Epidemiology

An estimated 22 million people used cocaine worldwide in 2021. The prevalence of cocaine use is highest in North America, Western and Central Europe, and Australia and New Zealand; Asia is below the world average.[1]

In 2022, an estimated 1.8% of the US population ages ≥12 years used cocaine.[1] Cocaine use has decreased among adolescents ages 12 to 17 years, with 3.9% of high school students reporting cocaine use during their life in 2019.[2][3]

The risk of toxicity is greater for those who inject cocaine, compared with those who do not. An Australian study also showed that those who overdosed had used cocaine for longer, had used more cocaine in the preceding months, had higher levels of cocaine dependence, and used a wider range of different drugs.[4] 

Deaths involving cocaine have increased in the US since 2013 across age groups.[5][6]​ In 2021, there were 7.3 deaths per 100,000 standard population, compared to 1.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2011; 78.6% of these also involved opioids.[6]

Cocaine toxicity is more likely to be fatal when ambient temperature is higher.[7] Fatal cocaine toxicity has been found to be more likely in men than in women.[5][8][9]

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