was unrelated to treatment utilization but was positively associated with cocaine dependence self-help participation. Co-occurring sedative and cocaine use has been associated with poorer retention and drug use outcomes in patients in methadone maintenance (DeMaria et al., 2000). Thus, cocaine dependent persons who also are dependent on sedatives may seek self-help as an alternative to formal treatment.
