Epidemiology

In 2022, an estimated 23.5 million people used cocaine in the past year, corresponding to 0.5% of the global population, and representing a 20% increase in the past 20 years.[5] Between 1990 and 2016 there was an increased prevalence of cocaine use disorder worldwide from around 4.2 million to 5.8 million people, although it is still far less prevalent than alcohol, cannabis, or opioid use disorders.[6]​ Cocaine use is most common in Oceania, North America, Western and Central Europe, and South and Central America.[5]​ However, many regions and countries do not report the true extent of cocaine use. The output of global cocaine manufacture has more than doubled between 2014 and 2022 to reach an estimated 2757 tons (expressed at 100% purity) in 2022, the highest level ever.[5][7]

In 2023, it was estimated that 5 million people in the US ages 12 years or older used cocaine in the past year.[8]​ A 2013 US survey found that 58% of individuals who used cocaine in the last year did so less than 12 times, while 22% used cocaine at least 50 times.[7]​ In the UK in 2019-2020, an estimated 177,000 people ages 15-64 years used crack cocaine.[9]​​

Cocaine is the second most commonly used illegal stimulant in Europe. In the European Union, surveys indicate nearly 2.5 million 15-34 year olds (2.5% of this age group) used cocaine in the past year.[10] Although decreases in cocaine use have been reported across Europe, in 2017 a number of indicators (wastewater monitoring, drug seizures, and price and purity data) suggested that the availability of cocaine may be increasing.

Three subgroups have shown a higher prevalence than the general population: youth, socially marginalized groups, or people with opioid use disorder in maintenance treatment who additionally use cocaine.[11] 

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer