Functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine

Objectives: Alcohol is among the most common psychoactive substances to be co-administered with a variety of other drugs. It is frequently used simultaneously (i.e. on the same occasion) with cocaine. The objectives of this qualitative investigation are (1) to explore the functions and motivational...

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Main Authors: Brache, K., Stockwell, Tim, MacDonald, S.
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/48295
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author Brache, K.
Stockwell, Tim
MacDonald, S.
author_facet Brache, K.
Stockwell, Tim
MacDonald, S.
author_sort Brache, K.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Objectives: Alcohol is among the most common psychoactive substances to be co-administered with a variety of other drugs. It is frequently used simultaneously (i.e. on the same occasion) with cocaine. The objectives of this qualitative investigation are (1) to explore the functions and motivational factors underlying the simultaneous use of alcohol and cocaine, and (2) to explore the associated consequences. Methods: In-depth open-ended interviews with simultaneous alcohol and cocaine users were conducted at a residential treatment centre in Ontario, Canada (n = 10). The interview transcripts were coded by two independent coders. A thorough content analysis of the transcripts was performed in order to identify themes. Findings: Respondents used cocaine and alcohol simultaneously to control cravings; to alter their state of consciousness; to manage their emotions; to enhance sexual, physical and social functioning; and to minimise financial costs. Negative consequences experienced from simultaneous use include psychological, physical, social and financial harms. These findings have been used to develop potential hypotheses for testing in future studies.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-482952017-09-13T14:22:50Z Functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine Brache, K. Stockwell, Tim MacDonald, S. Objectives: Alcohol is among the most common psychoactive substances to be co-administered with a variety of other drugs. It is frequently used simultaneously (i.e. on the same occasion) with cocaine. The objectives of this qualitative investigation are (1) to explore the functions and motivational factors underlying the simultaneous use of alcohol and cocaine, and (2) to explore the associated consequences. Methods: In-depth open-ended interviews with simultaneous alcohol and cocaine users were conducted at a residential treatment centre in Ontario, Canada (n = 10). The interview transcripts were coded by two independent coders. A thorough content analysis of the transcripts was performed in order to identify themes. Findings: Respondents used cocaine and alcohol simultaneously to control cravings; to alter their state of consciousness; to manage their emotions; to enhance sexual, physical and social functioning; and to minimise financial costs. Negative consequences experienced from simultaneous use include psychological, physical, social and financial harms. These findings have been used to develop potential hypotheses for testing in future studies. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/48295 10.3109/14659891.2011.583313 restricted
spellingShingle Brache, K.
Stockwell, Tim
MacDonald, S.
Functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine
title Functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine
title_full Functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine
title_fullStr Functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine
title_full_unstemmed Functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine
title_short Functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine
title_sort functions and harms associated with simultaneous polysubstance use involving alcohol and cocaine
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/48295