Citation

Hermos J, Winter M, Heeren T, Hingson R. Subst. Abuse 2009; 30(2): 118-126.

Affiliation

Youth Alcohol Prevention Center and Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08897070902802034

PMID

19347751

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Cannabis impaired driving; Ethanol impaired drivers

Language: en