The use of alcohol by cocaine addicts is a common cause for relapse to cocaine. The treatment of cocaine addiction is simplified if alcohol dependence is also present because the same methods can be used for both. A study was conducted characterizing an inpatient population according to diagnoses of alcohol and cocaine dependence, together and separately. Ninety-four percent of those patients who qualified for the diagnosis of cocaine dependence were also diagnosed as having alcohol and other drug dependence. The demographic characteristics of these cocaine addicts compared to those patients with the diagnosis of alcohol dependence only and alcohol dependence and drug dependence other than cocaine. 2 tables, 21 references. (Author abstract modified)