A Comparison of High-Risk Situations for Alcohol and Other Drugs

Abstract

The authors examined situational and affective risk factors associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs. Five primary substance groups (alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, sedatives-tranquilizers, and heroin-opiates) were compared on situational risk scales from the Inventory of Drinking and Drug Use Situations. Significant differences were found between groups on both level and pattern of situational and affective risk. Positive social experiences and negative affective states were important risk factors for the alcohol and cocaine groups. Positive affective and situational factors were important for the marijuana group. Negative physical states and interpersonal conflict were important risk factors for the heroin-opiate and sedative-tranquilizer groups. Age and gender were also found to be significantly related to level and pattern of situational risk for alcohol and other drug use.