Simultaneous use of alcohol with methamphetamine but not ecstasy linked with aggression among young adult stimulant users.
Illicit stimulants are often combined with alcohol in nightlife entertainment districts, an environment where aggressive behaviour commonly occurs. While alcohol and methamphetamine use are each associated with aggressive behaviour, relatively little is known about the impact of the combined use of alcohol and amphetamine-type stimulants (i.e., ecstasy [MDMA] and methamphetamine) on aggression.



Analysis of longitudinal data from a population-based sample of Australian young adult amphetamine-type stimulant users (n=248) to examine: (a) prevalence and timing of simultaneous alcohol and amphetamine-type stimulant use and (b) predictors of ecstasy- and methamphetamine-related aggression and hostility. Prediction models of ecstasy- and methamphetamine-related aggression and hostility were developed using multivariate logistic regression.



Simultaneous alcohol consumption and amphetamine-type stimulant use was prevalent, with drinking generally occurring before consuming amphetamine-type stimulants and while 'high'. Methamphetamine-related aggression and hostility was significantly associated with recurrent risky simultaneous methamphetamine and alcohol use (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 2.74, 95% CI 1.09-6.89), a high frequency and increasing use methamphetamine trajectory (AOR 7.23, 95% CI 1.27-41.03), and high trait aggression (AOR 5.78, 95% CI 2.53-13.20). In contrast, only trait aggression (moderate: AOR 3.01, 95% CI 1.55-5.84; high: AOR 5.02, 95% CI 2.38-10.61) was associated with ecstasy-related aggression and hostility.



These findings indicate a link between risky patterns of simultaneous alcohol and methamphetamine use and methamphetamine-related aggression and hostility, independent of separate use of alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis, trait aggression, psychosis, and gender. The policy challenges of amphetamine-type stimulant and alcohol use require a targeted, multidisciplinary approach.
School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia. Electronic address: e.leslie1@uq.edu.au.
Ellen M
EM
Leslie
Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia.
Andrew
A
Smirnov
School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
Adrian
A
Cherney
Griffith Youth Forensic Service, School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia; Crime and Misconduct Commission, North Tower Green Square, St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006, Australia.
Helene
H
Wells
Crime and Misconduct Commission, North Tower Green Square, St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006, Australia.
Margot
M
Legosz
Queensland Health, Butterfield St, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia.
Robert
R
Kemp
School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia.
Jake M
JM
Najman
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006213:Hallucinogens; D000431:Ethanol; D008694:Methamphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
Aggression; Alcohol; Amphetamine-type stimulants; Ecstasy; Methamphetamine; Young adult