Gender Differences in the Relapse Experiences of Cocaine Patients

This study investigated potential gender differences in the onset, course, and termination of cocaine relapse episodes. The subjects were 98 cocaine dependent men and women who were participating in several treatment outcome studies. The Cocaine Relapse Interview was used to obtain data on specific relapse episodes that had occurred in a 6-month period before the interview. The analyses indicted that women reported more unpleasant affect and interpersonal problems and fewer positive experiences before relapse than men, and their relapses were more likely to have an impulsive quality. Women reported more help-seeking after initial use, whereas men reported stronger appetitive reactions and more self-justification. There were no gender differences in factors associated with terminating the relapse episodes. Clinical implications and limitations of the research are discussed.