Nonmedical prescription pain reliever and alcohol consumption among cannabis users

Abstract

Background This study examined poly-drug use involving the use of cannabis with nonmedical prescription pain reliever use (NMPR) and alcohol use. Methods Computer-assisted survey data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health were examined. The NSDUH is an annual, cross-sectional survey of non-institutionalized citizens in the United States (ages 12+). Replicate analyses were conducted using the 2013 and 2003 survey waves. Results Higher levels of cannabis use were consistently associated with more frequent consumption of prescription pain relievers, with findings replicating in both 2013 and 2003. While the prevalence of dual users declined from 2003 (2.5%) to 2013 (2.3%), the average number of days used among dual users increased by an average of 20 days over that period. These changes largely occurred among those aged 35 or older, males, whites, and non-illicit drug users. Past-year marijuana use increased by 16% (10.8–12.6%, p-value < .001) whereas NMPR decreased by 15% (4.9–4.2%, p-value < .001). The largest changes occurred after 2011. Persons using the most cannabis generally had higher levels of alcohol use relative to those using the least amount of cannabis. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of dual use between 2003 (10.2%) and 2013 (11.6%), while the prevalence of past-year alcohol use remained relatively stable. Conclusions Clinical efforts and public health interventions should consider the possible co-ingestion of cannabis with NMPR and alcohol, as concomitant use may portend negative health effects in the short and long-term.

Alcohol and Pain: A Translational Review of Preclinical and Clinical Findings to Inform Future Treatment Strategies

“…Targeting the nexus of pain and alcohol use, as well as aberrant opioid use among patients prescribed opioid therapy (Landsman‐Blumberg et al, ; Witkiewitz and Vowles, ), may be critical to improve treatment outcomes among individuals impacted by pain and AUD. Comorbidity is particularly concerning and important to target given that alcohol is commonly taken along with opioids and other substances among individuals experiencing chronic pain (Landsman‐Blumberg et al, ; Larance et al, ; Novak et al, ; Vowles et al, ). Combined use of alcohol, opioids, and sedatives is particularly worrisome (Kelley et al, ; McCabe et al, ; Schepis et al, ; Votaw et al, ) given the increased risk for overdose from using these drugs in combination (Gudin et al, ; Jones et al, ).…”

Co-use of Alcohol and Cannabis: A Review

“…For example, individuals using higher levels of cannabis reported higher levels of alcohol relative to those using lower amounts of cannabis. Among college-aged drinkers, lifetime and past year use of cannabis increased as level of alcohol consumption increased [24,25].…”

“I love having benzos after my coke shot”: The use of psychotropic medication among cocaine users in downtown Montreal

“…Only recently have researchers started examining factors and processes underlying patterns of prescription drug misuse among people who use drugs (Ali, Dowd, Classen, Mutter & Novak, 2017;Fatséas, Lavie, Denis & Auriacombe, 2009;Firestone & Fischer, 2008;Inciardi, Surratt, Kurtz, & Cicero, 2007;Kecojevic et al, 2015;Lankenau et al, 2007Lankenau et al, , 2012bMcCabe, Cranford, Boyd, & Teter, 2007;McCabe et al, 2012McCabe et al, , 2013Novak, Peiper, & Zarkin, 2016;Ojha et al, 2014;Rigg & Ibanez, 2010;Roy et al, 2011;Silva, Kecojevic & Lankenau, S. E. 2013).…”