Abdallah, Arbi Ben

Cottler, Linda B

Leung, Kit Sang

Nattala, Prasanthi

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Washington University School of MedicineDigital Commons@BeckerPosters2010: Disentangling the Genetics of Alcoholism:Understanding Pathophysiology and ImprovingTreatment2010Characteristics and correlates of simultaneoussedative-alcohol use among alcohol and non-medical sedative usersPrasanthi NattalaWashington University School of Medicine in St. LouisKit Sang LeungWashington University School of Medicine in St. LouisArbi Ben AbdallahWashington University School of Medicine in St. LouisLinda B. CottlerWashington University School of Medicine in St. LouisFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/guzeposter2010Part of the Medicine and Health Sciences CommonsThis Poster is brought to you for free and open access by the 2010: Disentangling the Genetics of Alcoholism: Understanding Pathophysiology andImproving Treatment at Digital Commons@Becker. It has been accepted for inclusion in Posters by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Becker. For more information, please contact engeszer@wustl.edu.Recommended CitationNattala, Prasanthi; Leung, Kit Sang; Abdallah, Arbi Ben; and Cottler, Linda B., "Characteristics and correlates of simultaneoussedative-alcohol use among alcohol and non-medical sedative users" (2010). Posters. Paper 39 Samuel B. Guze Symposium onAlcoholism.http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/guzeposter2010/39Objective: This study examined the characteristics and correlates ofpast 12-month simultaneous sedative-alcohol use (SSAU) in acommunity sample (N=167) reporting non-medical use of sedatives.Sample: For the present analysis, 167 participants who reported non-medical sedative use for more than 5 days in the past 12 months, anduse of alcohol in the past 12 months, were included.Findings: SSAU was more prevalent among 18 to 25 year olds (75%),than 26-49 (63%), and 50-65 year age groups (52%); and among men,relative to women (74% versus 51%). SSAU was also higher among thosereporting past 12-month cannabis use (versus no cannabis use) (73%versus 51%), and cocaine use (versus no cocaine use) (79% versus 52%).Furthermore, participants who reported sedative use for motives such as‘to get high, experiment, change mood, relieve stress, party, and ‘justbecause,’ were more likely to report past 12-month SSAU (chisquare;p<0.05) than their counterparts. Multivariate logistic regressionanalyses indicated that being male (adjusted OR=2.21, 95% CI=1.06-4.60), Caucasian (adjusted OR=2.37, 95% CI=1.09-5.18), having ahistory of past 12-month cocaine use (adjusted OR=2.27, 95% CI=1.01-5.06), and reporting higher number of motives for sedative use(adjusted OR=4.13, 95% CI=1.71-9.97), were significantly associatedwith past 12-month SSAU.Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for considering differentialrisk factors in tailoring preventive interventions for reducing SSAUamong sedative non-medical users.Data were collected as part of the ongoing NIDA-funded PrescriptionDrug Misuse, Abuse, and Dependence study in St. Louis.Eligibility criteria: Non-medical sedative use for more than 5 days inthe past 12 months, and use of alcohol in the past 12 months.Measures: All information for the present analysis was obtained fromthe Washington University Risk Behavior Assessment (WU-RBA).Non-medical sedative use: Use of muscle relaxants, sleeping pills, orother sedatives in the last 365 days, (a) in ways other than prescribed, (b)when not prescribed.SSAU: Use of sedatives and alcohol together, in the last 12 months.Motives for sedative use in the past 12 months: Fifteen motives forsedative use were assessed using the WU-RBA (Table 1). Additionally,responses on these items (Yes/No) were summed to create a MotivesIndex (scores 0-15), representing the number of motives endorsed by theparticipants. Higher scores on Motives Index indicate more motives forsedative use in the past 12 months.Mean age (N=167) was 37 years (SD=13), 58% was male, 49% Caucasian, and 73% had <high-school education. Past 12-month cannabis use was reported by 63%, cocaine use by47%, and heroin/opium use by 26%. Past 12-month SSAU was reported by 65 percent.For majority (80%), benzodiazepines were the preferred sedative of choice. Amongbenzodiazepine users, alprazolam was the most frequently reported (62%). Past 12-month SSAU appeared to be more prevalent among younger adults, men, and amongthose reporting past 12-month cannabis and cocaine use. Furthermore, participants who reportedsedative use for motives such as to get high, experiment, to change mood/be happy, relieve stress,to party, and ‘just because,’ were more likely to report past 12-month SSAU. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that being male, Caucasian, reporting past12-month cocaine use, and having higher number of motives for sedative use, were significantlyassociated with past 12-month SSAU. Findings underscore the need for considering differential risk factors in tailoring preventiveinterventions for reducing SSAU among sedative non-medical users. They also highlight the needfor raising awareness about the risks involved when sedatives are used for non-medical purposes,which increases the possibility of drug interactions, and to consider such factors as age, gender,illicit drug use, and motives, when providing this advice.MATERIALS AND METHODSDEMOGRAPHIC DATACONCLUSIONSAcknowledgementsNIDA (Grant # R01DA020791; LB Cottler, PI); Fogarty International Training Grant (#TW05811-08; LB Cottler, PI)prasanthin@epi.wustl.eduCHARACTERISTICS AND CORRELATES OF SIMULTANEOUS SEDATIVE-ALCOHOL USE AMONG  ALCOHOL AND NON-MEDICAL SEDATIVE USERSPRASANTHI NATTALA, KIT SANG LEUNG, ARBI BEN ABDALLAH, LINDA B. COTTLEREpidemiology and Prevention Research GroupDepartment of Psychiatry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63108Unadjusted OR Adjusted OROR 95% CI aOR 95% CIAgea 1.36 1.06 - 1.76 0.76 0.56 – 1.04Male 2.72 1.41 - 5.22 2.21 1.06 – 4.60Caucasianb 2.34 1.22 – 4.52 2.37 1.09 – 5.18Past 12-monthcannabis use2.56 1.32 - 4.96 1.42 0.64 – 3.12Past 12-month cocaine use3.62 1.81 - 7.21 2.27 1.01 – 5.06Motives Indexa 4.60 2.09 - 10.14 4.13 1.71 – 9.97aContinuous variables; for Motives Index, aOR indicates significant increase in risk when the number ofmotives increase by 5;bNon-Caucasian as referent group; OR: Odds Ratio; aOR: adjusted Odds Ratio; 95% CI: 95% Confidence IntervalRESULTSTable 1. Sedative Non-medical Users who reported, vs. did not report,  Past 12-month SSAU, by Selected Variables (N=167)SSAU (n=108) No SSAU (n=59) p-valueAge18-25 years 39 % 24 %26-49 years 42 % 44 % 0.02*50-65 years 19 % 32 %GenderMale 67 % 42 % 0.002*Female 33 % 58 %EducationLess than high-school 75 % 69 % 0.44Above high school 25 % 31 %EthnicityCaucasian 56 % 36 % 0.009*Non-Caucasian 44 % 64 %Past 12-month illicit drug useCannabis 71 % 49 % 0.004*Cocaine 57 % 27 % <0.0002*Heroin 27 % 25 % 0.84Motives for sedative useTo get high 71  % 42 % 0.0003*To experiment 36 % 19 % 0.02*Peer pressure 5 % 7 % 0.56To function 37 % 44 % 0.39Alter other prescription drugs effects31 % 24 % 0.33To change mood / be happy 75 % 42 % <0.0001*To stay awake 7 % 5 % 0.55To study / concentrate 8 % 7 % 0.70To increase energy 12 % 14 % 0.79To relieve stress 91 % 80 % 0.04*For pain 33 % 20 % 0.09*Statistically significant; p≤0.05 (Chi-square/Fisher/t-test)†Number of motives endorsed; mean Motives Index score: 5.36 (SD 2.46)Table 2. Univariate & Multivariate Logistic Regression Predicting Past 12-month SSAU(n=167)Table 1.. continuedSSAU (n=108) No SSAU (n=59) p-valueTo sleep 73 % 69 % 0.64Just because 65 % 39 % 0.001*To party 49 % 20 % 0.0003*To lose weight 0 3 % 0.06Motives Index (mean, SD) 5.92 (2.22) 4.35 (2.55) 0.0001*ABSTRACT

Characteristics and correlates of simultaneous sedative-alcohol use among alcohol and non-medical sedative users

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Characteristics and correlates of simultaneous sedative-alcohol use among alcohol and non-medical sedative users

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