ABSTRACT
In order to provide health and social care professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the use of the amphetamines and cocaine by older adults, this chapter presents and discusses these two major psychostimulants separately, in their own individual sections, beginning with the amphetamines and concluding with cocaine. The various amphetamines are presented and discussed with attention to their patterns of use by older adults in the U.S. during the new millennium. Particular attention is given to their history, pharmacology, physical and psychological dependence, overdosage, unintentional poisoning, and older adult involvement in amphetamine trafficking and dealing. For cocaine, the chapter includes particular attention to cocaine botany, production, and distribution—as well as to older adult involvement in cocaine trafficking and dealing. Each of the major sub-sections (i.e., “Amphetamines” and “Cocaine”) of this chapter concludes with a thorough and comprehensive discussion of demonstrated effective approaches, including pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic (counseling) approaches, for assessing, diagnosing, and treating amphetamine or cocaine dependence or use disorder, specifically among older adults.
