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Pragst F, Niebel A, Thurmann D, Dullin M, Eichberg S, Mörlein F, Hartwig S. Is there a relationship between abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs seen in hair results? Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38686500 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Combined use of alcohol and illicit drugs is a serious health and social problem. In this study, it was examined, whether a relationship between alcohol and drug abuse can be ascertained by comparison of alcohol marker and drug concentrations in hair. In the frame of a social support system for families with parental abuse of illicit drugs, hair samples were analyzed between 2011 and 2022 for methadone, heroin (6-acetylmorphine), cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy (MDMA), cannabinoids (THC), and the alcohol markers ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl palmitate (EtPa). For 1314 hair samples from adolescent and adult family members, the hair results show a prevalence of combined occasional or regular drug use and social or abusive alcohol use of 41%-60% except heroin (35%). The drug concentrations were statistically compared in the three categories of abstinence or moderate drinking, social drinking, and alcohol abuse. For the most frequently detected drug cocaine (n = 703), a significant increase of the concentrations with rising alcohol consumption was found. The frequent detection of cocaethylene proved the preferred simultaneous intake of both substances. For THC (n = 489), no significant difference between the alcohol consumer groups was seen. Concerning the less frequently detected methadone (n = 89), 6-acetylmorphine (n = 92), amphetamine (n = 123), and MDMA (n = 105), no clear trend between drug and alcohol marker results was determined. It is concluded that the evaluation of hair results is an appropriate way to study the extent of combined drug-alcohol consumption and complements other studies based on acquisition of consumption data by interview or questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fritz Pragst
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - André Niebel
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denise Thurmann
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Monique Dullin
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susann Eichberg
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frederike Mörlein
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Hartwig
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medicine Charité, Berlin, Germany
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Siconolfi D, Tucker JS, Pedersen ER, Perez LG, Dunbar MS, Davis JP, Rodriguez A, Seelam R, D'Amico EJ. Sober Curiosity and Participation in Temporary Alcohol Abstinence Challenges in a Cohort of U.S. Emerging Adults. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2024; 85:201-209. [PMID: 37917023 PMCID: PMC10941816 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.23-00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thus far, behavioral health research in the United States has not explored the prevalence or correlates of sober curiosity (SC; exploratory or experimental abstinence or moderation) or temporary alcohol abstinence challenges (TAACs; e.g., "Dry January"), despite significant attention in media and popular discourse. We explored these activities in a sample of U.S. emerging adults (e.g., ages 18-29), a population with higher-risk drinking behavior yet some of the lowest rates of treatment engagement for alcohol use problems. METHOD Survey data were collected in 2021-2022 among participants (n = 1,659; M age = 24.7 years). We assessed SC awareness/engagement and past-year TAAC participation, and differences across demographics and behavioral characteristics. RESULTS Overall, 9% of emerging adults were familiar with SC and 7% had participated in a TAAC in the past year. Half of TAAC participants reported drinking less after the TAAC, and 15% remained abstinent after the TAAC ended. SC familiarity and TAAC were both associated with past-month heavy drinking, cannabis use, higher Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores, more past-year alcohol and cannabis consequences, past-year substance use treatment, and greater readiness to quit alcohol. CONCLUSIONS Both SC and TAACs may have potential to engage young people with a desire to moderate or eliminate their alcohol consumption. This may occur directly through use of these strategies or by helping them connect to additional services. Future research can help the field understand the uptake of SC and TAACs, gauge efficacy, and identify avenues to link young people to resources and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eric R. Pedersen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Guo Y, Dai CL, Ward RM, Mason WA. The Interaction of Cannabis Consumption with Heavy Episodic Drinking and Alcohol-induced Blackouts in Relation to Cannabis Use Consequences Among Recent Undergraduate College Cannabis Users. CANNABIS (ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) 2024; 6:23-32. [PMID: 38883276 PMCID: PMC11178058 DOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2023/000193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Risky alcohol use patterns, characterized by heavy episodic drinking (HED) and alcohol-induced blackout, are prevalent in college students. However, it is not clear if experiencing HED and blackout among college-attending cannabis users heightens risk for adverse cannabis use consequences. The purpose of this study was to examine whether heavy episodic drinking and blackout episodes moderate the relationship between cannabis consumption and cannabis use consequences among college students. Methods Undergraduate college students (n = 4331) were recruited from a Midwest University in 2021. This analysis used a subset of data from past 6-month cannabis users (n= 772; 17.8% of the full sample). Among cannabis users, 64.5% identified as female and 87.8% were White with an average age of 19.99 (SD=2.88). A linear regression was conducted with two two-way interactions of cannabis consumption and HED frequency as well as cannabis consumption and alcohol-induced blackout episodes. Results Results showed a statistically significant positive association between cannabis consumption and cannabis use consequences (B=0.73, p<.001), adjusting for the other variables in the model. Blackout, but not HED, was a significant moderator (B=0.19, p=.003). Discussion The findings of this study indicate that blackout experiences amplify the relationship between cannabis use and cannabis-related consequences among college students. This underscores that blackouts not only signal a risk of problematic drinking but also exacerbate the association between cannabis use and its negative consequences. Conclusion Findings may inform college campus interventions targeting cannabis and alcohol concurrent-users who experience alcohol-induced blackouts to reduce their additional risk for cannabis-related consequences.
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Tomko RL, Gex KS, Davis CN, Schick MR, Kirkland AE, Squeglia LM, Flanagan JC, Gray KM, McRae-Clark AL. Sex and Gender Differences in Simultaneous Alcohol and Cannabis Use: a Narrative Review. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2023; 10:628-637. [PMID: 38264339 PMCID: PMC10803059 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-023-00513-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The aim is to review recent literature on sex and gender differences in patterns of use, motives, pharmacological effects, and consequences of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use (SAC). Recent Findings Men engage in SAC more frequently than women. Women may have more substance-specific motives for use, while men tend to consistently endorse social/enhancement motives for both alcohol and cannabis. Regarding pharmacological effects, women experience the same subjective effects as men do at lower levels of use, with some evidence that women modulate cannabis use during simultaneous use episodes to avoid greater subjective intoxication. Finally, women appear more vulnerable to experiencing a range of positive and negative consequences from SAC relative to men. Summary Research has identified several important sex/gender differences in SAC and its correlates and consequences. However, research has primarily focused on white and cisgender populations, with a need for more research among racial/ethnic and gender minorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Tomko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, MSC 864, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425-8610, USA
| | - Kathryn S. Gex
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, MSC 864, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425-8610, USA
| | - Christal N. Davis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, MSC 864, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425-8610, USA
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | | | - Anna E. Kirkland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, MSC 864, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425-8610, USA
| | - Lindsay M. Squeglia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, MSC 864, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425-8610, USA
| | - Julianne C. Flanagan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, MSC 864, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425-8610, USA
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kevin M. Gray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, MSC 864, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425-8610, USA
| | - Aimee L. McRae-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, MSC 864, 67 President Street, Charleston, SC 29425-8610, USA
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
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Waddell JT, McDonald AE, Shah R, Corbin WR. Daily Relations Among Alcohol and Cannabis Co-Use, Simultaneous Use, and Negative Consequences: A Day-Level Latent Profile Analysis. CANNABIS (ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) 2023; 6:9-17. [PMID: 38035163 PMCID: PMC10683749 DOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2023/000171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Objective Concurrent and simultaneous cannabis and alcohol co-use confers risk for daily negative alcohol consequences. However, studies often treat co-use as a dichotomy, precluding examination of higher- and lower-risk co-use days. Additionally, little is known about specific alcohol consequences associated with daily co-use. Therefore, the current study 1) differentiated days based upon alcohol consumption, co-use, and simultaneous use, and 2) tested whether certain day-level use patterns conferred risk for daily alcohol consequences. Methods College student co-users (N=489) completed an online Timeline Followback, reporting daily alcohol consumption, negative alcohol consequences, concurrent cannabis and alcohol co-use, and simultaneous co-use (SAM) on drinking days over the past month. Day-Level Latent Profile Analysis differentiated days based upon drinking quantity, co-use, and simultaneous use, and tested whether patterns of use conferred risk for overall and specific negative alcohol consequences. Results Four day-level profiles emerged, including moderate consumption of alcohol-only days (57.5%), moderate consumption SAM use days (29.1%), higher consumption alcohol-only days (7.4%), and higher consumption SAM use days (6%). Higher consumption SAM use days were associated with more negative alcohol consequences than all other days; however, higher consumption SAM use days differed from higher consumption alcohol-only days in acute dependence symptoms. Higher consumption alcohol-only days were associated with more negative alcohol consequences than moderate consumption SAM days, particularly those that were action-oriented (i.e., dependence symptoms, blackout drinking, impaired control, risky behavior, social/interpersonal consequences). Conclusions Findings suggest that there are in fact lower-risk co-use days, and that links with unique negative alcohol consequences depend on levels of alcohol consumption and co-use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rishika Shah
- Arizona State University, Department of Psychology
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Waddell JT, Merrill JE, Okey SA, Woods-Gonzalez R, Corbin WR. Subjective effects of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis versus alcohol-only use: A qualitative analysis. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2023; 37:906-917. [PMID: 36757980 PMCID: PMC10409872 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Theoretical models of addictive behavior suggest that subjective effects serve as a mechanism through which substance use disorders develop. However, little is known about the subjective effects of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use, particularly whether simultaneous use (a) heightens specific subjective effects or (b) is related to unique subjective effects relative to single-substance effects. The present study used formative, qualitative data analysis to examine patterns of responses within open-answer text response data on subjective effects of simultaneous use. METHOD College students who simultaneously use alcohol and cannabis (N = 443; 68.2% female) were asked to describe how alcohol effects differ on simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use versus alcohol-only use days. RESULTS Conventional content analysis revealed nine concepts related to simultaneous (vs. alcohol-only) use subjective effects including as follows: (a) increased/decreased impairment, (b) low arousal/relaxation, (c) balancing/replacement effects, (d) "cross-faded" effects, (e) little-to-no differences, (f) altered sensation and perception, (g) increased negative affective states, (h) increased appetite, and (i) increased/decreased negative consequences. Increased impairment (N = 191) and increased relaxation (N = 110) were the most often endorsed subjective effects, followed by decreased impairment (N = 55), balancing/replacement effects (N = 50) and cross-faded/enhancement effects (N = 44). CONCLUSIONS Subjective effects from simultaneous use largely map onto domains of single-substance alcohol and cannabis effects (e.g., relaxation, sociability, cognitive/behavioral impairment), but also include distinct domains related to simultaneous use (e.g., balancing/replacement effects, altered sensation and perception). Future quantitative research is needed to validate measures of subjective effects from simultaneous use and their relations with use behavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Fairlie AM, Calhoun BH, Graupensperger S, Patrick ME, Lee CM. Daily-level simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use and its associations with alcohol use, marijuana use, and negative consequences in a young adult community sample. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:1690-1701. [PMID: 38051139 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use has been associated with greater alcohol use and consequences at the daily level, but limited research has examined SAM use in relation to marijuana use and its consequences. This study tested daily associations between SAM use and four outcomes: alcohol use (number of drinks), marijuana use (hours high), negative alcohol consequences, and negative marijuana consequences. METHODS A community sample of young adults [ages 18-25, mean (SD) = 21.61 (2.17) years] with recent alcohol and SAM use was recruited (N = 409; 50.9% female; 48.2% non-Hispanic/Latinx White). Participants completed a baseline survey and six 2-week bursts of daily surveys (81.1% of morning surveys completed) and reported on substance use and negative substance-related consequences. Multilevel modeling was used to test the main aims and to explore each specific consequence. RESULTS Among days with any alcohol use, SAM use days were associated with consuming more drinks and experiencing more total negative alcohol-related consequences than non-SAM use days. Among days with any marijuana use, SAM use days were associated with more hours being high than non-SAM use days. Exploratory models showed that SAM use was related to five specific alcohol-related consequences and two specific marijuana-related consequences. CONCLUSIONS These findings build upon prior research by showing that SAM use days are linked to consuming more drinks, reporting more hours being high from marijuana, and experiencing more total alcohol-related consequences even after controlling for the number of drinks, the number of hours high, any tobacco/nicotine use, and any other substance use. SAM use was also associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing some specific consequences related to alcohol and marijuana. The findings underscore the need for additional research on SAM use and marijuana-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Fairlie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brian H Calhoun
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Scott Graupensperger
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Megan E Patrick
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Christine M Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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O’Hara SE, Paschall MJ, Grube JW. Recreational Marijuana Legalization, Local Retail Availability, and Alcohol and Marijuana Use and Co-Use Among California High School Students. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2023; 84:734-743. [PMID: 37219033 PMCID: PMC10600969 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.22-00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined whether recreational marijuana legalization (RML) and local retail availability were associated with marijuana and alcohol use and co-use among adolescents. METHOD We investigated associations between RML and past-30-day marijuana and alcohol use and co-use, and moderating effects of retail availability of marijuana and alcohol, using data from the 2010-2011 to 2018-2019 California Healthy Kids Surveys (CHKS) of 9th and 11th grade students in 38 California cities. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression analyses were conducted, controlling for secular trends and student and city demographics. Additional analyses examined associations of RML and retail availability with co-use among subgroups of drinkers and marijuana users. RESULTS For the full sample, RML was inversely associated with alcohol use but was not significantly associated with marijuana use or co-use with alcohol. However, significant interactions between RML and marijuana outlet density showed that there were increases in marijuana and alcohol co-use and alcohol following legalization in cities with higher densities of marijuana outlets. RML was positively associated with co-use among non-heavy and heavy drinkers, but inversely related to co-use among occasional and frequent marijuana users. A significant positive interaction between RML and marijuana outlet density indicated that RML was associated with increases in co-use for occasional marijuana users in cities with higher densities of marijuana outlets. CONCLUSIONS RML was associated with increases in marijuana and alcohol co-use and alcohol use among California high school students, particularly those in cities with higher densities of retail cannabis stores, although this varied across alcohol and marijuana use subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon E. O’Hara
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, California
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Mallie J. Paschall
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, California
| | - Joel W. Grube
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, California
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
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Dodge T, Hoffman RK, Kracke-Bock J, Jaccard JJ, Stock ML. How Does Being under the Influence Affect Willingness to Experience Overlapping Effects of Alcohol and Marijuana? Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:1483-1492. [PMID: 37350140 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2223284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study tested how individuals anticipate they will respond to opportunities to engage in simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use. METHODS Two studies utilizing a within-subjects design were conducted. Study 1 was conducted in Spring 2021 and a replication (Study 2) was conducted in Fall 2021. Participants were presented with pairs of scenarios. One scenario pair compared how willing participants expected to be to get drunk if they were sober vs. high. Another pair compared how willing participants would be to take a hit of marijuana if they were sober vs. drunk. College attending young adults (Study 1: N = 173; female = 81%; Study 2: N = 212; female = 49.1%) with varying degrees of substance use experience were recruited. RESULTS In Study 1 participants reported greater willingness to get drunk when sober than when high. This was qualified by a statistically significant interaction whereby differences were greater among those who had more experience with past 30-day heavy drinking. Similar findings emerged for willingness to use marijuana. Participants anticipated greater willingness to use marijuana when sober than when drunk. This was also qualified by a statistically significant interaction whereby differences were greater among experimental or established users of marijuana than among abstainers. Study 2 findings replicated those from Study 1. CONCLUSIONS College attending young adults state greater willingness to remain under the influence of one substance than to engage in SAM use when opportunities arise. Simultaneous use of alcohol and marijuana among college students is likely an exception, not the rule. Implications for prevention are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonya Dodge
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Rebecca K Hoffman
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Jonah Kracke-Bock
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | | | - Michelle L Stock
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
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Gonçalves PD, Levy NS, Segura LE, Bruzelius E, Boustead AE, Hasin DS, Mauro PM, Martins SS. Cannabis Recreational Legalization and Prevalence of Simultaneous Cannabis and Alcohol Use in the United States. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:1493-1500. [PMID: 36451010 PMCID: PMC10160263 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07948-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use, using both substances within a short time interval so that their effects overlap, has a greater risk of potential negative consequences than single-substance use and is more common in younger age. Relationships between recreational cannabis laws (RCLs) and changes in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use prevalence remain untested. OBJECTIVE To examine trends in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use from 2008 to 2019, and investigate associations between implementation of RCLs (i.e., presence of active legal dispensaries or legal home cultivation) and simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use in the United States (U.S.). DESIGN Repeated cross-sectional samples from the 2008-2019 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). PARTICIPANTS Respondents (51% female) aged 12 and older. INTERVENTIONS Changes in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use before and after RCL implementation (controlling for medical cannabis law implementation) were compared in different age groups (12-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51+), using adjusted multi-level logistic regression with state random intercepts and an RCL/age group interaction. MEASUREMENTS Self-reported simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use. RESULTS From 2008 to 2019, the overall prevalence of simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use declined among those aged 12-20 but increased in adults aged 21+. Model-based simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use prevalence increased after RCL implementation among respondents aged 21-30 years (+1.2%; aOR= 1.15 [95%CI = 1.04-1.27]), 31-40 years (+1.0; 1.15 [1.04-1.27]), and 41-50 years (+1.75; 1.63 [1.34-1.98]), but not in individuals aged <21 or 51+ years. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of recreational cannabis policies resulted in increased simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol, supporting the complementarity hypothesis, but only among adults aged 21+. Efforts to minimize harms related to simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use are critical, especially in states with RCLs. Future studies should investigate cultural norms, perceived harm, and motives related to simultaneous use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Dib Gonçalves
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St Room 509, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Natalie S Levy
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St Room 509, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Luis E Segura
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St Room 509, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Emilie Bruzelius
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St Room 509, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Anne E Boustead
- School of Government & Public Policy, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
| | - Deborah S Hasin
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pia M Mauro
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St Room 509, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Silvia S Martins
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St Room 509, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Babicki M. Use of Alcohol, Cannabinoids, Psychostimulants, and Sedatives before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Students in 40 European Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14879. [PMID: 36429598 PMCID: PMC9690623 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In March 2020, the WHO announced the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been ongoing for over 2 years. To stop the spread of the virus, the governments of many countries decided to introduce reasonable social restrictions that were suitable for pandemic waves. This led to radical changes in people's lives, especially among students, who are very active in society. Before COVID-19, being of student age was associated with the highest frequency of stimulants use. It is important to note that drugs are taken disparately in various areas. Therefore, using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview type of study, the impact of the pandemic on the use of alcohol, cannabinoids, psychostimulants (e.g., amphetamine, methamphetamine, ecstasy) and sedatives (e.g., zolpidem, zopiclone, alprazolam, lorazepam, etc.) was assessed among students from European countries. The questionnaire included single- and multiple-answer questions. The first part concerned sociodemographic questions, while the second included questions about the use of stimulants in the last 3 months prior to participation in the study. Distribution of the survey covered the period from 31 January 2016 to 30 April 2021. A total of 17,594 European students participated in the study. The vast majority of participants were women (80.4%) and students of non-medical universities (77.2%) living in Eastern European countries (86.1%). Of all students, 15,613 (89.6%) reported alcohol drinking, 2538 (14.1%) the use of cannabinoids, 650 (3.6%) psychostimulants, and 2252 (12.5%) sedatives in the past three months. It has been shown that women are far less likely to use alcohol (OR 0.81), psychostimulants (OR 0.44) and cannabinoids (OR 0.49), while they are more likely to use sedatives (OR 1.41). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the consumption of alcohol (OR 0.55) and psychostimulants (OR 0.72) decreased and that of sleep medications increased (OR 1.17). To conclude, the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the pattern of stimulants used by students in European countries. The restriction of social interactions contributed to the decrease in the consumption of alcohol and psychostimulants but increased the use of sedatives and the frequency of their use. Women were found to use sedatives more often, while men preferred to drink alcohol and use cannabinoids or psychostimulants. It has also been shown that students of Central and Eastern Europe more often use alcohol and sedatives, while in Southern European countries psychostimulants and cannabinoids are preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Babicki
- Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-141 Wroclaw, Poland
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Metrik J, Patel S. Alcohol and Cannabinoids - From the Editors. Alcohol Res 2022; 42:10. [PMID: 35821767 PMCID: PMC9232221 DOI: 10.35946/arcr.v42.1.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Metrik
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island,Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Sachin Patel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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