Relationship between marijuana and other illicit drug use and depression/suicidal thoughts among late middle-aged and older adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namkee G. Choi ◽  
Diana M. DiNitto ◽  
C. Nathan Marti ◽  
Bryan Y. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
The Usa

ABSTRACTBackground:Despite growing numbers of older-adult illicit drug users, research on this topic is rare. This study examined the relationship between marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and major depressive episode (MDE) and serious suicidal thoughts among those aged 50+ years in the USA.Methods:The public use files of the 2008 to 2012 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provided data on 29,634 individuals aged 50+ years. Logistic regression analysis was used to test hypothesized associations between past-year marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and MDE and serious suicidal thoughts.Results:Nearly 6% of the 50+ years age group reported past-year marijuana and/or other illicit drug use. Compared to non-users of any illicit drug, the odds of past-year MDE among those who used marijuana only, other illicit drugs only, and marijuana and other illicit drugs were 1.54 (95% CI = 1.17–2.03), 2.75 (95% CI = 1.75–4.33), and 2.12 (95% CI = 1.45–3.09), respectively. Those who used marijuana and other drugs also had higher odds (2.44, 95% CI = 1.58–3.77) of suicidal thoughts than non-users of any illicit drug. However, among users of any illicit drug, no difference was found among users of marijuana only, marijuana and other illicit drugs, and other illicit drugs only. Among marijuana users, marijuana use frequency was a significant correlate of suicidal thoughts only among those with MDE.Conclusions:Health and mental health (MH) service providers should pay close attention to the potential reciprocal effects of marijuana and other illicit drug use and MDE and suicidal thoughts among late middle-aged and older adults.

Gender differences in panic disorder symptoms and illicit drug use among young people in Hungary

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Kecskés ◽  
Z. Rihmer ◽  
K. Kiss ◽  
T. Sárai ◽  
A. Szabó ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Self Reporting Questionnaire

SummaryThe authors have investigated the frequency of illicit drug use, and spontaneous and drug-provoked panic disorder symptoms in Hungarian youths. A semi-structured self-reporting questionnaire (with questions about drug usage and the persistence of some DSM-IV panic disorder symptoms) was filled out in discos/nightclubs, secondary schools and universities. Almost 17% of the total sample (n = 1298) reported on illicit drug-use at least once in their life, and this rate was significantly higher among males. Regardless of the illegal drug use 14.6% of the total sample reported on four or more DSM-IV symptoms of panic disorder, and this rate was significantly higher among females. Analyzing the panic disorder symptoms only among drug-users (n = 219), the frequency of persons with four or more anxiety symptoms was 14.1% before drug use, and it increased to 30.6% during the period of drug use (P < 0.001). The findings support previous results showing (i) higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms among females; (ii) higher rate of illicit drug use among males; and (iii) a possible anxiety-provoking effect of illicit drugs.

scholarly journals Has illicit drug use become normalised in groups of Swedish youth? A latent class analysis of school survey data from 2012 to 2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrik Karlsson ◽  
Mats Ekendahl ◽  
Josefin Månsson ◽  
Jonas Raninen
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Drug Policy ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug Users ◽  
High Prevalence

Background: It is often assumed that illicit drug use has become normalised in the Western world, as evidenced for example by increased prevalence rates and drug-liberal notions in both socially advantaged and disadvantaged youth populations. There is accumulating research on the characteristics of young illicit drug users from high-prevalence countries, but less is known about the users in countries where use is less common. There is reason to assume that drug users in low-prevalence countries may be more disadvantaged than their counterparts in high-prevalence countries, and that the normalisation thesis perhaps does not apply to the former context. Aim: This article aims to explore to what extent such assertions hold true by studying the characteristics of young illicit drug users in Sweden, where prevalence is low and drug policy centres on zero tolerance. Material and Method: We draw on a subsample ( n = 3374) of lifetime users of illicit drugs from four waves of a nationally representative sample of students in 9th and 11th grade (2012–2015). Latent class analysis (LCA) on ten indicators pertaining to illicit drug use identified four classes which we termed “Marijuana testers”, “Marijuana users”, “Cannabinoid users” and “Polydrug users”. Findings: Indications of social advantage/disadvantage such as peer drug use, early substance-use debut and truancy varied across groups, particularly between “Marijuana testers” (low scores) and “Polydrug users” (high scores). Conclusions: Our findings corroborate the idea that the majority of those who have used illicit drugs in the Swedish youth population have tried marijuana a few times only. We discuss whether or not the comparably large share of socially advantaged “Marijuana testers” in a comparably small sample of lifetime users can be interpreted as a sort of normalisation in a prohibitionist drug policy context.

scholarly journals Prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use in people with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Korea

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249361
Author(s):  
Soon Ok Lee ◽  
Jeong Eun Lee ◽  
Shinwon Lee ◽  
Sun Hee Lee ◽  
Jin Suk Kang
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Injection Drugs

Background Data on illicit drug use by Korean people infected with HIV are lacking. Here, we examined the prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use among people infected with HIV in Korea. Material and methods In this cross-sectional study, we included all patients infected with HIV who visited a tertiary care hospital in Korea from January 1990 to May 2020. Sociodemographic data of patients, including drug use, were collected at the first visit and during follow-up. Results Among 1,267 patients, 5.13% reported the use of an illicit drug in their lifetime, and 2.61% were users of injection drugs. The most commonly used drugs were cannabis/marijuana and methamphetamine, followed by nitrite inhalants, cocaine, dextromethorphan, carisoprodol, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. The illicit drug users tended to be younger than non-users, homosexuals/bisexuals, and infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV); they had a higher CD4+ cell count than non-users. Among 65 users of illicit drugs, only 24.6% revealed their drug use at the first visit interview, and 24.6% reported using two or more drugs in their lifetime. Individuals who used injection drugs were more likely to be arrested for drug-related charges than the users of non-injection drugs. Moreover, they tended to be heavy users of illicit drugs, to report using two or more drugs in their lifetime, and to be HCV seropositive. In contrast, the users of non-injection drugs were more likely to be experimental users and to start using drugs overseas for the first time, but less likely to report their drug use at the first interview. Conclusions The prevalence of illicit drug use in people with HIV infection in Korea may have been underestimated. Further research based on more accurate measurements are warranted.

Fire on the Mountain: Reinvigorating Legislative Measures to Quench the Flame of Illicit Drug Use in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-29
Author(s):  
Sogo Angel Olofinbiyi ◽  
Thembelihle Mtambo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
South African ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
African Government ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Legislative Measures

South African societies have been characterized by the prolific incidence of illicit drug use in recent times.  The paper attempts to examine the legislations implemented on the use of illicit drugs in South Africa. The study adopts a review of the literature to identify and describe the most common illicit drugs used around South Africa communities, placing emphasis on the policies developed by the South African government in combating these situations. The research follows a critical   discussion on the issues associated with drug use, its causes, as well as its effects on humans and the environment. The study recommends relevant initiatives to combat all intricacies associated with drug use within the country. This approach will be appropriate in facilitating a clear-cut   understanding of the possible remedies to quench the burning flame of illicit drug use across a broad range of South African communities.

scholarly journals Illicit Drug Use in Canada and Implications for Suicidal Behaviors, and Household Food Insecurity: Findings from a Large, Nationally Representative Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6425
Author(s):  
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi ◽  
Dan Beamish ◽  
Jude Dzevela Kong ◽  
Jianhong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Suicidal Attempts ◽  
Nationally Representative

Background and Aims: Illicit drug use is an ongoing health and social issue in Canada. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of illicit drug use and its implications for suicidal behaviors, and household food insecurity in Canada. Design: Cross-sectional population survey. Setting: Canada, using the 2015–2016 Canadian Community Health Survey, a nationally representative sample selected by stratified multi-stage probability sampling. Participants: A total of 106,850 respondents aged ≥ 12 years who had completed information on illicit drug use. Measurements: Illicit drug use was assessed through a series of questions about illicit drug use methods. Respondents who reported lifetime illicit drug use but no past-year use were considered to have prior illicit drug use. In this survey, illicit drug use included cannabis use. Findings: Overall, the prevalence of lifetime, past-year, and prior illicit drug use was 33.2% (9.8 million), 10.4% (3.1 million), and 22.7% (6.7 million), respectively. In models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, prior illicit drug use was significantly associated with increased odds of past-year suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.21, 95% CI 1.04–1.40), and plans (1.48, 1.15–1.91), and past-year household food insecurity (1.27, 1.14–1.41), and the odds were much higher among prior injecting drug users than prior non-injecting drug users. No significant correlation was found between prior illicit drug use and past-year suicidal attempts, but there was a strong association between past-year illicit drug use and past-year suicidal attempts. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that even after people have stopped taking illicit drugs, prior illicit drug use, especially for prior injecting drug use, continues to be associated with increased risks of subsequent suicidal ideation, and plans, and household food insecurity.

Silent severe myocardial ischemia in a past illicit drug user imaged with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

Perfusion ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 026765912110281
Author(s):  
Chrissa Sioka ◽  
Georgios Georgiou ◽  
Christos Katsouras ◽  
Konstantinos Pappas ◽  
Dimitris-Nikiforos Kiortsis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Myocardial Perfusion ◽  
Myocardial Ischemia ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Microvascular Dysfunction ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction ◽  
Illicit Drug User ◽  
Cardiac Symptoms

Patients with illicit drug use may have deleterious acute and chronic cardiac effects. We present a case of a 42-year-old man, former alcohol and various illicit drugs user, who was admitted to the psychiatric unit for management of psychosis. Because of his previous drug and alcohol history, a cardiological evaluation was performed which revealed silent severe myocardial ischemia detected by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). The myocardial ischemia was attributed to coronary microvascular dysfunction, occurring several years after quitting the illicit drugs. This study highlights the potential myocardial ischemia that may occur in patients with previous alcohol and illicit drug use, and the role of MPI, a non-invasive test that can provide important information regarding the myocardial status of such patients, even without obvious cardiac symptoms or findings.

Illicit Drug Use in Older Adults

2022 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-53
Author(s):  
Ziad Ghantous ◽  
Victoria Ahmad ◽  
Rita Khoury
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use

scholarly journals Use of illicit drugs by adolescents and young adults of an urban settlement in Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-118
Author(s):  
Rafael Alves Guimarães ◽  
Márcia Maria de Souza ◽  
Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano ◽  
Sheila Araujo Teles ◽  
Marcos André de Matos
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Urban Settlement ◽  
Factors Associated

Summary Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with illicit drug use by adolescents and young adults of a formal urban settlement. Method: Cross-sectional study including adolescents and young adults 12-24 years of an urban settlement in the Midwest Region of Brazil. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Stata, version 12.0. We used Poisson regression model to estimate the factors associated with illicit drug use. Results: Of the total participants (n=105), 27.6% (95CI 20.0-36.9%) had used illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, LSD and inhalants. The consumption of these substances was associated with male gender, use of body piercing and/or tattoos, licit drug use and self-report of signs and/or symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: High prevalence of illicit drug use was found in the individuals investigated, ratifying the presence of risk factors to the vulnerability of the settlers to use these substances in the urban settlement population.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document