Nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users

The purpose of this study was to examine nonfatal overdose events experienced among a sample of recreational drug users. We sought to determine predictors of nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users. In addition, we examined the substance(s) used at the l...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Martin, G., Vallance, K., Macdonald, S., Stockwell, T., Ivsins, A., Chow, C., Michelow, W., Duff, Cameron
Format: Journal Article
Published: Informa Healthcare 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/13831
_version_ 1848748451536306176
author Martin, G.
Vallance, K.
Macdonald, S.
Stockwell, T.
Ivsins, A.
Chow, C.
Michelow, W.
Duff, Cameron
author_facet Martin, G.
Vallance, K.
Macdonald, S.
Stockwell, T.
Ivsins, A.
Chow, C.
Michelow, W.
Duff, Cameron
author_sort Martin, G.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The purpose of this study was to examine nonfatal overdose events experienced among a sample of recreational drug users. We sought to determine predictors of nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users. In addition, we examined the substance(s) used at the last overdose event. Methods: Participants were 637 recreational illicit drug users (had used illicit drugs other than marijuana, in a club or party setting), aged 19 or older, from Victoria or Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Data were obtained in structured interviews conducted from 2008 to 2012 as part of the Canadian Recreation Drug Use Survey (CRDUS). Results: In the 12 months prior to interview, 19.3% (n=123) of the participants had experienced an overdose. In multivariate analysis, younger age, unstable housing, and usually consuming eight or more drinks containing alcohol, when drinking, significantly increased overdose risk. In addition, polysubstance use was reported by 67.5% (n=83) participants at their last overdose event. Conclusions: Intervention and prevention measures seeking to reduce overdoses among recreational drug users should not only address illicit drug use but also alcohol and polysubstance use. In addition, measures may target those who usually consume high amounts of alcohol when drinking are younger and who experience housing instability.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T07:05:15Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-13831
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T07:05:15Z
publishDate 2014
publisher Informa Healthcare
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-138312017-09-13T15:01:41Z Nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users Martin, G. Vallance, K. Macdonald, S. Stockwell, T. Ivsins, A. Chow, C. Michelow, W. Duff, Cameron drug use overdose Alcohol misuse The purpose of this study was to examine nonfatal overdose events experienced among a sample of recreational drug users. We sought to determine predictors of nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users. In addition, we examined the substance(s) used at the last overdose event. Methods: Participants were 637 recreational illicit drug users (had used illicit drugs other than marijuana, in a club or party setting), aged 19 or older, from Victoria or Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Data were obtained in structured interviews conducted from 2008 to 2012 as part of the Canadian Recreation Drug Use Survey (CRDUS). Results: In the 12 months prior to interview, 19.3% (n=123) of the participants had experienced an overdose. In multivariate analysis, younger age, unstable housing, and usually consuming eight or more drinks containing alcohol, when drinking, significantly increased overdose risk. In addition, polysubstance use was reported by 67.5% (n=83) participants at their last overdose event. Conclusions: Intervention and prevention measures seeking to reduce overdoses among recreational drug users should not only address illicit drug use but also alcohol and polysubstance use. In addition, measures may target those who usually consume high amounts of alcohol when drinking are younger and who experience housing instability. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/13831 10.3109/14659891.2013.784369 Informa Healthcare restricted
spellingShingle drug use
overdose
Alcohol misuse
Martin, G.
Vallance, K.
Macdonald, S.
Stockwell, T.
Ivsins, A.
Chow, C.
Michelow, W.
Duff, Cameron
Nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users
title Nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users
title_full Nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users
title_fullStr Nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users
title_full_unstemmed Nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users
title_short Nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users
title_sort nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users
topic drug use
overdose
Alcohol misuse
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/13831