Abstract
Background and objectives: Drug abuse has become a major worldwide health concern among all age groups. The present study analyses substance misuse and its social and personal consequences using a population-based internet survey in Spain. Materials and Methods: Screening for drug abuse (of alcohol, marijuana/hashish and psychostimulants) and its related risks and problems was performed using the Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) score. Socio-demographic factors, depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms as well as health habits were also evaluated. We used Linear regression methods to compare each variable’s individual contribution so as to determine which one best explains the results. Results: In this population-based study, 1224 people completed and returned the online survey. Of all participants, 57% reported consuming at least one substance based on the CRAFFT scale. While increasing age reduces the probability of personal and social consequences of consumption, people who smoke receive up to three times more (OR = 3.370) recommendations from family and friends to reduce their consumption. As for the type of substance, the consumption of marijuana increases the risk of forgetting (OR = 2.33) and the consumption of other psychostimulant substances almost triples the risk of consuming alone (OR = 2.965). Combining substances can increase the rate of driving a vehicle after consumption by 3.4 times. Conclusions: Although age, smoking and the type of substances used increase the risk of suffering from social and personal consequences of the use or abuse of substances, future studies are needed to determine the influence of new variables as a potential tool for treating and minimizing the adverse consequences of drug abuse.
Highlights
Several studies show that experimentation with the effects of tobacco, alcohol and, to a lesser extent, other illegal substances begins during adolescence
In recent decades, health agencies and university authorities have expressed concern about an increase in the use of alcohol and other substance abuse, e.g., of cannabis and amphetamines, among college students [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. The abuse of these substances has become a major health concern worldwide, and some adolescents who use or abuse these substances tend to reduce their consumption over time [10], it is plausible that a proportion of the adult population continues to use and abuse these substances
The sociodemographic, lifestyle and substance use characteristics of the sample are presented in Tables 1 and 2
Summary
Several studies show that experimentation with the effects of tobacco, alcohol and, to a lesser extent, other illegal substances begins during adolescence. In recent decades, health agencies and university authorities have expressed concern about an increase in the use of alcohol and other substance abuse, e.g., of cannabis and amphetamines, among college students [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9] The abuse of these substances has become a major health concern worldwide, and some adolescents who use or abuse these substances tend to reduce their consumption over time [10], it is plausible that a proportion of the adult population continues to use and abuse these substances.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
