Neuroscience of Alcohol and Crack Cocaine Use: Metabolism, Effects and Symptomatology

Abstract Crack cocaine and tobacco are usually used combined. Many crack cocaine users utilize tobacco ashes to facilitate the drug burning process. Crack cocaine pyrolysis products potentiate cocaine stimulant effects, and tobacco use acts as trigger to crack cocaine use. There are many discussions on how nicotine acts as gateway to other drugs use, but multiple drugs use seems to facilitate the use of other drugs. This multiple use operates in many different mechanisms at central nervous system, as tobacco and crack cocaine simultaneous use. Nicotine and cocaine act, mainly, in mechanisms mediated by dopamine and acetylcholine in reward pathway in a synergic way. Besides, nicotine has an important role in cocaine craving decrease. A better understanding of these interactions can facilitate the development of new treatment strategies for users who combine these two drugs.