An Examination of Multiple Substance Use Between African American and Caucasian Female College Students

Abstract

This study examined the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and cocaine among 445 African American and Caucasian female college students. Using the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, the authors explored: (1) the extent of substance use; and (2) whether or not African American female college students were more or less likely to engage in the use of these substances compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Results indicated that alcohol was the most frequently used substance, with more than 73% of the participants reporting alcohol use. The second most commonly used drug was tobacco followed by marijuana; however, only one-fourth of the participants reported using these substances. Cocaine was the least frequently used substance, with less than 2% of the participants reporting the use of this substance. Results also indicated that Caucasian female college students were more likely to engage in the use of alcohol and tobacco than are African American female college students.     

Endorsement of the “firewater myth” affects the use of protective behavioral strategies among American Indian and Alaska Native students

Belief in an American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) specific biological vulnerability (BV) to alcohol problems (aka the “firewater myth”) has been found to be associated with worse alcohol outcomes among AI/AN college students who drink, despite also being associated with greater attempts to reduce drinking. In the current study, we examined the associations of belief in a BV and belief that AI/AN people have more alcohol problems with the use of alcohol protective behavioral strategies (PBS) among AI/AN college students. PBS examined, as measured by the Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale-20, included manner of drinking, limiting/stopping drinking, and serious harm reduction strategies. Participants were college students who identified being AI/AN (n = 137) and had drank in the past month, and were selected from a larger multi-site study on PBS. Mediation models revealed that greater belief in a BV and belief that AI/AN people have more alcohol problems were both negatively associated with manner of drinking, which in turn was associated with greater past month alcohol use and alcohol consequences. These beliefs were not significantly associated with other PBS. Consistent with prior research with other student populations, both manner of drinking and limiting/stopping drinking were associated with less alcohol use and all three domains of PBS were directly associated with fewer alcohol consequences. The results suggest that these beliefs regarding AI/AN people and alcohol negatively affect the use of strategies aimed at avoiding drinking behavior that can lead to rapid drinking and a higher blood alcohol content, contributing to alcohol consequences.     

Patterns and correlates of the co-use of marijuana with any tobacco and individual tobacco products in young adults from Wave 2 of the PATH Study

BackgroundPast-month marijuana use has increased significantly among US young adults (aged 18–24) and marijuana use often overlaps with tobacco use. This study investigated the relative prevalence and correlates of individual tobacco product use among young adult marijuana and tobacco users to determine if unique typologies could be identified.MethodData were from young adults (18–24) in Wave 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Analyses examined the prevalence of different patterns of past 30-day marijuana and tobacco use and co-use. Weighted adjusted models were used to examine correlates of different marijuana and individual tobacco co-use profiles (compared to no-use of either product).ResultsPrevalence estimates showed that 30.9% of young adults report past month tobacco-only use, 21.3% report past-month co-use of marijuana and at least one tobacco product, and 4.5% report past 30-day marijuana-only use. Correlates of co-use differed by tobacco product. Using 3+ tobacco products and frequency of past 30-day alcohol use were robustly and consistently associated with each marijuana and individual tobacco co-use profile and any co-use of marijuana with tobacco.ConclusionsAmong US young adults between 2014 and 2015, co-use of marijuana and tobacco was common, and there was heterogeneity in correlates associated with use of different tobacco products among those who used marijuana. Different correlates suggest different targets for marijuana and tobacco prevention and intervention in this age group.     

Family history density of substance use problems among undergraduate college students: Associations with heavy alcohol use and alcohol use disorder

PurposeA family history of alcoholism has been found associated with problematic alcohol use among college students, but less research has examined the effects of family history density of substance use problems in this population. This study examined the prevalence of family history density of substance use problems and its associations with heavy alcohol use, negative alcohol consequences, and alcohol use disorder in a college sample.MethodsBased on a secondary analysis of a probability sample, data were analyzed from 606 undergraduate students. Family history density of substance use problems included both first and second degree biological relatives. Heavy alcohol use was the total number of days in which participants drank five/four or more drinks for men/women, negative alcohol consequences were derived from items commonly asked in college student surveys, and an alcohol use disorder was defined as meeting diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence. Point prevalence estimated rates of family history density of substance use problems, and negative binomial, ANCOVA, and logistic regression models examined associations between family history density and the alcohol variables while adjusting for sociodemographic variables.ResultsFamily history density of substance use problems was not significantly associated with total days of heavy alcohol use. Having a second degree, a first degree, or both a first and second degree relative(s) with a substance use problem, however, was significantly associated with experiencing negative alcohol consequences. In addition, having both a first and second degree relative(s) with a substance use problem significantly increased the odds of having an alcohol use disorder.ConclusionsFamily history density of substance use problems may play a role in experiencing negative alcohol consequences and in having an alcohol use disorder among undergraduate college students and may be an important risk factor to assess by college health professionals.     

High alcohol use and misuse among a national sample of school adolescents in Benin in 2016

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and misuse among adolescents in the 2016 Benin ‘Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)’. In all, 2536 adolescents with a median age of 17?years (interquartile range = 3) from Benin responded to the 2015 cross-sectional GSHS. A nationally representative sample of students between the ages of 13 and 17?years was selected based on a two-stage (schools and classes) cluster sample design. Students responded to questions on sociodemographic factors, substance use, psychological distress, other health risk behaviour and protective factors. Almost half (44.1%) of the adolescents reported past-month alcohol use, 25.3% ever been drunk, and 15.0% past-month heavy alcohol use (≥two more drinks/day). In adjusted Poisson regression analysis, among both boys and/or girls, current tobacco use, multiple sexual partners, ‘ever cannabis use’, ‘ever amphetamine use’, school truancy, bullying victimization, soft drink consumption and lack of parental support were associated with alcohol use and/or misuse. A high prevalence of alcohol use and misuse was found and strategies to prevent alcohol misuse, including a number of risk behaviours, are needed.     

Preventing substance use among Native American youth: three-year results

This study developed and tested skills- and community-based approaches to prevent substance abuse among Native American youth. After completing pretest measurements, 1,396 third- through fifth-grade Native American students from 27 elementary schools in five states were divided randomly by school into two intervention arms and one control arm. Following intervention delivery, youths in all arms completed posttest measurements and three annual follow-up measurements. Youths in schools assigned to the intervention arms learned cognitive and behavioral skills for substance abuse prevention. One intervention arm additionally engaged local community residents in efforts to prevent substance use among Native American youth. Outcome assessment batteries measured youths' reported use of smoked and smokeless tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. Over the course of the 3.5-year study, increased rates of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use were reported by youths across the three arms of the study. Though cigarette use was unaffected by intervention, follow up rates of smokeless tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use were lower for youths who received skills intervention than for youths in the control arm. Community intervention components appeared to exert no added beneficial influence on youths' substance use, beyond the impact of skills intervention components alone. Finally, gender differences were apparent across substances, measurements, and study arms, with girls smoking more cigarettes and boys using more smokeless tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.     

Differences in alcohol use patterns between adolescent Asian American ethnic groups: Representative estimates from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2002–2013

ObjectiveStudies have suggested that alcohol use prevalence is increasing among Asian American adolescents and there may be significant differences between specific adolescent Asian American ethnicities.MethodData from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002–2013) were used to estimate prevalence of alcohol use (lifetime, past-month, past-year) and problem (binge drinking, alcohol use disorder [AUD], and early initiation of use) outcomes among adolescent Asian American ethnicities.ResultsFilipino Americans had the highest prevalence of lifetime (29.3%) and past-month (10.3%) use; Korean Americans had the highest prevalence of past-year use (22.7%). Asian Indian Americans had the lowest prevalence of all three use indicators: 14.6%, 11.9%, and 4.9% for lifetime, past-year, and past-month, respectively. Korean Americans had the highest prevalence of binge drinking (5.4%), Filipino Americans had the highest prevalence of AUD (3.5%), and Vietnamese Americans had the highest prevalence of early initiation of use (13.5%). Asian Indian Americans had the lowest prevalence for all three alcohol problem indicators: 2.6%, 1.0%, and 4.9% for binge drinking, AUD, and early initiation of use, respectively.ConclusionsPrevalence estimates of alcohol outcomes among Korean, Japanese, and Filipino American adolescents were high and similar to other racial groups that are often considered higher risk racial groups. Estimates among large subgroups with low alcohol use prevalence, Chinese and Asian Indian Americans, may mask high rates among other Asian ethnicities when alcohol use estimates are presented among Asians overall. When feasible, researchers should present alcohol use estimates disaggregated by specific Asian American ethnicities and investigate differences in risk factors across groups.     

Patterns of concurrent alcohol,tobacco, and cannabis use in Germany: Prevalence and correlates

Aims: This study investigated past month patterns and risk factors of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use by level of intensity in the German general population.

Methods: Data from the 2006 German Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (ESA) were used. The cross-sectional random sample consisted of N?=?7912 adults aged 18–64 years. The response rate was 45%. Intensive use of each substance was measured applying substance-specific cut-off points: alcohol: >20/30?g pure ethanol daily for women/men; tobacco: ≥20 cigarettes daily; cannabis: on ≥6 occasions monthly.

Findings: The majority of substance users reported no intensive use of any of the three substances (77.5%) and 19.4% had used one of the three substances intensively. A total of 3.1% engaged in intensive use of multiple substances with alcohol and tobacco (2.3%) as the most prevalent pattern. A higher risk for intensive use of multiple substances was found among males, older individuals and those with a substance use disorder.

Conclusions: Results of this study call for an integrated view on substance use and related disorders in prevention and treatment, taking diverse use patterns and specific needs of substance abusers into account.     

Drug Use Among Texas Alternative School Students: Findings from Houston's Safer Choices 2 Program

Abstract

Self-report drug use data were collected from 494 alternative school students, grades seven through 12, surveyed through the Safer Choices 2 study in Houston, Texas. Data were collected between October 2000 and March 2001 via audio-enabled laptop computers equipped with headphones. Twenty-eight percent of the sample reported past-month marijuana use, and 10% reported past-month opiate/codeine use. Males were almost twice as likely as females to have used cocaine during the past month, and over four times as likely to have used opiates/codeine during the past month. Students 16 years and older and were twice as likely to have ever used cocaine and opi ates/codeine than students under 16 years. Latinos were 10 times more likely than Blacks to have ever used cocaine; Blacks were twice as likely as Latinos to have used opiates/codeine during the past month. Males were twice as likely as females to have tried “fry,” a new street drug made of tobacco or marijuana mixed with embalming fluid and PCP. These new drug trends are startling because they indicate a potential for long-term treatment services for abusers.     

Risk/Protective Factors Associated with Substance Use Among Runaway/Homeless Youth Utilizing Emergency Shelter Services Nationwide

Abstract

Rates of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use among runaway/homeless youth are substantially higher than found among American high school students. To understand the risk and protective factors associated with substance use, this study (1) assessed cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use among a national sample of runaway/homeless youth, (2) identified risk/protective factors associated with lifetime substance use, and (3) examined risk/protective factors associated with six month frequency of substance use. Unduplicated cases (n = 11,841) from the 1997 Runaway/Homeless Youth Management Information System (RHY MIS) were analyzed. Results showed that substance use levels are greater than previously reported for this population. Predictors of cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use and frequency were predominately individual youth risk factors and demographics rather than family risk factors. Providers in emergency youth shelters are in a prime position to assess substance use behaviors, as well as the associated risk factors. Provision of appropriate screening and referral to other services is essential to meet the needs of these youth.     

Nicotine dependence and psychiatric and substance use comorbidities in a sample of American Indian male veterans

BackgroundAmerican Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rates of nicotine dependence in the U.S. However, studies analyzing associations between nicotine dependence and psychiatric and substance use disorders in these groups have been limited.MethodsThis study analyzes the co-occurrence of current and lifetime DSM-III-R nicotine dependence with psychiatric and substance use disorders in a community sample of 480 American Indian male veterans.ResultsLifetime nicotine dependence (23.3%) was associated with all lifetime disorders studied, including alcohol use and drug use disorders, affective and anxiety disorders, PTSD, pathological gambling and antisocial personality disorder. Current nicotine dependence was present in 19% of the sample and significantly associated with current affective and gambling disorder.ConclusionsSubstantial co-morbidity exists between nicotine dependence and other substance abuse and psychiatric disorders among this sample of American Indian male veterans, particularly for lifetime diagnoses. Screening for all psychiatric disorders among American Indian/Alaska Native smokers may be warranted. Although these results are similar to those observed among the general U.S. population, unique risk factors exist among American Indians/Alaska Natives which may require further attention. Specific public health and clinical interventions to reduce the rate of nicotine dependence among American Indians/Alaska Natives are recommended.     

Substance Misuse among Native and Rural High School Students in Quebec

A questionnaire exploring the smoking habits, past and current use of alcoholic beverages, cannabis, and other illicit drugs was distributed among Francophone and Native high school students in a rural area of Quebec. The lifetime prevalence figures indicated that use of illicit drugs was significantly higher among Native students. This held true particularly for stimulants and inhalants (p <. 001). Figures for the 1-year prevalence indicated that use of stimulants in Native students remained still significantly higher (p <. 01). However, consumption of alcoholic beverages was more important in Francophone students (p <. 05). A gender difference was observed in Native students, females reporting an earlier involvement with most substances under study. This tendency decreased with age. The implications of this study for the prevention of alcohol and substance abuse among rural and Native youths are discussed.     

Positive expectancies mediate the link between race and alcohol use in a sample of Native American and Caucasian college students

Background: Though abundant research suggests that Native Americans report high rates of alcohol use and related consequences, little research has examined drinking patterns among Native American college students. It is possible that drinking rates for this group may differ from their non-college counterparts and also from those of Caucasian college students. The aim of this study was to examine whether alcohol use differs between Native American and Caucasian college students, and specifically whether alcohol expectancy effects mediate the relationship between race and drinking. Method: Participants were 43 Native American and 87 Caucasian college students who reported on their positive and negative expectancy effects and past-6-month drinking. Results: Caucasians reported drinking significantly more alcohol and holding stronger positive expectancies. Bootstrapping mediational analysis with 95% confidence intervals indicated that positive but not negative expectancy effects mediated the relationship between race and past-6-month drinking. Conclusions: This preliminary research is the first to examine expectancy effects as mediators of the relationship between Native American and Caucasian race and drinking. Further understanding of the differences in positive expectancy effects between groups may have important implications for prevention and treatment of alcohol use among Native American college students.     

Compulsive Eating and Substance Abuse Factors Among African-American Community College Students

Abstract

This study examines die associations between compulsive eating and selected substance abuse factors. Respondents were incoming African-American community college students (N = 374). Instruments completed by the respondents consisted of the Compulsive Eating Scale, the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, and Satisfaction With Life Scale. No strong associations were found between compulsive eating, satisfaction with life, and the substance abuse factors examined, including reported family history of substance abuse. However, strong positive associations were found between the age of first use and the frequency of use within the last year of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine.     

Substance Use and Parent Characteristics Among High School Students: Edirne Sample in Turkey

ABSTRACT

The current study on substance use and family characteristics of adolescents is a part of the extensive research on substance use characteristics among high school students in Edirne, Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 8,483 high school students within the 2010–2011 academic year. Self-administered questionnaires were completed anonymously by the participants. The lifetime prevalence of alcohol use was 24.6% and tobacco use was 21.4%. The most commonly used illicit substance was cannabis (1%), followed by inhalants (0.5%) and ecstasy (0.4%). The use of alcohol, tobacco, and nearly all the illegal substances was significantly higher among males compared to females. The rates of lifetime substance use varied by family-related factors such as family structure, perceived parental attitudes and intrafamilial relationships, parental socioeconomic status, and parental substance use. The limitations and implications of these findings are discussed.     

Time Trends and Policy Gaps: The Case of Alcohol Misuse Among Adolescents in Lebanon

Background: Monitoring studies are crucial for informing and reforming local policies. Objectives: Using the Lebanon 2005 and 2011 Global School-based Student Health Surveys (GSHS), alcohol time trends were described, policy gaps were identified, and harm reduction policy recommendations were made. Methods: In 2005 and 2011, 100 (n = 5109 students) and 44 (n = 2784 students) middle schools were surveyed, respectively. Self-reported cross-sectional data on alcohol use among 7–9th graders in private and public schools was collected including 30-day prevalence, lifetime drunkenness, alcohol-related problems, and sources of alcohol. Results: In 2011, the majority (87%) had alcohol before turning 14. Between 2005 and 2011, past 30-day alcohol use had increased by 40% and lifetime drunkenness by 50% in the total sample (122% among females with a narrowing in the gender gap). Drinking was regular for more than a third of the past 30-day drinkers (drank two or more drinks on the days they drank). Male adolescents were more likely to obtain alcohol from “stores” or “through their friends” whereas females’ main source was their “family.” One in twenty reported experiencing alcohol-related problems (e.g., getting into fights with family/friends and skipping school). Conclusion/Importance: Evidence-informed policy implications include enforcing a minimum legal drinking age, regulating alcohol advertising, and marketing particularly those targeting youth and women, and ensuring the availability of youth-friendly services. Public messages to increase awareness among all stakeholders including youth, their parents, and larger community are also needed.