Citation

Cherpitel CJ, Ye Y, Zemore SE, Bond JC, Borges GLG. Addict. Behav. 2015; 50: 28-33.

Affiliation

National Institute of Psychiatry, Autonomous Metropolitan University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.06.008

PMID

26103423

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Little epidemiological evidence exists on alcohol or other substance use and related problems along the U.S.-Mexico border, although the border has been the focus of recent media attention related to the escalating drug/violence "epidemic". The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of variables related to crossing the border (cross-border mobility) with three substance use outcomes reported for the last year: 1) heavy drinking (5+ drinks per day for men or 4+ for women), 2) alcohol use disorder (AUD), and 3) co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (any use of illicit and/or non-medically prescribed drugs).

METHODS: Household surveys were conducted, using area probability sampling of 1565 Mexican-American residents, aged 18-65, living at the Texas-Mexico border in the metropolitan areas of Laredo and McAllen/Brownsville.

RESULTS: Among those 18-29, more frequent crossing of the border was significantly predictive of AUD (OR=1.61, p<0.01) and co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (OR=1.70, p<0.01). Staying more than one full day was predictive of AUD (OR=3.07, p<0.001) and crossing to obtain over-the-counter or prescription drugs ("drug tourism") or for nightlife/drinking were predictive of heavy drinking (ORs=4.14, p<0.001; 3.92, p<0.01, respectively), AUD (ORs=7.56, p<0.001; 7.68, p<0.01, respectively) and co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (ORs=8.53, p<0.01; 4.96, p<0.01, respectively). Among those 30-65, staying more than a full day and crossing for pharmaceutical reasons were predictive of heavy drinking (OR=2.54, p<0.001; 2.61, p<0.05, respectively) and co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (OR=3.31, p<0.001; 4.86, p<0.01, respectively), while none of the mobility variables were predictive of AUD in this age group.

CONCLUSIONS: Cross-border mobility may play an important role in substance use and problems, especially among those 18-29.

FINDINGS also highlight the importance of "drug tourism" in substance use across the age spectrum.

Language: en