scholarly journals The Influence of Alcohol and Drugs on Drowning among Victims of Senior Years

Safety ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Pearn ◽  
Amy Peden ◽  
Richard Franklin
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Australian Study ◽  
Alcohol And Drugs ◽  
Drug Involvement ◽  
The Impact

Unintentional fatal drowning among older people is an issue as lifespans lengthen and older people embrace active retirement. While pre-existing medical conditions are a known risk factor for drowning among this age group, less is known about the role of alcohol and drugs. This 15-year (1 July 2002 to 30 June 2017) Australian study used coronial data to investigate the impact on older people (aged 65 years and older) of the obtundent effects of prescribed drugs which had been ingested by those with a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Of the closed coronial cases with toxicological information (N = 471), one quarter (24.6%; N = 116) had consumed alcohol prior to drowning (one in seven BAC ≥ 0.05%), of which a third also had obtundent drugs present (33.6%; N = 39). Rivers/creeks/streams and swimming pools were the locations with the highest number of drowning deaths. Bathtubs (36.8%) and rivers/creeks/streams (17.9%) recorded the highest proportion of cases with victims having a BAC ≥ 0.05%. Bathtubs (13.2%), lakes (7.0%), and rivers/creeks/streams (6.8%) recorded the highest proportion of drowning cases with obtundent drug involvement. Obtundent drug involvement was significantly more likely for activities where the person who drowned was alone (i.e., unknown activity) (X2 = 6.8; p = 0.009). Common obtundent drugs included Diazepam, Tempazepam, and Codeine. Advocacy to prevent drowning in older people is a complex challenge, due to the myriad of locations where drowning occurs, the consumption of alcohol, and polypharmacy required for treating illness and maintaining good health.

A Review of Alcohol-Impaired Driving: The Role of Blood Alcohol Concentration and Complexity of the Driving Task

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 1238-1250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teri L. Martin ◽  
Patricia A. M. Solbeck ◽  
Daryl J. Mayers ◽  
Robert M. Langille ◽  
Yvona Buczek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Impaired Driving ◽  
Alcohol Impaired Driving ◽  
Driving Task

scholarly journals Manner of Death of Older People with Regard to Blood Alcohol Concentration

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 266-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lubica Juríčková ◽  
Kateřina Ivanová ◽  
Martin Dobiáš ◽  
Richard Andrášik ◽  
Peter Ondra
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Manner Of Death

Preliminary Effectiveness of Remotely Monitored Blood Alcohol Concentration Device as Treatment Modality (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank D. Buono ◽  
Colette M. Greed ◽  
Martin Boldin ◽  
Allison Aviles ◽  
Natalie Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Treatment Motivation ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Limited Effectiveness ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED Alcohol use disorder is a chronic disorder with a high likelihood of relapse. Consistent monitoring of blood alcohol concentration through breathalyzers is critical to identifying relapse or misuse. Smartphone applications as a replacement of, or in conjunction with breathalyzers, have shown limited effectiveness. Therefore, the purpose of this research protocol manuscript is to evaluate the usage and acceptability of a wireless blood alcohol concentration device in collaboration with a long-term treatment facility to assess increased sobriety for patients with alcohol use disorder. The randomized clinical trial will be across two arms, access to the wireless breathalyzer versus no access to the breathalyzer, while both groups have access to treatment. Evaluation will last three months with a six week-follow up, during which each participant will be interviewed at admission, 1 month in, 2 months in, 3 months in and follow-up. Outcomes will focus on the acceptability of the wireless breathalyzer within the alcohol use disorder population and the impact of quality-of-life measures and clinical features on treatment motivation. In addition, we intend to identify the participants’ experiences in relationship to their treatment satisfaction and perceived support.

Interaction of alcohol and drugs in fatal poisonings

2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 281-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Koski ◽  
Ilkka Ojanperä ◽  
Erkki Vuori
Keyword(s):  
Acute Toxicity ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
The Other ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Single Drug ◽  
Alcohol And Drugs ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Postmortem Blood ◽  
Toxicity Indices

In Finnish data from 1995 / 2000, 1006 fatal poisonings due to alcohol (ethanol), a single drug or both were statistically analysed in retrospect to evaluate the interaction between alcohol and drugs. In 53% of these cases, low concentrations of some common benzodiazepines were present. The median postmortem blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 3.3 (w/w) in the 615 alcohol poisonings, but significantly lower, ranging from 1.3 to 1.7, when promazine, doxepin, amitriptyline or propoxyphene were found together with alcohol. When levomepromazine, temazepam or zopiclone were present, the median BAC was also significantly lower, 2.5 trations of a drug (excluding citalopram), suggesting a positive concentration / effect relationship. Fatal toxicity indices (FTIs) were calculated by relating the number of deaths caused by a drug to the corresponding sales figures. Promazine had an extremely high FTI, followed by levomepromazine, propoxyphene, doxepin and amitriptyline. The other drugs had relatively low FTIs. The results reflect not only the acute toxicity of a given drug / alcohol combination but also the manners of use and abuse of these drugs.

scholarly journals Patterns of alcohol and drug utilization in trauma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at six trauma centers

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance McGraw ◽  
Kristin Salottolo ◽  
Matthew Carrick ◽  
Mark Lieser ◽  
Robert Madayag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Trauma Centers ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Level I ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background Since the national stay-at-home order for COVID-19 was implemented, clinicians and public health authorities worldwide have expressed growing concern about the potential repercussions of drug and alcohol use due to social restrictions. We explored the impact of the national stay-at-home orders on alcohol or drug use and screenings among trauma admissions. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study at six Level I trauma centers across four states. Patients admitted during the period after the onset of the COVID-19 restrictions (defined as March 16, 2020-May 31, 2020) were compared with those admitted during the same time period in 2019. We compared 1) rate of urine drug screens and blood alcohol screens; 2) rate of positivity for drugs or alcohol (blood alcohol concentration ≥ 10 mg/dL); 3) characteristics of patients who were positive for drug or alcohol, by period using chi-squared tests or Fisher’s exact tests, as appropriate. Two-tailed tests with an alpha of p < 0.05 was used on all tests. Results There were 4762 trauma admissions across the study period; 2602 (55%) in 2019 and 2160 (45%) in 2020. From 2019 to 2020, there were statistically significant increases in alcohol screens (34% vs. 37%, p = 0.03) and drug screens (21% vs. 26%, p < 0.001). Overall, the rate of alcohol positive patients significantly increased from 2019 to 2020 (32% vs. 39%, p = 0.007), while the rate of drug positive patients was unchanged (57% vs. 52%, p = 0.13). Of the 1025 (22%) patients who were positive for alcohol or drugs, there were significant increases in a history of alcoholism (41% vs. 26%, p < 0.001), and substance abuse (11% vs. 23%, p < 0.001) in the 2020 period. No other statistically significant differences were identified among alcohol or drug positive patients during COVID-19 compared to the same period in 2019. Conclusions Our first wave of COVID-19 data suggests that trauma centers were admitting significantly more patients who were alcohol positive, as well those with substance use disorders, potentially due to the impact of social restrictions and guidelines. Further longitudinal research is warranted to assess the alcohol and drug positive rates of trauma patients over the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Impact of Protective Behavioral Strategy Use Frequency on Blood Alcohol Concentrations Among Student Drinkers Nationwide

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
Adam E. Barry ◽  
Ashley L. Merianos
Keyword(s):  
College Student ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Behavioral Strategy ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: This study assessed whether college student (1) protective behavioral strategy (PBS) use differed between those who reached legal intoxication during their most recent drinking episode compared to those who did not reach the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold, and (2) frequency of PBS use could explain the variance associated with BAC during the most recent drinking episode, above and beyond one’s sex, age, and involvement in the Greek system. Design: Secondary data analysis of the American College of Health Association’s National College Health Assessment. Setting: Forty-four distinct campuses were included. Participants: A total of 21479 college students were included. Measures: BAC and PBS were measured. Analysis: The data were analyzed by conducting both independent samples t-tests and a multiple regression model. Effect sizes are reported. Results: Participants who reached legal intoxication used PBS less frequently ( P < .001; d = 0.80). Frequency of PBS use had the strongest unique contribution to the regression model (β = −.315, P < .001), such that participants with higher BAC reported less frequent use of PBS. Conclusion: Interventions should seek to develop strategies that encourage college student use of PBS prior to, and during, drinking episodes. More frequent use of PBS can reduce intoxication as well as occurrence of alcohol-associated consequences.

scholarly journals Victim of violent death: what is the role of alcoholemia?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 048-052
Author(s):  
Miziara Ivan Dieb ◽  
Carmen Miziara Silvia Molleis Galego
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Femoral Vein ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Forensic Toxicology ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Violent Death ◽  
Blood Alcohol

Introduction: The tendency to impulsive behaviors and/or violence is exacerbated after alcohol consumption. Still, the relation between alcohol/violent deaths reported in the literature is not accurate, and in general, alcohol is only seen as a trigger to aggressive actions. The relationship of the victims with their blood alcohol is less studied. They were especially concerned about the role of alcohol as a risk factor for victims of unnatural death. Thus, our goal is to check the influence of alcohol in victims of violent deaths as homicides, suicides, and accidents. Materials and methods: Retrospectively the medical records of 805 autopsies performed at the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IML) of Franco da Rocha, in the period 2001 to 2017 were reviewed. The variables studied were sex, age, types of violent death rates, and alcohol - these were considered positive when above 0.3 mg/ml. The dosage of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was performed using samples of 10 ml of blood collected at necropsy, is preferably taken from the cardiac chambers or of the right femoral vein. Dosages of alcohol in blood samples were done in the Forensic Toxicology Center of the IML by gas chromatography, using the technique of separation “headspace” and double column. Results: Drug testing for alcohol was available for 488 (79.1%) of 617 necropsies. Of the 617 subjects studied, 532 (85.7%) were male, and 85 (13.8%) were females (with high rates of adolescents). The vast majority (n = 230) were killed, and 40.5% of victims had BAC above 0.3 mg/ml of blood. Traffic accidents came next, accounting for 181 deaths, with 41% of victims presenting positive BAC. Discussion: High blood alcohol levels of the victims were associated mainly with the genesis of accidents (drowning, falls, traffic, aspiration/ smothering) and murder (with impaired ability to resist or by causing the release of impulses to engage in violent situations), about 40% of cases. Conclusion: Our results indicate that alcohol abuse is a risk factor for victims of violent death. In these cases, alcohol has two types of action. Direct: contributes to accidents of various kinds - from traffic by decreasing powers of concentration, attention, and loss of reflexes, to other types of accidents such as drowning, falls, swallowing disorders causing airway obstruction, and mechanical asphyxia. And they were indirect, making it easier for individuals to engage in conflict (and thus become victims of crimes).

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