Characteristics Of Substance Use Research Articles

Socio-emotional Skills in consumers of psychoactive substances

Nowadays people increasingly deal with stress in their day-to-day and the way they adapt involves intrapersonal (emotional relationship), interpersonal and environmental factors, when this adaptation develops in a negative way it can lead to the consumption of psychoactive substances, hence the relevance of the study's theme. The objective of this investigation is to know the profile of emotional competence in consumers of psychoactive substances, making use of an anonymous and confidential questionnaire applied to consumers of psychoactive substances, divided in two parts: the first part, considering variables of sociodemographic and professional character and one second part consisting of the "Veiga Scale of Emotional Competence" (EVCE) (Veiga-Branco, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018). The sample is made up of 78 consumers of psychotic substances, of whom 48 were female, most of the respondents are over 30 years old, are single, have no children, have higher education, live with the family and have a social life. The results obtained reveal that there is no influence of sociodemographic variables nor on the characteristics of substance use on the profile of emotional competence or on the dimensions of the same of consumers of psychoactive substances.

The Relationship of Substance Abuse with Attachment and Emotion Regulation

Objective: The purpose of this study to examine the characteristics of substance use (SU) and its relationship with psychiatric symptoms, emotion regulation and attachment in youth and young adults with substance abuse in the southeast region of Turkey who have been exposed to repetitive trauma.
 Method: Forty-four patients with substance use complaints completed Sociodemographic Form, Addiction Profile Index (BAPI), BAPI-Clinical Form. Association of SU disorder diagnosis with both emotion regulation as measured by the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and the attachment style as measured by Parent Attachment Tool is evaluated.
 Results: Our sample consists of 44 male patients a mean age of 23.77 years. All of them can read and write, but none of them are university graduates. The rate of being single in marital status is 66%. 60% of them have a low income level. 45% of them do not work. 25% of the sample meets the addiction criteria. Compared to the addicted and non-addicted groups, the addicted groups had significantly higher scores on inadequate anger control, lack of safe behavior, pleasure-seeking behavior, impulsivity, depression, and anxiety. The non-addicted group had a higher mean for cognitive reappraisal. The non-addicted group had a higher mean for cognitive reappraisal. Inadequate anger control, pleasure seeking behavior and duration of anxiety about substance use were found to be risk factors for addiction.
 Conclusions: The addicted group is different from the non-addicted group for BAPI subscales and ERQ subscale- a cognitive reappraisal. The current findings expand our understanding of the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction, especially in provinces such as Şırnak, where traumatic life events are repeated, as there are many risk factors for SUD.

Criminal thinking and psychosocial characteristics among young adults entering residential substance use treatment.

Background and aim: Young adults with substance use (SU) problems face a high risk of co-occurring problems, including criminality. The aim of the present study was to assess the psychosocial characteristics, SU problems, and criminal thinking young adults entering SU treatment have, and whether the SU characteristics, sex and age are associated with criminal thinking scores. Methods: The sample was 407 young adults aged 16-29 years who underwent an entry assessment between January 2011 and December 2016 at a residential SU treatment institution in Norway. All study data were extracted from electronic health records, including survey information from the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment and the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles. Results: In the present sample, severe SU, high rates of psychosocial problems, and criminal thinking were reported. Almost three-quarters (72.67%) of young adults reported high levels of criminal thinking (≥60). However, male participants were more likely to report high levels of criminal thinking compared to female participants (p=0.031). In bivariate regression models, only sex and having stimulants/opioids as primary drug were associated with mean levels of criminal thinking. The same was true in the multiple regression model. Conclusion: Young adults in residential SU treatment are a multi-problem high-risk/high-need group of people. Due to the elevated levels of criminal thinking, we recommend that young adults in SU treatment should be screened for criminogenic treatment needs, such as criminal thinking, regardless of justice involvement.

Trends and age-related characteristics of substance use in the hospitalized homeless population.

We aimed to examine trends and characteristics of substance use (opioid, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin) among hospitalized homeless patients in comparison with other hospitalized patients in 3 states.This was a cross-sectional study, based on the 2007 to 2015 State Inpatient Data of Arizona, Florida, and Washington (n = 32,162,939). Use of opioid, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, respectively, was identified by the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision. Multi-level multivariable regressions were performed to estimate relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Dependent variables were the use of substances (opioid, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin), respectively. The main independent variable was homeless status. The subgroup analysis by age group was also conducted.Homeless patients were associated with more use of opioid (RR [CI]), 1.23 [1.20–1.26], cocaine 2.55 [2.50–2.60], marijuana 1.43 [1.40–1.46], and heroin 1.57 [1.29–1.91] compared to other hospitalized patients. All hospitalized patients including those who were homeless increased substance use except the use of cocaine (RR [CI]), 0.57 [0.55–0.58] for other patients and 0.60 [0.50–0.74] for homeless patients. In all age subgroups, homeless patients 60 years old or older were more likely to be hospitalized with all 4 types of substance use, especially, cocaine (RR [CI]), 6.33 [5.81–6.90] and heroin 5.86 [2.08–16.52] in comparison with other hospitalized patients.Homeless status is associated with high risks of substance use among hospitalized patients. Homeless elderly are particularly vulnerable to use of hard drugs including cocaine and heroin during the opioid epidemics.

P.0015 Characteristics of substance use regarding to follow-up period: sociodemographic factors, type, frequency and administration of substance

P.0015 Characteristics of substance use regarding to follow-up period: sociodemographic factors, type, frequency and administration of substance

Update: Demographic, Product, and Substance-Use Characteristics of Hospitalized Patients in a Nationwide Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injuries - United States, December 2019.

Update: Demographic, Product, and Substance-Use Characteristics of Hospitalized Patients in a Nationwide Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injuries - United States, December 2019.

Demographics, Personality and Substance-Use Characteristics Associated with Forming Romantic Relationships

The current study aimed to identify demographic, personality and substance-use characteristics associated with forming romantic relationships. Data were collected by two online surveys among students in Bergen, Norway, during the autumn of 2015 (T1) and by a follow-up survey that was conducted 12 months later (T2). The current sample consists of the 2404 participants who reported being single at T1 (mean age 23.2) and who participated in both waves of the survey. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Separate analyses were conducted for both sexes and for the entire sample of participants. High extroversion scores predicted relationship formation. For women, having a child/children, higher scores on neuroticism, alcohol use and illegal substance use positively predicted relationship formation, while for men, age and openness were positive predictors. The study contributes with several novel findings. In general, characteristics related to a need for support predicted romantic relationship formation among women, while characteristics associated with increased resource acquisition potential predicted relationship formation among men. The general pattern of findings is in line with established evolutionary theories such as the sexual strategies theory and the parental investment theory.

A comparison of substance use patterns among lifetime heroin-injecting individuals by racial groups

Background: Studies have identified differential substance use patterns by racial groups. One of the most commonly reported differences is a higher rate of injection drug use (IDU) among Non-Hispanic Whites compared to African Americans, but this is complicated by factors related to IDU (e.g. earlier drug-use initiation) that overlap with being White.Objective: We explored differential substance use-patterns by racial groups within a sample of injection heroin users.Methods: Substance-use data were collected from 373 not-in-treatment heroin users who endorsed any lifetime injection use (69.4% male). We examined differences in substance-use patterns (e.g. age of initiation, gateway adherence) by racial groups. Multiple t-tests with Bonferroni correction were conducted to understand which demographic and substance-use characteristics varied by racial groups.Results: Relative to Non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans (45.8% of sample) were more likely to start using heroin earlier in their life, but also more likely to experience a longer delay between starting and regularly using heroin. We also identified differences in the degree of (injection) heroin-use consequences by racial groups. After correcting for multiple comparisons and controlling for age and gender, we observed differences for six substance-use and demographic characteristics by racial group. White participants were younger, started cocaine use earlier, and experienced more heroin-use consequences across two separate domains.Conclusions: After controlling for injection use, we observed differential substance-use characteristics by racial groups. The findings could be used to develop targeted prevention and harm-reduction strategies.

Eating disorders and substance use in adolescents: How substance users differ from nonsubstance users in an outpatient eating disorders treatment clinic.

The relationship between eating disorders (EDs) and substance use (SU) has only been briefly described in literature using mainly adult populations. This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of SU among patients of an adolescent ED outpatient treatment program. A retrospective chart analysis was conducted to determine and subsequently compare medical status, psychosocial factors, treatment course and outcome between patients with and without SU. Over 60% of patients with SU status (n = 203) reported regularly consuming substances. 33.4% of substance users received a diagnosis involving purging behaviors compared to 5.9% of nonusers. Females composed 96.4% and 81.7% of users and nonusers, respectively. Users reported significantly more self-harm (57.7% of users vs. 38.6% of nonusers) but did not differ significantly in terms of trauma (abuse or victimization; 48.3% of users vs. 44.9% of nonusers). The percentage of ideal body weight significantly improved throughout treatment and did not differ by SU with a mean increase of 5.29% (SD = 13.6) among nonusers compared to 5.45% (SD = 7.5) of users. While users and nonusers did not differ before and after treatment in ED severity, users were more likely than nonusers to drop-out of treatment (41.5% of users vs. 25.2% of nonusers). Adolescents with SU benefit from ED outpatient treatment as much as those without SU, however, users are more likely to drop-out. Therefore, treatment should target these adolescents' emotional dysregulation to improve treatment compliance. Further research is necessary to determine the efficacy of such an approach.

Patterns of Drinking Behaviors and Predictors of Class Membership among Adolescents in the Republic of Korea: A Latent Class Analysis

Despite the high drinking rates and the complexity of drinking behaviors in adolescents, insufficient attention has been paid to their drinking patterns. Therefore, we aimed to identify patterns of adolescent drinking behaviors and factors predicting the distinct subgroups of adolescent drinking behaviors. We analyzed nationally representative secondary data obtained in 2017. Our final sample included 24,417 Korean adolescents who had consumed at least one glass of alcohol in their lifetime. To investigate patterns of drinking behaviors, we conducted a latent class analysis using nine alcohol-related characteristics, including alcohol consumption levels, solitary drinking, timing of drinking initiation, and negative consequences of drinking. Furthermore, we investigated differences in demographics, mental health status, and characteristics of substance use across the latent classes identified in our study. To do so, we used the PROC LCA with COVARIATES statement in the SAS software. We identified three latent classes of drinking behaviors: current non-drinkers (CND), binge drinkers (BD), and problem drinkers (PD). Compared to the CND class, both BD and PD classes were strongly associated with higher academic year, lower academic performance, higher levels of stress, suicidal ideation, lifetime conventional or electronic cigarette use, and lifetime use of other drugs. Health professionals should develop and implement intervention strategies targeting individual subgroups of drinking behaviors to obtain better outcomes. In particular, health professionals should consider different characteristics across subgroups of adolescent drinking behaviors when developing the interventions, such as poor mental health status and other substance use among binge and problem drinkers.

Sociodemographic inequalities in substance use among young people in Vietnam

BackgroundEarly substance use results in some physical and mental health problems and is a predictor of frequent use later in life. Youths have been recognized as a highly vulnerable population to substance use. However, research assessing the substance use and misuse in this population is constrained in Vietnam. This study aimed to explore the sociodemographic characteristics of substance use among young people in Vietnam. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in five different provinces in Vietnam, specifically Hanoi, Cao Bang, Kon Tum, Binh Thuan, Dong Thap, in which 1200 participants, aged 16–30 answered questions about their substance use (alcohol, tobacco and drugs) in the last 30 days and sociodemographic characteristics. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the correlation between sociodemographic factors and substance use. ResultsThere were 46.2%, 37.3% and 9.9% respondents reported alcohol consumption, smoking and illicit drug use in the last 30 days, respectively. Females were less likely to use single (OR = 0.30; 95%CI = 0.22–0.42) or multiple substances (OR = 0.19; 95%CI = 0.14–0.27) in comparison with males. Those being farmer had a higher likelihood of using multiple substance (OR = 2.01; 95%CI = 1.25–3.24), while those being white-collar workers were more likely to use single substance (OR = 1.74; 95%CI = 1.13–2.66). People living in mountainous areas were more likely to use either single or multiple substances compared to those living in rural areas. ConclusionThis study showed a significantly high prevalence of substance use among Vietnamese youths. Establishing prevention programs targeting youths and adolescents would be essential to prevent the emergence of bigger issues. To be effective, these programs need to be tailored for different specific groups among young adults, especially for males, and those of lesser advantage in mountainous and rural areas.

Factors Associated with Substance Use and Sexual Behavior among Drug Users in Three Mountainous Provinces of Vietnam.

Due to their geographical characteristics, the mountainous areas of Vietnam are particularly vulnerable to illicit drug use. Drug users in remote areas are also more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and characteristics of substance use and sexual behaviors and explored their related factors among newly admitted drug users in three mountainous provinces of Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 newly-admitted drug users registering for Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) at 6 clinics in three provinces: Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Yen Bai from October 2014 to December 2015. Information about the socio-demographic characteristics, history of substance use, and sexual behaviors were collected. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify potential predictors of four outcomes, which included: drug injection, re-use of needles, using condoms during the last time of having sex, and having sexual intercourse with female sex workers. The proportion of injecting drug users was 68.3%; of those 9% never re-used needles. Of note, 69% of those who reported having sex with female sex workers in the last month did not use condoms. Regression models showed that those who injected drugs and had health problems in last 30 days had greater odds of having sex with female sex workers. Drug users in mountainous settings acknowledged the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related risk behaviors and a demand for physical and psychological care. Scaling up MMT services is key to approaching this high-risk group; however, at the same time, comprehensive harm-reduction interventions, counseling, and health care services should also be made accessible and effective in this setting.

The Impact of Enrolment in Methadone Maintenance Therapy on Initiation of Heavy Drinking among People Who Use Heroin

Background: There is equivocal evidence regarding whether people who use heroin substitute heroin for alcohol upon entry to methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). We aimed to examine the impact of MMT enrolment on the onset of heavy drinking among people who use heroin. Methods: We derived data from prospective, community-based cohorts of people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada, between December 1, 2005, and May 31, 2014. Multivariable extended Cox regression analysis examined the effect of MMT enrolment on the onset of heavy drinking among people who used heroin at baseline. Results: In total, 357 people who use heroin were included in this study. Of these, 208 (58%) enrolled in MMT at some point during follow-up, and 115 (32%) reported initiating heavy drinking during follow-up for an incidence density of 7.8 events (95% CI 6.4-9.5) per 100 person-years. The incidence density of heavy drinking was significantly lower among those enrolled in MMT at some point during follow-up compared to those who did not (4.6 vs. 16.2; p < 0.001). MMT enrolment was not significantly associated with time to initiate heavy drinking (adjusted relative hazard (ARH) 1.27; 95% CI 0.78-2.07) after adjustment for relevant demographic and substance-use characteristics. Age and cannabis use were the only variables that were independently associated with the time to onset of heavy drinking (ARH 0.74; 95% CI 0.58-0.94 and ARH 2.06; 95% CI 1.32-3.19, respectively). Conclusion: In this study, MMT enrolment did not predict heavy drinking and may even appear to decrease the initiation of heavy drinking. Our findings suggest younger age and cannabis use may predict heavy drinking. These findings could help inform on-going discussions about the effects of opioid agonist therapy on alcohol consumption among people who use heroin.

Sex differences in cannabis withdrawal symptoms among treatment-seeking cannabis users.

Over 300,000 individuals enter treatment for cannabis-use disorders (CUDs) in the United States annually. Cannabis withdrawal is associated with poor CUD-treatment outcomes, but no prior studies have examined sex differences in withdrawal among treatment-seeking cannabis users. Treatment-seeking cannabis users (45 women and 91 men) completed a Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist (Budney, Novy, & Hughes, 1999, Budney, Moore, Vandrey, & Hughes, 2003) at treatment intake to retrospectively characterize withdrawal symptoms experienced during their most recent quit attempt. Scores from the 14-item Composite Withdrawal Discomfort Scale (WDS), a subset of the Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist that corresponds to valid cannabis withdrawal symptoms described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; APA, 2013) were calculated. Demographic and substance-use characteristics, overall WDS scores, and scores on individual WDS symptoms were compared between women and men. Women had higher overall WDS scores than men, and women had higher scores than men on 6 individual symptoms in 2 domains, mood symptoms (i.e., irritability, restlessness, increased anger, violent outbursts), and gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e., nausea, stomach pain). Follow-up analyses isolating the incidence and severity of WDS symptoms demonstrated that women generally reported a higher number of individual withdrawal symptoms than men, and that they reported experiencing some symptoms as more severe. This is the first report to demonstrate that women seeking treatment for CUDs may experience more withdrawal then men during quit attempts. Prospective studies of sex differences in cannabis withdrawal are warranted.

A social network-informed latent class analysis of patterns of substance use, sexual behavior, and mental health: Social Network Study III, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

We assessed whether a meaningful set of latent risk profiles could be identified in an inner-city population through individual and network characteristics of substance use, sexual behaviors, and mental health status. Data came from 600 participants in Social Network Study III, conducted in 2009 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. We used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify risk profiles and, with covariates, to identify predictors of class. A 4-class model of risk profiles fit the data best: (1) solitary users reported polydrug use at the individual level, but low probabilities of substance use or concurrent sexual partners with network members; (2) social-all-substance users reported polydrug use at the individual and network levels; (3) social-noninjection drug users reported less likelihood of injection drug and solvent use; (4) low-risk users reported low probabilities across substances. Unstable housing, preadolescent substance use, age, and hepatitis C status predicted risk profiles. Incorporation of social network variables into LCA can distinguish important subgroups with varying patterns of risk behaviors that can lead to sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections.

Change in Quality of Life and Its Predictors in Heroin Users Receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Taiwan: An 18-Month Follow-Up Study

Background: A good quality of life (QOL) is associated with successful treatment in patients with opioid dependence. Therefore, it is of clinical benefit to examine what factors can predict a change in QOL among heroin users in the course of a methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program. Objectives: This longitudinal study aimed to examine the patterns and predictors of change in QOL among heroin users during the period of an 18-month MMT program. Methods: A total of 368 intravenous heroin users receiving MMT in southern Taiwan between 2007 and 2008 were interviewed using the Taiwan version of the Brief Version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months of treatment. Demographic and substance-use characteristics, severity of heroin use, HIV serostatus, criminal record, and family function data were collected during baseline interviews. Data on methadone dosage at each follow-up point and the duration of retention in the MMT program were also collected. Results: Improvement in QOL was rapid during the first 3 months after initiation of MMT and slowed beyond the 3-month point. A higher dosage of methadone predicted a better QOL. In addition, longer retention in the program may be associated with a better QOL. Conclusions: The results supported the hypothesis that, regarding QOL, heroin users can benefit rapidly and continuously from a MMT. A higher dose of methadone and longer treatment may predict improvement in QOL. Scientific significance: Efforts are needed to amend the modifiable factors related to poor QOL for heroin users in MMT programs.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Subtypes in Adolescents with Comorbid Substance-Use Disorder

Background: Little is known about the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes and substance-use disorder (SUD). As there is literature suggesting different subtype phenotypes, there may be subtype differences in regard to the risk for developing SUD and substance treatment response. Objectives: To characterize the sample in a Clinical Trials Network (CTN) study according to ADHD subtypes and baseline psychosocial and substance-use characteristics and to compare subtypes on response to treatment. Methods: Secondary analyses on data collected from adolescents (n = 276) diagnosed with ADHD and SUD (non-nicotine) and treated with stimulant medication or placebo and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for substance use. Participants were characterized as inattentive or combined ADHD subtype and compared on baseline characteristics and treatment outcome. Results: The combined subtype presented with more severe SUDs and higher rates of conduct disorder. There were a greater proportion of boys with inattentive subtype. The inattentive subtype appeared less ready for treatment (greater University of Rhode Island Change Assessment precontemplation scores) with poorer coping skills (poorer problem-solving and abstinence focused coping) at baseline. However, the two subtypes responded equally to treatment even after controlling for baseline differences. Conclusions: Findings from this large community sample indicate that there were no subtype differences in treatment response, although there were differences in terms of substance use, antisocial behavior, readiness for treatment, and gender prior to treatment. Scientific Significance: This study is the first to report on subtype differences for treatment response for non-nicotine SUD in a comorbid ADHD-SUD population. Despite some baseline differences, both subtypes responded equally to treatment, suggesting limited relevance for subtype designation on treatment planning.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Substance Use Among Chinese and South Asians in Canada

This study examines Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey data to assess substance use prevalence among Chinese (n = 254), South Asians (n = 245), and Caucasians (n = 14,943). South Asians and Chinese reported less current drinking than Caucasians, and South Asians reported less current drinking than Chinese. South Asians and Chinese reported less cannabis use and any illicit drug use than Caucasians. Compared to Caucasians, Chinese reported less cigarette smoking and South Asians reported less use of any pain relievers. Additional research focusing on immigration and acculturation is warranted to further explore substance use patterns of South Asian and Chinese populations in Canada.