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Longitudinal patterns of alcohol use by narcotics addicts
Y I Hser1, M D Anglin, K Powers
1Neuropsychiatric Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
Recent Developments in Alcoholism : an Official Publication of the American Medical Society on Alcoholism, the Research Society on Alcoholism, and the National Council on Alcoholism
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Narcotics addicts frequently use alcohol alongside other substances. Alcohol use decreased with addiction onset but increased when narcotics use declined, highlighting a unique pattern in addiction careers.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Substance use disorders
- Public health
Background:
- High prevalence of alcohol use among narcotics addicts.
- Concurrent use of marijuana and non-narcotic drugs is common.
- Understanding longitudinal substance use patterns is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine longitudinal alcohol use patterns in individuals with narcotics addiction.
- To investigate the relationship between alcohol use and narcotics use over time.
- To explore factors influencing co-occurring alcohol and narcotics use.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design.
- Inclusion of participants from drug-free and methadone maintenance treatment programs.
- Analysis of alcohol, narcotics, and other substance use over addiction careers.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of alcohol use across addiction stages.
- Alcohol use decreased with addiction onset but increased when narcotics use declined.
- Early heavy alcohol use, particularly among Chicanos with parental alcohol problems, was noted.
- Women addicts showed lower alcohol consumption than men.
- Alcohol-related deaths constituted 17.5% of total mortality.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol use presents a significant comorbidity in narcotics addiction.
- Unique inverse relationship observed between alcohol and narcotics use.
- Treatment strategies must address co-occurring alcohol use disorders in addicts.