scholarly journals Inclusion of Cannabis Users in Alcohol Research Samples: Screening In, Screening Out, and Implications

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-423
Author(s):  
Alexandra Venegas ◽  
Lindsay R Meredith ◽  
Ziva D Cooper ◽  
Brandon Towns ◽  
Lara A Ray
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Higher Alcohol ◽  
The Past ◽  
Heavy Drinkers

Abstract Background Alcohol and cannabis are frequently co-used, as 20–50% of those who drink alcohol report co-using cannabis. This study is based on the argument that alcohol researchers should enroll cannabis users in human laboratory studies of alcohol use disorder (AUD) to strengthen generalizability. This study examines how heavy drinking cannabis users differ from non-cannabis using heavy drinkers. Methods In a community sample of non-treatment-seeking heavy drinkers (n = 551, 35% female), cannabis users were identified through: (a) self-reported cannabis use in the past 6 months and (b) positive urine toxicology test for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis users, identified as described previously, were compared with non-cannabis users on demographic and clinical characteristics. Results Those who endorsed cannabis use in the past 6 months reported more binge drinking days. Participants who tested positive for THC had higher Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test scores and more binge drinking days. Younger age and being a tobacco smoker were associated with an increased likelihood of cannabis use in the past 6 months, whereas male gender and being a tobacco use were associated with a greater likelihood of testing positive for THC. Individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD) endorsed more depression and anxiety and had higher AUD symptom counts than cannabis users without CUD. Conclusions The inclusion of cannabis users in AUD samples allows for increased clinical severity. Excluding cannabis users from AUD studies may limit representativeness and expend unnecessary study resources. Lastly, tobacco use may explain a large portion of the effects of cannabis use on sample characteristics. Short Summary Alcohol and cannabis are frequently co-used substances. In a sample of non-treatment-seeking heavy drinkers (n = 551, 35% female), cannabis users reported higher alcohol use and higher likelihood of tobacco use than non-cannabis users. Including cannabis users in alcohol research studies will improve representativeness and likely increase clinical severity.

scholarly journals Toward the prevention of alcohol use disorders: Overdrinking (unintentional binge drinking) in a community sample

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 205510291879270 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Michler Bishop ◽  
Jose Luis Rodriquez Orjuela
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Problem Drinking ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorders ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Past

Approximately 64,000,000 people in the United States report binge drinking at least once in the past month. Unlike overeating and oversleeping, “overdrinking”—defined as drinking more than a person intends to drink—does not exist in the literature. Terms such as binge and problem drinking do not consider the intent of the drinker. The results of this pilot study suggest that most people drink more than they intend to drink. Moreover, they also report often being surprised that they overdrank. Smartphones may help overdrinkers be less often surprised by overdrinking and may prevent drinkers from developing an alcohol use disorder.

scholarly journals Additive roles of tobacco and cannabis co-use in relation to delay discounting in a sample of heavy drinkers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Nieto ◽  
Alexandra Venegas ◽  
Elizabeth M. Burnette ◽  
James MacKillop ◽  
Lara A. Ray
Keyword(s):  
Delay Discounting ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Additive Effect ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Baseline Visit ◽  
Heavy Drinkers ◽  
Human Laboratory

Abstract Rationale Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with steeper delay discounting rates; however, it is unknown whether substance co-use, particularly cannabis use, has an additive effect on discounting rates among heavy drinkers. Furthermore, it is unclear whether substance co-use and delay discounting are independently associated with AUD severity. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis co-use impacts delay discounting rates. We also sought to determine whether substance co-use and delay discounting were associated with AUD symptom counts. Methods The study sample was culled from several human laboratory studies and consisted of 483 heavy drinking individuals who completed a baseline visit (prior to experimental procedures). Participants were divided into groups based on self-reported alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use during the past 30 days: alcohol only (n = 184), alcohol + cigarettes (n = 89), alcohol + cannabis (n = 82), and tri-use (n = 128). We examined discounting rates across the 4 groups and used multiple linear regression to test whether co-use and delay discounting were associated with AUD symptoms. Results After adjusting for covariates, individuals in the alcohol + cannabis group and the tri-use group had steeper discounting rates relative to the alcohol-only group. In addition, tri-use and delay discounting rates were independently correlated with a greater number of AUD symptoms. Conclusions Delay discounting rates were significantly greater among subgroups reporting cannabis use providing partial support for an additive effect, while also highlighting the importance of co-use substance type. Both tri-use and delay discounting were associated with greater AUD severity, which may provide relevant intervention targets.

scholarly journals Prevalence and correlates of non-daily and daily cannabis use among persons 15 years and older in South Africa: results of a national survey in 2017

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shandir Ramlagan ◽  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Supa Pengpid
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Never Married ◽  
The Past ◽  
Male Sex

Abstract Background The study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of non-daily and daily cannabis use among persons 15 years and older in South Africa. Method In a national cross-sectional 2017 survey, 39,207 persons 15 years and older (Median = 34 years) responded to a questionnaire on cannabis use and health variables. Multinominal logistic regression was used to assess the determinants of nondaily and daily cannabis use among the general population and logistic regression for the determinants of daily cannabis use among active cannabis users. Results Results indicate that 5.0% of the participants engaged in non-daily and 2.8% in daily cannabis use in the past 3 months. In adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis, male sex, Grade 8–11 education, Coloureds, alcohol use disorder, never married, and other drug use were positively associated with daily cannabis use while not in not labour force was negatively associated with daily cannabis use. Moreover, male sex, never married, alcohol use disorder, and other drug use were positively, while physical multimorbidity was negatively associated with nondaily cannabis use. In adjusted logistic regression, compared to nondaily cannabis users, daily cannabis users were more likely male and were less likely not in the labour force and were less likely using other drugs. Conclusion About one in ten participants had used cannabis in the past 3 months in South Africa. Several sociodemographic and health indicators were identified that were associated with non-daily and/or daily cannabis use.

DSM-5 alcohol use disorder features among treatment-seeking older adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke Behrendt ◽  
Barbara Braun ◽  
Randi Bilberg ◽  
Gerhard Bühringer ◽  
Michael Bogenschutz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Gender ◽  
International Multicenter

Abstract. Background: The number of older adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is expected to rise. Adapted treatments for this group are lacking and information on AUD features in treatment seeking older adults is scarce. The international multicenter randomized-controlled clinical trial “ELDERLY-Study” with few exclusion criteria was conducted to investigate two outpatient AUD-treatments for adults aged 60+ with DSM-5 AUD. Aims: To add to 1) basic methodological information on the ELDERLY-Study by providing information on AUD features in ELDERLY-participants taking into account country and gender, and 2) knowledge on AUD features in older adults seeking outpatient treatment. Methods: baseline data from the German and Danish ELDERLY-sites (n=544) were used. AUD diagnoses were obtained with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, alcohol use information with Form 90. Results: Lost control, desired control, mental/physical problem, and craving were the most prevalent (> 70 %) AUD-symptoms. 54.9 % reported severe DSM-5 AUD (moderate: 28.2 %, mild: 16.9 %). Mean daily alcohol use was 6.3 drinks at 12 grams ethanol each. 93.9 % reported binging. More intense alcohol use was associated with greater AUD-severity and male gender. Country effects showed for alcohol use and AUD-severity. Conclusion: European ELDERLY-participants presented typical dependence symptoms, a wide range of severity, and intense alcohol use. This may underline the clinical significance of AUD in treatment-seeking seniors.

Using Machine Learning to Classify Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder Based on Treatment Seeking Status

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary R. Lee ◽  
Vignesh Sankar ◽  
Aaron Hammer ◽  
William G. Kennedy ◽  
Jennifer J. Barb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Treatment Seeking

The Role of Neural Reward Expectancy and Valuation in Readiness to Change Among Treatment Seeking Veterans With Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

2021 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. S342
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Hagerty ◽  
Timothy C. Durazzo ◽  
Leanne M. Williams ◽  
Claudia B. Padula
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Reward Expectancy
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