scholarly journals High Prevalence and Early Onsets: Legal and Illegal Substance Use in an Urban Cohort of Young Adults in Switzerland

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Boris B. Quednow ◽  
Annekatrin Steinhoff ◽  
Laura Bechtiger ◽  
Denis Ribeaud ◽  
Manuel Eisner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Community Representative ◽  
Current Prevalence ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Legal Substances

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Debates about the legalization of illegal substances (e.g., cannabis) continue around the globe. A key consideration in these debates is the adequate protection of young people, which could be informed by current prevalence and age-of-onset patterns. For Switzerland, such information is limited, which is particularly true for women, despite advanced political efforts to legalize cannabis. The objective of the current study was to investigate substance use prevalence rates and ages of onset in a community-representative sample of female and male young adults in Switzerland. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Data came from the Zurich Project on the Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood (z-proso). In 2018, participants (<i>N</i> = 1,180, 50.8% females) were ∼20 years old. Lifetime and past-year use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabinoids, stimulants, hallucinogens, opioids, and benzodiazepines were assessed with an extensive substance use questionnaire. Additionally, ages of onsets of the respective substances were estimated by averaging participants’ self-reported ages of onsets from ages 13 to 20 (max. 4 assessments). <b><i>Results:</i></b> 57% of 20-year-olds had used cannabinoids, 16% stimulants, 15% opioids (mostly codeine), and 8% hallucinogens in the past year. Males had higher prevalence than females for most drugs; nevertheless, females’ prevalence rates were notably high. Legal substance use was typically initiated 1.3–2.7 years before legal selling age. Thus, almost half of the sample had consumed alcohol and tobacco by age 14. More than 40% of the total sample had smoked cannabis by age 16. Males initiated use of legal substances and cannabis earlier than females. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Our recent community-representative data suggested unexpectedly high levels and early onsets of substance use compared to a previous Swiss surveys and also the European average. Drug policy debates should consider urban substance use patterns when considering legalization efforts.

scholarly journals Substance use patterns and in-hospital care of adolescents and young adults attending music concerts

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Ruest ◽  
Alexander M. Stephan ◽  
Peter T. Masiakos ◽  
Paul D. Biddinger ◽  
Carlos A. Camargo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Hospital Care ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Use Patterns

scholarly journals Preferences for Simultaneous Polydrug Use

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-368
Author(s):  
Jeanette Østergaard ◽  
Stine V. Østergaard ◽  
Adam Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Multinomial Regression ◽  
Drug Experience ◽  
Polydrug Use ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Use ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
The Difference

Cross-national surveys of young adults’ simultaneous polydrug use (SPU) are rare, as measuring polydrug use requires multiple questions capturing the timing, sequence, and dosage of mixing drugs. This study proposes a new way of measuring SPU by examining how preferences for simultaneous polydrug use (PSPU) vary among club/bar-goers in two European countries, Denmark and England, typically cited as exemplars of the normalization of illegal drug use. The study considers the utility of the normalization thesis for understanding preferences for polydrug use in the European nighttime economy. An in situ survey of 1,298 young adults (18–35 years) conducted in 50 bars, pubs, and nightclubs in England and Denmark assessed sociodemographics, substance use patterns, and personal preference(s) for mixing alcohol and drug use. Multinomial regression analyses examined the relative risk of PSPU categories among those reporting drug use, according to sociodemographics, alcohol intake, frequency of intoxication, and smoking. Illicit drug use was more prevalent among young adults in England than Denmark. The difference was smallest for cannabis use: Lifetime cannabis use is 66% in England and 58% in Denmark. Lifetime cocaine use was 38% in England and 17% in Denmark. In England, young adults with drug experience preferred to mix alcohol with cocaine (65%). In Denmark, young adults with drug experience preferred to mix alcohol with cannabis (78%). In multinominal regression, Danish young adults’ educational level was associated with PSPU, whereas in England legal substance use was associated with PSPU. This study calls for a more differentiated understanding of normalization. Preferences for mixing alcohol and drug use varied significantly cross nationally (alcohol/cocaine, England; alcohol/cannabis, Denmark). Different factors are associated with PSPU in each country. In England, not Denmark, drinking behaviors appear to shape preferences for mixing alcohol with cocaine, suggesting caution should be taken when replicating harm reduction interventions.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Young Adult Vaping, Substance Vaped, and Purchase Location Across Five Categories of Vaping Devices

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam N Cwalina ◽  
Jessica L Braymiller ◽  
Adam M Leventhal ◽  
Jennifer B Unger ◽  
Rob McConnell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Tobacco Control Policies ◽  
Youth And Young Adults ◽  
Never Smokers

Abstract Introduction The rapidly evolving landscape of vaping devices has complicated analyses of use patterns among youth and young adults. The current study describes the prevalence of use, substances vaped, and purchasing behaviors across five different vaping device categories. Aims and Methods Participants (n = 2505; mean age = 19.2, SD = 0.46) from a cohort in the Los Angeles area completed web-based surveys from June 2018 to October 2019. For each of four device type categories depicted via digital images (any pod-style vape, cigalike, box-mod, vape pen) and for JUUL specifically, participants reported ever and past 30-day use, substance vaped (mostly nicotine, nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], mostly THC, neither), ownership of device (yes/no), where they obtained that device (eg, purchased themselves, from a friend), and if purchased, purchase location (eg, vape shop, online). Results Overall, 44.9% reported ever use, and 26.2% reported past 30-day use of at least one of the devices. The prevalence of past 30-day use was highest for pod-style vapes (any pod = 17.0%; JUUL = 15.1%). Among respondents who reported ever owning any device (n = 643 [25.7%]), 59.9% reported purchasing the device themselves, despite not being of legal purchasing age (15.4% of total sample); across all device types, products were most often purchased in vape shops or online. Conclusions Across all devices, the prevalence of self-purchase of vaping devices among underage young adults in the Los Angeles area was high, and most were purchased from a vape shop or online. Tobacco control policies to prevent underage purchase of tobacco products—particularly among never smokers—are needed. Implications A high proportion of underage young adults reported owning their own vaping device and having purchased it themselves from a vape shop or online. Stronger tobacco control policies and better enforcement efforts are needed to successfully prevent underage purchase of tobacco products.

Longitudinal surveys of prevalence rates and use patterns of illicit drugs at selected high-prevalence areas in China from 1993 to 2000

Addiction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 99 (9) ◽  
pp. 1176-1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Hao ◽  
Zhonghua Su ◽  
Shuiyuan Xiao ◽  
Changhe Fan ◽  
Hongxian Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Longitudinal Surveys ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
High Prevalence

scholarly journals A NATIONAL NEED: REHABILITATION SPECIALIST IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Dr. Nooreen Begum
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Substance Abuse Disorder ◽  
Demand And Supply ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Transit Route

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a category of symptoms consisting of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological characteristics arising from the persistent use of the substance despite significant substance-related difficulties in life. Substance usage is growing consistently across the globe as well as in Pakistan. According to one of the studies conducted in 2018; Pakistan has had up to 6.7million drug users, more than 4 million of whom meet the criteria of Substance Use Disorder. Another study also identified a high prevalence of substance use disorders among young adults; making it a national concern. The high prevalence of drug use in the country is attributed to a rise in social adversities and health disparities. Since Pakistan is a transit route for drugs to other countries, it becomes more vulnerable to substance use. It is difficult to provide a strong monitoring system; therefore there must be a way to minimize the demand and supply. Also previously substance use was perceived to be a moral act and a deficiency in character, now it is changing from a taboo to a social status in some social groups which further increases its consumption among young adults

scholarly journals Changes in substance use among young adults during a respiratory disease pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212096532
Author(s):  
Pravesh Sharma ◽  
Jon O Ebbert ◽  
Jordan K Rosedahl ◽  
Lindsey M Philpot
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Product Use

Background: News articles, commentaries, and opinion articles have suggested that ongoing social distancing measures coupled with economic challenges during COVID-19 may worsen stress, affective state, and substance use across the globe. We sought to advance our understanding of the differences between individuals who change their substance use patterns during a public health crisis and those who do not. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of young adults (18–25 years of age) assessing respondent characteristics and vaping, tobacco, alcohol, and/or marijuana use. We calculated prevalence estimates, prevalence changes, and prevalence ratios with associated 95% confidence intervals and looked for differences with the chi-square test. Results: Of the total sample, 53.2% ( n = 542/1018) young adults reported vaping or using tobacco, alcohol, and/or marijuana. Among the 542 respondents reporting use, 34.3% reported a change in their use patterns. Among respondents reporting changes in substance use patterns during the pandemic ( n = 186), 68.8% reported an increase in alcohol use, 44.0% reported a decrease in vaping product use, and 47.3% reported a decrease in tobacco product use due to COVID-19. Substance use changed significantly for respondents with increasing degree of loneliness (continuous loneliness score: prevalence ratio = 1.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.25), anxiety (prevalence ratio = 1.45, 95% confidence interval = 1.14–1.85), and depression (prevalence ratio = 1.44, 95% confidence interval = 1.13–1.82). Conclusion: Self-reported substance use among young adults was observed to change during a pandemic, and the degree of loneliness appears to impact these changes. Innovative strategies are needed to address loneliness, anxiety, depression, and substance use during global health crises that impact social contact.

The second National Epidemiological Survey on illicit drug use at six high-prevalence areas in China: prevalence rates and use patterns

Addiction ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 1305-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Hao ◽  
Shuiyuan Xiao ◽  
Teiqiao Liu ◽  
Derson Young ◽  
Shanmei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
High Prevalence

scholarly journals Changes in patterns of adolescent substance use from 1988 to 2011 in Sweden: a latent class analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Evans ◽  
Y Kim ◽  
C Hagquist
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Internalizing Problems ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Adolescent Substance Use ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Adolescent Substance ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Polysubstance Use ◽  
Experimental Use ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Prevalence rates of adolescent substance use have shifted over time, although potential changes in nuanced patterns of substance use remain unexplored. We examined patterns of adolescent substance use in Sweden and changes in these patterns between 1988 and 2011. Furthermore, we investigated whether gender and internalizing problems were associated with substance use and whether these associations changed over time. Methods The sample included all 15-16-year-old students in Värmland County, Sweden (N = 20,057). Survey data were collected eight times between 1988 and 2011 and analyzed as four cohorts (1988/1991, 1995/1998, 2002/2005, 2008/2011). We measured alcohol, tobacco and inhalant use and internalizing problems. Results A latent class analysis showed that a three-class model fit the data best (i.e. non/low use, experimental use, and polysubstance use classes). Class- and item-response probabilities changed over time: fewer adolescents exhibited riskier substance use patterns in the later cohorts. Boys were more likely than girls to be in the polysubstance use class compared to the non/low use class across all cohorts (all ps &lt; .001). Gender differences in experimental use differed across the cohorts. Adolescents who reported more internalizing problems were more likely to be included in the experimental and polysubstance use classes compared to the non/low use class (all ps &lt; .001) and this effect did not change over the study period. Conclusions We extended the research on trends in rates of substance use by mapping how patterns of substance use changed over time as well as how the effects of gender and internalizing problems shifted. While fewer adolescents exhibited riskier patterns of substance use in the later cohorts, these patterns were associated with experiencing more internalizing problems across the study period. Prevention efforts could be more effective by targeting patterns of substance use rather than prevalence rates. Key messages We tested whether patterns of adolescent substance use changed from 1988 to 2011 in Sweden. Fewer adolescents showed riskier substance use patterns in the late 2000s than in the earlier study years. Gender differences shifted over time for experimental use but not polysubstance use. Internalizing problems were consistently associated with riskier substance use patterns across the study period.

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