Nicole D DiPiro1, James S Krause2. 1. College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. 2. College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Electronic address: krause@musc.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the patterns of nonprescription psychoactive substance (PAS) use among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and the relationships with demographic and injury characteristics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, self-report assessment (SRA). SETTING: A medical university in the southeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: The participants (N=4670) were identified through a specialty hospital and 2 state-based surveillance registries. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants completed SRAs and reported the past 3 months' use of the following substances for which they did not have a prescription: cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, inhalants, sedatives/hypnotics and sleeping pills, hallucinogens, and opioids. PAS use was grouped into 4 categories: none, cannabis use only, use of cannabis and other PAS, and use of other PAS only. RESULTS: Of the 4577 participants who responded to the PAS use questions, 24.1% reported using at least 1 PAS without a prescription. Cannabis was the most frequently reported substance (16.4%), followed by sedatives or sleeping pills (8.0%). By PAS use group, 12.1% reported use of cannabis use only, followed by use of other PAS only (7.7%) and use of cannabis and other PAS (4.3%). There were significant differences among the groups of use by nearly all personal characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The use of nonprescription PASs is prevalent among adults with chronic SCI, and there are clear differences in patterns and characteristics of use.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the patterns of nonprescription psychoactive substance (PAS) use among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and the relationships with demographic and injury characteristics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, self-report assessment (SRA). SETTING: A medical university in the southeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: The participants (N=4670) were identified through a specialty hospital and 2 state-based surveillance registries. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants completed SRAs and reported the past 3 months' use of the following substances for which they did not have a prescription: cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, inhalants, sedatives/hypnotics and sleeping pills, hallucinogens, and opioids. PAS use was grouped into 4 categories: none, cannabis use only, use of cannabis and other PAS, and use of other PAS only. RESULTS: Of the 4577 participants who responded to the PAS use questions, 24.1% reported using at least 1 PAS without a prescription. Cannabis was the most frequently reported substance (16.4%), followed by sedatives or sleeping pills (8.0%). By PAS use group, 12.1% reported use of cannabis use only, followed by use of other PAS only (7.7%) and use of cannabis and other PAS (4.3%). There were significant differences among the groups of use by nearly all personal characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The use of nonprescription PASs is prevalent among adults with chronic SCI, and there are clear differences in patterns and characteristics of use.
Authors: Denise G Tate; Martin B Forchheimer; James S Krause; Michelle A Meade; Charles H Bombardier Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2004-11 Impact factor: 3.966