Cheryl J Cherpitel1, Yu Ye2, Sarah E Zemore2, Jason Bond2, Guilherme Borges3. 1. Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville, CA 94608, United States. Electronic address: ccherpitel@arg.org. 2. Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville, CA 94608, United States. 3. National Institute of Psychiatry, Autonomous Metropolitan University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Little epidemiological evidence exists on alcohol or other substance use and related problems along the U.S.-Mexico border, although the border has been the focus of recent media attention related to the escalating drug/violence "epidemic". The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of variables related to crossing the border (cross-border mobility) with three substance use outcomes reported for the last year: 1) heavy drinking (5+ drinks per day for men or 4+ for women), 2) alcohol use disorder (AUD), and 3) co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (any use of illicit and/or non-medically prescribed drugs). METHODS: Household surveys were conducted, using area probability sampling of 1565 Mexican-American residents, aged 18-65, living at the Texas-Mexico border in the metropolitan areas of Laredo and McAllen/Brownsville. RESULTS: Among those 18-29, more frequent crossing of the border was significantly predictive of AUD (OR = 1.61, p < 0.01) and co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (OR = 1.70, p < 0.01). Staying more than one full day was predictive of AUD (OR = 3.07, p < 0.001) and crossing to obtain over-the-counter or prescription drugs ("drug tourism") or for nightlife/drinking were predictive of heavy drinking (ORs = 4.14, p < 0.001; 3.92, p < 0.01, respectively), AUD (ORs = 7.56, p < 0.001; 7.68, p < 0.01, respectively) and co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (ORs = 8.53, p < 0.01; 4.96, p < 0.01, respectively). Among those 30-65, staying more than a full day and crossing for pharmaceutical reasons were predictive of heavy drinking (OR = 2.54, p < 0.001; 2.61, p < 0.05, respectively) and co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (OR = 3.31, p < 0.001; 4.86, p < 0.01, respectively), while none of the mobility variables were predictive of AUD in this age group. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-border mobility may play an important role in substance use and problems, especially among those 18-29. Findings also highlight the importance of "drug tourism" in substance use across the age spectrum.
INTRODUCTION: Little epidemiological evidence exists on alcohol or other substance use and related problems along the U.S.-Mexico border, although the border has been the focus of recent media attention related to the escalating drug/violence "epidemic". The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of variables related to crossing the border (cross-border mobility) with three substance use outcomes reported for the last year: 1) heavy drinking (5+ drinks per day for men or 4+ for women), 2) alcohol use disorder (AUD), and 3) co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (any use of illicit and/or non-medically prescribed drugs). METHODS: Household surveys were conducted, using area probability sampling of 1565 Mexican-American residents, aged 18-65, living at the Texas-Mexico border in the metropolitan areas of Laredo and McAllen/Brownsville. RESULTS: Among those 18-29, more frequent crossing of the border was significantly predictive of AUD (OR = 1.61, p < 0.01) and co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (OR = 1.70, p < 0.01). Staying more than one full day was predictive of AUD (OR = 3.07, p < 0.001) and crossing to obtain over-the-counter or prescription drugs ("drug tourism") or for nightlife/drinking were predictive of heavy drinking (ORs = 4.14, p < 0.001; 3.92, p < 0.01, respectively), AUD (ORs = 7.56, p < 0.001; 7.68, p < 0.01, respectively) and co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (ORs = 8.53, p < 0.01; 4.96, p < 0.01, respectively). Among those 30-65, staying more than a full day and crossing for pharmaceutical reasons were predictive of heavy drinking (OR = 2.54, p < 0.001; 2.61, p < 0.05, respectively) and co-occurring heavy drinking and drug use (OR = 3.31, p < 0.001; 4.86, p < 0.01, respectively), while none of the mobility variables were predictive of AUD in this age group. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-border mobility may play an important role in substance use and problems, especially among those 18-29. Findings also highlight the importance of "drug tourism" in substance use across the age spectrum.
Authors: Cheryl J Cherpitel; Yu Ye; Jason Bond; Sarah E Zemore; Guilherme Borges; Thomas K Greenfield Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2015-01-19 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Deborah S Hasin; Charles P O'Brien; Marc Auriacombe; Guilherme Borges; Kathleen Bucholz; Alan Budney; Wilson M Compton; Thomas Crowley; Walter Ling; Nancy M Petry; Marc Schuckit; Bridget F Grant Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Raul Caetano; Patrice A C Vaeth; Paul J Gruenewald; William R Ponicki; Zoe Kaplan Journal: J Ethn Subst Abuse Date: 2021-12-08 Impact factor: 1.331