Behavioral pharmacology of cocaine.

Laboratory data suggest that animals self-administer cocaine in patterns similar to those seen in humans. Conditions of availability and species are relatively unimportant determinants of cocaine self-administration. Furthermore, studies have shown that animals will continue to self-administer the drug, even in the face of severe toxic side effects. The data indicate that cocaine is a potent reinforcer with significant abuse liability. The animal self-administration model and laboratory data concerning self-administration in humans show cross-species generality and provide useful information about cocaine's behavioral mechanisms of action.