For every news story in the popular press detailing the horrors and the violence associated with cocaine, there have been corresponding studies in the medical litera­ ture shedding new light on our understanding of this most troublesome drug. Our knowledge of addiction, and specifically cocaine addiction, has increased dra­ matically within the last few years. We stand on the threshold of an exciting new era in addictionology that promises better treatments, improved diagnostic proce­ dures, and more effective preventative strategies. We must prepare today for the avalanche of exciting dis­ coveries that will arrive in the coming years. Along with the first two volumes in this series, Marijuana and Alcohol, this book strives to help the general medical community to stay abreast of the latest medical information on addiction, while presenting a fundamental resource on the neurobiology, physiology, epidemiology, history, diagnosis, treatment, and p- v vi PREFACE vention of cocaine abuse. In addition, the comorbidity of cocaine abuse and eating disorders, depression, anx­ iety, hypertension, and various other disorders is dis­ cussed in detail. Finally, the last chapter presents new strategies tailored to specific patient groups and aimed at confronting the ever-changing face of drug abuse.