Abstract
Background: This article evaluates the perception of drug use control and strategies in Valencia City (Spain) in a general and clinical population, in two independent studies. Material and Methods: 1071 people participated. In Study 1 (n = 924) the entire sample came from the general population (GP), and in Study 2 (n = 147), 68 were drug users being treated in an Addictive Behavior Unit (ABU), and 79 people of the GP. The drug use control perception and strategies in both subgroups were compared. The participants filled in the Drug Use Strategies Scale and a Drug Use Survey. Results: A high level of perception of drug control in the GP was obtained (72.7% in Study 1 and 67.5% in Study 2), and 32.5% in the ABU subgroup. People in the GP and drug users in treatment differ in some control strategies. A predictive profile of the perception of control was obtained for Study 2. Conclusion: The high degree of perception of controlling drug use in the GP, and partially in drug users being treated, and the specific control strategies reported suggests that moderate use and drug control strategies are a great value alternative to bear in mind compared to abstinence.
Highlights
There is growing evidence that controlled drug use is more the rule than the exception, and that personal control is relevant even in cases of addiction [1]
Community studies conducted with large samples of heavy cocaine drug users and other drugs around the world have shown that controlled cocaine use is very frequent, which refutes the myth of the “inevitability of the climb from drug use to addiction” [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]
Other studies conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Sweden with frequent users of cannabis and other drugs have verified that drug users adopt rational criteria to control their drug use, by acting normally in their day-to-day lives, and by reducing possible risks and harm caused by drugs [19,20]
Summary
There is growing evidence that controlled drug use is more the rule than the exception, and that personal control is relevant even in cases of addiction [1]. Community studies conducted with large samples of heavy cocaine drug users and other drugs around the world have shown that controlled cocaine use is very frequent, which refutes the myth of the “inevitability of the climb from drug use to addiction” [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12] One of these studies defines “controlled use” as “a self-controlled use pattern that does not derive from any significant social dysfunction in, for example, any alteration in skills to assume the roles and responsibilities in daily living” [11] Other studies conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Sweden with frequent users of cannabis and other drugs have verified that drug users adopt rational criteria to control their drug use, by acting normally in their day-to-day lives, and by reducing possible risks and harm caused by drugs [19,20]
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