Routes of Administration of Illicit Drugs among Young Swiss Men: Their Prevalence and Associated Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Adverse Outcomes

Natalia Estévez-Lamorte,Meichun Mohler-Kuo,Gerhard Gmel,Simon Foster

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111158

Abstract

The prevalence of different routes of administration (ROAs) of illicit drugs other than cannabis was examined in young Swiss men, in addition to the association between socio-demographics and adverse outcomes and particular ROAs. Our sample consisted of 754 men (mean age = 25.4 ± 1.2 years) who participated in the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors and reported using any of 18 illicit drugs over the last 12 months. Prevalence estimates were calculated for oral use, nasal use, smoking, injecting, and other ROAs. Associations between ROAs and socio-demographics and adverse outcomes (i.e., alcohol use disorder (AUD), suicidal ideations, and health and social consequences) were calculated for using single versus multiple ROAs. The most prevalent ROA was oral use (71.8%), followed by nasal use (59.2%), smoking (22.1%), injecting (1.1%), and other ROAs (1.7%). Subjects’ education, financial autonomy, and civil status were associated with specific ROAs. Smoking was associated with suicidal ideations and adverse health consequences and multiple ROAs with AUD, suicidal ideations, and health and social consequences. The most problematic pattern of drug use among young adults appears to be using multiple ROAs, followed by smoking. Strategies to prevent and reduce the use of such practices are needed to avoid adverse outcomes at this young age.

Highlights

IntroductionIllicit drugs can be used through different routes of administration (ROAs), such as oral use, nasal use, smoking, and injecting
Introduction published maps and institutional affilIllicit drugs can be used through different routes of administration (ROAs), such as oral use, nasal use, smoking, and injecting
With respect to adverse outcomes, we focused on outcomes assessed in C-SURF and previously reported among illicit drug users, including mental health problems, such as alcohol use disorder (AUD)

Summary

Introduction

Illicit drugs can be used through different routes of administration (ROAs), such as oral use, nasal use, smoking, and injecting. The way in which drugs are taken affects how effectively and rapidly they are absorbed and metabolised by the body and, influences the risk of developing dependence and the types of harm experienced by drug users [1,2]. Most previous research has focused on injected drug use and related consequences, because this is considered the most harmful route of drug administration and is often used by consumers with more severe use patterns (e.g., see [1,3,4,5,6]). Users who consumed drugs through other routes were, when included, often coalesced into a single group (i.e., noninjectors), and used as a comparison group in studies exploring injection as the main. Even though these other ROAs appear to be less dangerous than injection iations

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