Alcohol-related problems among younger drinkers who misuse prescription drugs: results from the national epidemiologic survey of alcohol and related conditions (NESARC).
The authors determined whether lifetime prescription drug misuse (PDM) associated with increased risks for alcohol-related problems among 18- to 34-year-old, NESARC respondents. Among 8222 "ever-drinkers," 15.4% reported ever "misusing sedatives, tranquilizers, painkillers or stimulants ... as prescriptions or from indirect sources." Outcomes were within two alcohol-related problem domains, "risk-taking behaviors," including driving while drinking, fights, injuries, and arrests, and "interpersonal troubles," including problems with jobs, family, or friends. Among all drinkers and among alcohol-dependent and cannabis-using subsamples, those reporting PDM were significantly more likely to report alcohol-related "risk-taking behaviors" or "interpersonal troubles" than were those without PDM. In adjusted analysis, young age drinking onsets, and heavy and dependent drinking independently increased these risks. Results of this cross-sectional analysis support the need for longitudinal data to more clearly define the association between drinking problems and PDM, and which can support prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction efforts for younger, multisubstance users.
Youth Alcohol Prevention Center and Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. jhermos@bu.edu
J
J
Hermos
M
M
Winter
T
T
Heeren
R
R
Hingson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D055553:Prescription Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs