Alcohol, cannabis and amphetamine-type stimulants use among young Pacific Islanders

Introduction and Aims. There are many factors that impact substance use in young people in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). However, the extent and nature of substance use by young people in the PICTs is not clear because of a lack of data on this group. Design and Methods. A desk‐based review (including both white and grey literature) was conducted to explore substance use among young people in the Western Pacific region. This paper presents findings from the PICTs. Results. Prevalence of alcohol, cannabis and amphetamine‐type stimulants use by young people is reported from various sources—primarily based on data derived from the Youth Risk Behaviour and the Second Generation Behaviour Surveillance Surveys. Discussion and Conclusion. There appear to be evidence of risky alcohol consumption and higher levels of cannabis and amphetamine‐type stimulants use in some PICTs compared with Australia and New Zealand. However, data are generally unavailable to establish any trends. Regular, reliable and routine monitoring of patterns and trends in substance use among young people in the PICTs can assist in identifying concerns and developing evidence‐informed interventions to prevent, contain and treat current and any emerging issues.[Howard J, Ali H, Robins L. Alcohol, cannabis and amphetamine‐type stimulants use among young Pacific Islanders. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30;104–110]     

Opinions of non‐pregnant New Zealand women aged 16–40 years about the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy

Introduction and Aims. Premenopausal women's opinions on the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are not well documented. This study aims to assess the opinions of New Zealand women on the safety of alcohol consumption in pregnancy and the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with these opinions. Design and Methods. A nationwide, cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 2005 on a random sample of 1109 non‐pregnant women aged 16–40 years. Data were collected via an interviewer‐administered questionnaire using a web‐assisted telephone interviewing system. Results. Overall, 44% (95% confidence interval 41–47) of women surveyed were of the opinion that no alcohol is safe in pregnancy. Those who stated that no alcohol is safe in pregnancy were more likely to be of Pacific Island ethnicity (P < 0.05) and abstainers (P < 0.001). Women who drank more than two standard drinks of alcohol on a typical occasion and/or who binged were more likely to be of the opinion that ‘more than one standard drink’ of alcohol is safe on a typical drinking day during pregnancy (P < 0.001). Discussion and Conclusions. The association of drinking style with opinions about the safety of alcohol consumption in pregnancy accentuates the need for public health education to reduce risky drinking behaviours in this population. Such efforts may also address the risk associated with many women unintentionally drinking in early pregnancy, especially if the pregnancy is unplanned.[Parackal SM, Parackal MK, Harraway JA, Ferguson EL. Opinions of non‐pregnant New Zealand women aged 16–40 years about the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009]     

Onset and lifetime use of drugs in New Zealand: Results from Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey 2003–2004

Introduction and Aims. Onset and lifetime use of drugs have not previously been reported for all adult ages in New Zealand. This paper reports such results and, for people born in New Zealand, compares age of onset across ethnic groups. Design and Methods. A nationally representative cross‐sectional survey was carried out in 2003–2004, with oversampling of Māori and Pacific people. Participants were aged 16 years or more, living in permanent private dwellings. In the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0), participants were asked if they had ever used drugs (alcohol, tobacco and five groups of other drugs) and the age of first use (except for tobacco). Estimates are weighted. Results. The response rate of 73.3% yielded 12 992 interviews. The percentage of participants who had ever used drugs was: 94.6% for alcohol, 50.8% for tobacco and 42.6% for any extramedical drug, including 41.6% for cannabis, 4.2% for cocaine and 2.9% for opioids. Use was much more common in recent cohorts for extramedical drugs. The median age of onset in each age cohort was always lowest for alcohol, then cannabis, then opioids, then cocaine. Among those born in New Zealand, Māori were more at risk of use than ‘Others’ with the lowest risk for Pacific people. Discussion and Conclusions. Interventions to prevent or to delay the onset of drug use need to occur before and during adolescence. The major cohort differences and the widespread experience of cannabis use help to explain the diversity of opinion in New Zealand about how to deal with this drug.[Wells JE, McGee MA, Baxter J, Agnew F, Kokaua J for the New Zealand Mental Health Survey Research Team. Onset and lifetime use of drugs in New Zealand: Results from Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey 2003–2004. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009;28:166–174]     

Robin Room and cannabis policy: Dangerous comparisons

This paper describes Robin Room's contribution to cannabis policy debates over the period 1993–2010. It focuses on a controversy that erupted over a review that Room and the author undertook for the World Health Organization in the mid‐1990s on the comparative harms of cannabis, alcohol, opiates and tobacco. It also briefly describes Room's recent work on global cannabis policy and ends with a brief appreciation of the character of his scholarly contributions to this field. [Hall W. Robin Room and cannabis policy: Dangerous comparisons. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014]     

Alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction in young adulthood

Introduction and Aims. To examine the associations between substance abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction, before and after adjustment for fixed and time‐dynamic sources of confounding. Design and Methods. Data were drawn from a 30 year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 987 individuals. Associations between alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms, cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction were examined using repeated measures regression models. Associations were adjusted for fixed and time‐dynamic sources of confounding, including family background, personality, demographics, recent life events, current employment and recent mental illness. Results. There were significant associations between alcohol abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P < 0.0001) and between cannabis abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P < 0.0001). These significant associations remained after adjustment for fixed sources of confounding. However, adjusting for time‐dynamic sources of confounding substantially reduced the associations. After adjustment for time‐dynamic sources of confounding there were no significant associations between alcohol abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P > 0.17) or cannabis abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P > 0.25). Discussion and Conclusions. These findings suggest that associations between life substance abuse/dependence and life satisfaction can be explained by time‐dynamic factors, such as employment, life events and comorbid mental illness that are associated with reduced life satisfaction. When due allowance is made for confounding, alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence are not associated with reduced life satisfaction. [Swain NR, Gibb SJ, Horwood LJ, Fergusson DM. Alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction in young adulthood. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:327–333]     

Substance use initiation: The role of simultaneous polysubstance use

Introduction and Aims. Simultaneous polysubstance use (SPU) is a common phenomenon, yet little is known about its role in substance use initiation. Design and Methods. In the present study, 226 cannabis users completed structured interviews about their substance use history. For each substance ever used, participants provided details of their age of first use, their use in the preceding 30 days and whether they co‐administered any other licit or illicit substances the first time they used the substance. Results. For most illicit substances [powder cocaine, crack, amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy), heroin, opium, gamma‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), ketamine, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), mescaline, phencyclidine (PCP), peyote and inhalants], results showed that a clear majority of participants (≥75%) reported SPU during their first‐ever use of the substance. While SPU was less common on occasions of first use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, a high proportion of SPU on occasions of first use of ‘harder’ drugs could be accounted for by the co‐use of alcohol, tobacco and/or cannabis. Discussion and Conclusions. Such findings raise the possibility that specific alcohol, tobacco and/or cannabis use episodes might directly contribute to the initiation of new substance use. Understanding the role of SPU on occasions of first use might help better identify risk factors for substance use progression and improve intervention efforts.[Olthuis JV, Darredeau C, Barrett SP. Substance use initiation: The role of simultaneous polysubstance use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013;32:67–71]     

Differential Impact According to Mission’s Operational Intensity on Psychoactive Substance Use: A Retrospective Cohort of French Male Army Service Members

Background: Stressful deployments in combat areas are known to increase the risk of substance abuse in military personnel. Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare deployment on stressful, high-intensity missions (HIMs) to deployment on low-intensity missions (LIMs) in order to understand factors associated with substance use variations across the mission. Methods: A retrospective cohort study based on a one-shot self-questionnaire was performed four months after their return on two samples of male French Army service members: one returning from an HIM and one from an LIM. The questionnaire focused on tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and psychoactive medication use at three times: before, during, and after the mission. Results: During an HIM, the frequency of tobacco use increased, alcohol use remained stable – although 38% declared a decrease in consumption – and illicit drug use decreased. During an LIM, tobacco and alcohol use increased, cannabis use remained stable, and only cocaine and medication use decreased. After their return, use levels among both samples reverted to values similar to those reported before the mission, except for a decrease in tobacco use observed at return from an HIM. The main factors perceived as related to variations were stress in an HIM and low cost in an LIM. Conclusions/importance: The study suggests a differential impact of deployment on substance use according to the operational intensity of the mission. Variations in use are predominant during the mission with a washout effect after returning home.     

Psychological Risk Factors for Alcohol,Cannabis, and Various Tobacco Use among Young Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis

Background: Alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco use are prevalent in young adults and may be differentially related to psychological symptoms characterized as externalizing or internalizing. Objectives: This study examined the use of alcohol, cannabis, and various tobacco products in relation to externalizing (ADHD) versus internalizing factors (depression, anxiety), hypothesizing alcohol and cannabis use are associated with externalizing factors whereas tobacco use is related to internalizing factors. Methods: Data from a 2-year longitudinal study of 2,397?US college students (aged 18–25) launched in 2014 were analyzed. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item (assessing depressive symptoms), and the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores were examined in relation to subsequent past 30-day use of alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco products (cigarettes, little cigars/cigarillos, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, hookah), as well as nicotine dependence per the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist. Results: Participants were 20.49 (SD = 1.93) years old, 64.7% female, and 65.5% White. In multivariable analyses, greater ADHD symptoms predicted alcohol and cannabis use (p = .042 and p = .019, respectively). Cigarette and little cigar/cigarillo use were predicted by greater depressive (p = .001 and p = .002, respectively), and anxiety symptoms (p = .020 and p = .027, respectively). Nicotine dependence was correlated with greater anxiety symptoms (p = .026). Counter to hypotheses, smokeless tobacco use was predicted by greater ADHD symptoms (p = .050); neither e-cigarette nor hookah use were predicted by these psychological symptoms. Conclusions/Importance: Research examining risk factors for tobacco use must distinguish among the various tobacco products. Moreover, interventions may need to differentially target use of distinct substances, including among the range of tobacco products.     

Perceived risk associated with tobacco,alcohol and cannabis use among people with and without psychotic disorders

Background

Perceived harmfulness of substances is a key concept of behavioural theories that have been used to explain substance use behaviours. However, perceptions of risk associated with substance use have rarely been examined among people with psychotic disorders. This study examined the relationship between perceived harm and patterns of substance use among people with and without psychotic disorders. It also aimed to identify the factors that may be associated with perceived harmfulness of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use among these populations.

Methods

Participants were recruited via first year psychology courses, research databases and the social networking service ‘Facebook’. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire either online or on paper which assessed substance use, perceived harmfulness of substance use, history of mental illness, current psychological distress, and exposure to and acceptance of anti-substance use campaigns. A series of linear regressions were conducted to examine key predictors of the perceived harmfulness of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use.

Results

1046 participants were recruited. Participants were aged 18 to 86 years and 53.2% were female. For tobacco and cannabis, substance use was found to be inversely and significantly related to perceived harm of these substances. In addition, higher risk perceptions for tobacco and cannabis were associated with: being female, perceived effectiveness of anti-substance use campaigns, and less hazardous substance use. Increased age and negative psychosis status were also associated with higher risk perceptions for tobacco, while positive psychosis status was associated with higher risk perceptions for cannabis. Only perceived effectiveness of anti-drinking campaigns was found to be significantly related to perceived harmfulness of alcohol.

Conclusions

These results suggest that demographic, substance use, mental health and public health campaign variables are associated with perceptions of the harmfulness of tobacco, cannabis, and to a lesser extent alcohol, among people with and without mental disorders. While messages regarding the negative consequences associated with cannabis use among people with psychotic disorders may be accepted, there is a continued need to highlight the negative consequences of smoking among people with psychotic disorders.     

The Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire for Men who have Sex with Men (DEQ-MSM): a measure of substance-related beliefs

Introduction and Aims. Alcohol expectancies are associated with drinking behaviour and post‐drinking use thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The expectancies held by specific cultural or sub‐cultural groups have rarely been investigated. This research maps expectancies specific to gay and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and their relationship with substance use. This study describes the specific development of a measure of such beliefs for alcohol, the Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire for Men who have Sex with Men (DEQ‐MSM). Design and Methods. Items selected through a focus group and interviews were piloted on 220 self‐identified gay or other MSM via an online questionnaire. Results. Factor analysis revealed three distinct substance reinforcement domains (‘Cognitive impairment’, ‘Sexual activity’ and ‘Social and emotional facilitation’). These factors were associated with consumption patterns of alcohol, and in a crucial test of discriminant validity were not associated with the consumption of cannabis or stimulants. Similarities and differences with existing measures will also be discussed. Discussion and Conclusions. The DEQ‐MSM represents a reliable and valid measure of outcome expectancies, related to alcohol use among MSM, and represents an important advance as no known existing alcohol expectancy measure, to date, has been developed and/or normed for use among this group. Future applications of the DEQ‐MSM in health promotion, clinical settings and research may contribute to reducing harm associated with alcohol use among MSM, including the development of alcohol use among young gay men.[Mullens AB, Young R McD, Dunne MP, Norton G. The Drinking Expectancy Questionnaire for Men who have Sex with Men (DEQ‐MSM): A measure of substance‐related beliefs. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:372–380]     

The Role of Acculturation and Alcohol Problems on Frequency of Cannabis Use Among Latinas at Risk of an Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancy

Background: Along with alcohol, cannabis is one of the most commonly used substances among women of childbearing age. Recent studies indicate detrimental effects of prenatal cannabis use. Because many women use these substances before realizing they are pregnant, these serious health consequences for women and their offspring are of great concern. Despite the recent upsurge in cannabis use, little is known about individual and sociocultural factors that may contribute to risk of a cannabis-exposed pregnancy, particularly among Latinas of child-bearing age also at risk of an alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP). Objectives: Examine the relationships of acculturation, alcohol use, alcohol problems, and psychological distress with frequency of cannabis use among adult Latinas at risk of an AEP. Methods: The hypothesized model included 76 Latinas and was analyzed using path analysis. The study used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of an intervention targeting risky drinking and tobacco use among women at risk of an AEP in primary care clinics. Results: Greater acculturation was associated with more frequent cannabis use and greater psychological distress. There was a positive indirect relationship between acculturation and alcohol use and alcohol problems through psychological distress. Greater alcohol problems were associated with more frequent cannabis use. Greater psychological distress and alcohol use were indirectly related to more frequent cannabis use through alcohol problems. Conclusions: Findings underscore the critical role of acculturation and alcohol-related problems in cannabis use frequency and have relevant implications for preventive efforts addressing cannabis use among Latinas at risk of an AEP.     

Alcohol-Impaired Driving: The Influence of Adverse Rearing Environments,Alcohol, Cannabis Use,and the Moderating Role of Anxiety

Background: The rate of alcohol-impaired driving (AID) increases during the college years and students who have reported adverse rearing environments appear to be at increased risk for the development of alcohol and drug use behaviors. Alcohol and cannabis are the most commonly used drugs by college students, and these substances are particularly predictive of substance-impaired driving. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate whether adverse rearing environment experiences and level of alcohol and cannabis use are related to the frequency of alcohol-impaired driving and whether anxiety might buffer or accelerate this effect. Methods: Data regarding adversity, drug use, anxiety, and AID were obtained from 1,265 students annually, from first to final year of college, over four waves (Mean Age at wave 1 = 18.5 years). Results: Structural equation modeling supported associations among childhood adversity, alcohol, cannabis, and anxiety symptoms. A significant mediation effect was found such that adversity was predictive of AID via alcohol use and cannabis use. Among men, anxiety symptoms accelerated the path from increased cannabis use and decelerated the path from increased alcohol use to AID frequency. Conclusions/Importance: Childhood adversity is a developmental risk precursor to drug use and AID, whereas anxiety might serve a risk or protective factor to AID, contingent on the drug used.     

Dual cannabis and alcohol use disorders in young adults: Problems magnified

ABSTRACT

Background: Alcohol and marijuana are the 2 most commonly used substances among young adults. The present study examines whether having 2 DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) diagnoses (alcohol and cannabis) is associated with greater problems than having 1 (alcohol or cannabis) diagnosis. Methods: Participants were 307 young adults (18–25 years) from the community who met criteria for DSM-5 alcohol use disorder (AUD), cannabis use disorder (CUD), or both (dual use disorder [DUD]). Participants reported alcohol and marijuana use in the past 90 days (Timeline Follow-Back), alcohol problems (Short Inventory of Problems), and marijuana problems (Marijuana Problems Scale). Results: Eighty-four participants (27.4%) met criteria for AUD, 107 (34.9%) met criteria for CUD, and 116 (37.8%) met criteria for DUD. In multivariate analyses, the DUD group reported greater alcohol use frequency and more alcohol problems than the CUD-only group but not the AUD-only group. However, DUD individuals reported greater drinking intensity than singly diagnosed individuals. Those with DUD reported a greater proportion of marijuana consumption days than the AUD-only group but not the CUD-only group. However, DUD individuals reported more marijuana problems than both singly diagnosed groups. Conclusions: Results show that the concurrent presence of both DSM-5 AUD and CUD is associated with heavier drinking patterns and greater marijuana problems than disordered use of either substance alone, thus affirming the magnified severity of alcohol and marijuana use that accompanies dual DSM-5 alcohol and marijuana use disorders.     

Enhancing clinical research with alcohol, tobacco and cannabis problems and dependence

Issues. A strong body of evidence guides clinical responses to alcohol and tobacco dependence and there is an emerging evidence base informing responses to cannabis dependence. Nevertheless, there are still important gaps in the evidence base. Approach. Three researchers, with backgrounds in alcohol, tobacco and cannabis research examine current clinical research and practice to identify potential future priorities for clinical research. Key Findings. Clinical outcomes will be improved by research that enhances engagement and retention of a broader range of consumers, especially underrepresented and disadvantaged populations who may not respond as well to mainstream interventions. Research might focus on innovative client recruitment approaches, varying treatment intensity, use of new technology and assertive outreach. Assessment of treatment outcome will be enhanced by strategies that facilitate longer‐term follow up of participants, adoption of shared measures of non‐abstinent outcomes and extending the focus and outcome measures beyond drug use. Translation of research into clinical strategies will be enhanced by improving links between theory and interventions, increased attention on factors that influence treatment fidelity, designing treatment studies that are relevant to a variety of clinical settings, focussing on clinician characteristics as treatment variables and developing methodologies that address the capacity of participants to discriminate between placebo and pharmacotherapy. Implications. A range of future research priorities have been identified that have the potential to better engage and retain clients in a range of treatment settings and enhance translation of research findings into improved treatment outcomes.[Allsop S, Carter O, Lenton S. Enhancing clinical research with alcohol, tobacco and cannabis problems and dependence. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010;29;483–490]     

The economic geography of medical cannabis dispensaries in California

BackgroundThe introduction of laws that permit the use of cannabis for medical purposes has led to the emergence of a medical cannabis industry in some US states. This study assessed the spatial distribution of medical cannabis dispensaries according to estimated cannabis demand, socioeconomic indicators, alcohol outlets and other socio-demographic factors.MethodsTelephone survey data from 5940 residents of 39 California cities were used to estimate social and demographic correlates of cannabis consumption. These individual-level estimates were then used to calculate aggregate cannabis demand (i.e. market potential) for 7538 census block groups. Locations of actively operating cannabis dispensaries were then related to the measure of demand and the socio-demographic characteristics of census block groups using multilevel Bayesian conditional autoregressive logit models.ResultsCannabis dispensaries were located in block groups with greater cannabis demand, higher rates of poverty, alcohol outlets, and in areas just outside city boundaries. For the sampled block groups, a 10% increase in demand within a block group was associated with 2.4% greater likelihood of having a dispensary, and a 10% increase in the city-wide demand was associated with a 6.7% greater likelihood of having a dispensary.ConclusionHigh demand for cannabis within individual block groups and within cities is related to the location of cannabis dispensaries at a block-group level. The relationship to low income, alcohol outlets and unincorporated areas indicates that dispensaries may open in areas that lack the resources to resist their establishment.     

Alcohol and tobacco co‐use in nondaily smokers: An inevitable phenomenon?

Introduction and Aims. Alcohol use has consistently been associated with smoking among nondaily smokers. However, this may not be an inevitable relationship that extends across all drinking sessions and/or all nondaily smokers. Recently, distinct subgroups of nondaily smokers have been identified, with one subgroup maintaining a stable pattern of nondaily smoking (long‐term occasional smokers; LOS), and others transitioning to nondaily smoking either from a non‐smoking status (early occasional smokers; EOS) or from a daily smoking status (former daily smokers; FDS). However, little is known about the extent to which these subgroups differ in their alcohol–tobacco co‐administration patterns. Design and Methods. 183 nondaily smokers (74 LOS; 55 EOS; 54 FDS) completed face‐to‐face interviews during which they provided details about their lifetime and past‐week tobacco and alcohol administration patterns. Results. EOS were more likely to report having used alcohol at the time of their first‐ever cigarette relative to the other subgroups (P ≤ 0.001), but there were no differences in past‐week co‐administration patterns between the subgroups. Overall, less than one‐third of all smoking sessions occurred when drinking, but these accounted for more than half of all cigarettes consumed during the previous week. Moreover, while only 42% of drinking sessions involved tobacco co‐administration, when drinking and smoking did co‐occur, significantly greater amounts of alcohol were consumed relative to drinking sessions where no tobacco was used (P < 0.01). Discussion and Conclusions. Findings suggest that alcohol use is not invariably related to smoking in EOS, FDS or LOS, but when it is, across all subgroups co‐administration is associated with mutual dose escalation.[Campbell ML, Bozec LJ, McGrath D, Barrett SP. Alcohol and tobacco co‐use in nondaily smokers: An inevitable phenomenon? Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:447–450]     

Substitution and Complementarity of Alcohol and Cannabis: A Review of the Literature

Background: Whether alcohol and cannabis are used as substitutes or complements remains debated, and findings across various disciplines have not been synthesized to date. Objective: This article is a first step towards organizing the interdisciplinary literature on alcohol and cannabis substitution and complementarity. Method: Electronic searches were performed using PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge. Behavioral studies of humans with “alcohol” (or “ethanol”) and “cannabis” (or “marijuana”) and “complement^*” (or “substitut^*”) in the title or as a keyword were considered. Studies were organized according to sample characteristics (youth, general population, clinical and community-based). These groups were not set a priori, but were informed by the literature review process. Results: Of the 39 studies reviewed, 16 support substitution, ten support complementarity, 12 support neither and one supports both. Results from studies of youth suggest that youth may reduce alcohol in more liberal cannabis environments (substitute), but reduce cannabis in more stringent alcohol environments (complement). Results from the general population suggest that substitution of cannabis for alcohol may occur under more lenient cannabis policies, though cannabis-related laws may affect alcohol use differently across genders and racial groups. Conclusions: Alcohol and cannabis act as both substitutes and complements. Policies aimed at one substance may inadvertently affect consumption of other substances. Future studies should collect fine-grained longitudinal, prospective data from the general population and subgroups of interest, especially in locations likely to legalize cannabis.     

Reports of alcohol‐related problems and alcohol dependence for demographic subgroups using interactive voice response versus telephone surveys: The 2005 US National Alcohol Survey

Introduction and Aims. Interactive voice response (IVR), a computer‐based interviewing technique, can be used within a computer‐assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey to increase privacy and the accuracy of reports of sensitive attitudes and behaviours. Previous research using the 2005 National Alcohol Survey indicated no overall significant differences between IVR and CATI responses to alcohol‐related problems and alcohol dependence. To determine if this result holds for demographic subgroups that could respond differently to modes of data collection, this study compares the prevalence rates of lifetime and last‐year alcohol‐related problems by gender, ethnicity, age and income subgroups obtained by IVR versus continuous CATI interviewing. Design and Methods. As part of the 2005 National Alcohol Survey, subsamples of English‐speaking respondents were randomly assigned to an IVR group that received an embedded IVR module on alcohol‐related problems (n = 450 lifetime drinkers) and a control group that were asked identical alcohol‐related problem items using continuous CATI (n = 432 lifetime drinkers). Results. Overall, there were few significant associations. Among lifetime drinkers, higher rates of legal problems were found for white and higher income respondents in the IVR group. For last‐year drinkers, a higher percentage of indicators of alcohol dependence was found for Hispanic respondents and women respondents in the CATI group. Discussion and Conclusion. Data on alcohol problems collected by CATI provide largely comparable results to those from an embedded IVR module. Thus, incorporation of IVR technology in a CATI interview does not appear strongly indicated even for several key subgroups.[Midanik LT, Greenfield TK. Reports of alcohol‐related problems and alcohol dependence for demographic subgroups using interactive voice response versus telephone surveys: The 2005 US National Alcohol Survey. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]     

Gender Differences in Stressful Life Events,Social Support,Perceived Stress,and Alcohol Use Among Older Adults: Results From a National Survey

Stressful life events, perceived stress, and social support relationships with consumption, at-risk drinking, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) were studied in a population-based sample of current drinkers age 60+ in the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (Wave 2; 2004–2005; n = 4,360). Stressful life events were associated with AUD among men and women, and crime victimization among men only. However, greater perceived stress was associated with lower consumption among women and greater odds of AUD in men, highlighting differences in the relationship between stress and alcohol use by gender that may be the result of the stress alcohol link.