Predictors of Alcohol and Drug Dependence

Abstract

Objective: Our study sought to identify sociodemographic, clinical, life perception, and service use characteristics that distinguish new cases of people dependent on substances from the general population; and to determine predictors of substance dependence over a 2-year period. Variables that differentiate people dependent on substances according to sex and age were also assessed. Methods:Among 2434 people who took part in an epidemiologic catchment area health survey at baseline, 2.2% were identified with substance dependence at the second measurement time only. Using a comprehensive framework, various aspects were considered as predictors for multivariate statistics.Results: Participants with substance dependence at time 2 only showed worse clinical conditions, life events, life and health perception, and neighbourhood characteristics than other participants, but only 2.5% used health care services. Male sex, younger age, stigmatization, and impulsiveness were predictors of substance dependence. Regarding sex, females with dependence were only more likely to suffer from social phobia than males. In terms of age categories, participants over 50 with substance dependence were more likely to have a lower household income and less social support than younger people. Conclusion:Stigmatization was the strongest predictor of substance dependence. Our study also confirmed that males and younger people were more likely to have substance dependence. Anti-stigmatization, prevention, and outreach programs are needed to overcome the reluctance of this clientele to use health care services. Health professionals should also pay more attention to life and health perception and neighbourhood characteristics of newly identified drug users. W W W Prédicteurs de la dépendance à l'alcool et aux droguesObjectif : Notre étude cherchait à identifier les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, cliniques, et liées à la perception de la vie comme à l'utilisation des services qui distinguent les nouveaux cas de personnes dépendantes aux substances de la population générale; et à déterminer les prédicteurs de la dépendance aux substances sur une période de 2 ans. Les variables qui différencient les personnes dépendantes aux substances selon le sexe et l'âge ont aussi été évaluées.Méthodes : Chez 2434 personnes qui ont pris part à une enquête de santé épidémiologique d'un secteur hospitalier au départ, 2,2 % ont été identifiées comme ayant une dépendance aux substances au deuxième temps de mesure seulement. À l'aide d'un cadre détaillé, divers aspects ont été étudiés en tant que prédicteurs de statistiques multivariées.Résultats : Les participants ayant une dépendance aux substances au temps 2 seulement présentaient des conditions cliniques, des événements de vie, des perceptions de la vie

Sex Differences in Anxiety Disorders: A Review

“…In contrast, men meeting criteria for SAD were more likely to report dating-related fears, have comorbid externalizing disorders, and to also use alcohol and illicit drugs for symptom relief [90]. Although data from an epidemiologic catchment area health survey (n=2434) found that being male, younger, feeling stigmatized, and scoring higher on impulsiveness were predictors of substance dependence, it also revealed that females meeting criteria for substance dependence were more likely to have comorbid SAD than males with substance dependence [91]. In adolescent girls with SAD, however, drug use was noted to be less likely in a community sample [92].…”

Intergenerational Mobility and Changes in Drug Use Across the Life Course

“…Research has long posited a host of factors that are associated with drug use (Fleury, Grenier, Bamvita, Perreault, & Caron, 2014; Kirkcaldy, Sifen, Surall, & Bischoff, 2004). Experimenting with substances begins as early as adolescence (Conner, Hellemann, Ritchie, & Noble, 2010) as children seek thrill in risk-taking behavior (Arnett, 1992).…”

Frequency and Predictors of Alcohol-Related Outcomes Following Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Programs: A 12-Month Follow-Up Study

“…The majority of previous studies which examined predictors of posttreatment relapses in patients with alcohol dependence showed that relapse is a complex and dynamic event that appears to be determined by biological, psychological, and social factors, and an interaction among these [4,15,16]. Literature which focused on socio-demographic factors found that males of a lower age, with a low educational level, unemployment and low socio-economic level, seem to be negatively associated with alcohol-related outcomes [14,16,21,22,23]. Moreover, several studies found that clinical aspects such as dependence severity [13], amount of alcohol consumption [16], polysubstance abuse [4], and a comorbid medical condition [23] are relevant prognostic factors for relapse.…”