Trends and correlates of driving under the influence of alcohol among different types of adult substance users in the United States: a national survey study

Abstract

Background Despite a decrease in driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA) prevalence over the past decades, DUIA prevalence still remains high in the United States. To date, there is limited research examining whether different types of substance users have different trends in DUIA. This study sought to assess trends and variables associated with DUIA by substance use type. Methods National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is a cross-sectional, nationally representative population-based survey. By using the NSDUH 2008–2014, we performed the Joinpoint analysis to identify time trends of DUIA in each group of substance users (aged ≥18 years). Logistic regression analysis was used to explore association between substance use type and DUIA and to identify variables associated with DUIA. Results Adults who reported alcohol or drug use in the past year were classified into different groups based on past-year substance use status: alcohol use only ( n = 141,521) and drug use regardless alcohol use. Drug users included prescription opioids only ( n = 5337), marijuana only ( n = 32,206), other single drug ( n = 3789), prescription opioids-marijuana ( n = 3921), multiple prescription drugs ( n = 1267), and other multiple drugs ( n = 18,432). The Joinpoint analysis showed that DUIA prevalence decreased significantly from 2008 to 2014 among alcohol only users (Average Annual Percent Change [AAPC] = − 2.8), prescription opioids only users (AAPC = -5.4), marijuana only users (AAPC = -5.0), prescription opioids-marijuana users (AAPC = -6.5), multiple prescription drug users (AAPC = -7.4), and other multiple drug users (AAPC = -3.2). Although the estimate was not statistically significant, other single drug users showed a decreasing trend (AAPC = -0.9). Substance use type was significantly associated with DUIA in the adjusted logistic regression. All drug use groups, relative to the alcohol only group, had elevated odds of DUIA, and the odds were especially elevated for the multiple drug use groups (prescription opioids-marijuana, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.71; multiple prescription drugs, AOR = 2.83; and other multiple drugs, AOR = 3.68). Additionally, younger age, male sex, being white, higher income, and alcohol abuse/dependence were positively associated with DUIA. Conclusions DUIA prevalence decreased over time and the magnitude of this reduction differed by substance use type. DUIA interventions need to be tailored to substance use type and individual characteristics.

Simultaneous Alcohol/Cannabis Use and Driving Under the Influence in the U.S.

“…DUI-A, and DUI-C) and with DUI-C (compared with no DUI) after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and frequency of alcohol and cannabis use. Findings are in accordance with those of previous research showing the association of simultaneous alcohol/cannabis use with DUI (when compared with concurrent use,26 alcohol use only,28 and fatal crashes 2 ). This study adds to the literature reporting more recent nationally representative data from the U.S. (2016−2019) and compares various types of DUI categories.…”

Modeling the System of Beliefs That Affect Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis and Alcohol in Washington State

“…For example, Grondel et al (2018) have suggested the decision to DUICA may be related to beliefs that cannabis can improve driving ability and, therefore, compensate for the impairment effects of alcohol. Indeed, this belief that cannabis use may compensate for alcohol impairment may explain recent evidence that DUICA is more common among cannabis users than noncannabis users (Park & Wu, 2019). Similarly, this explanation is consistent with evidence that drivers testing positive for alcohol are more likely to test positive for other drugs (Lacey et al, 2005).…”

Synchronous Online Cognitive-Behavioral Group Intervention: 12-month Evaluation for Substance Use Mandated Clients

“…Adults with a lifetime CUD were 2.4 times more likely to have lifetime drug-related legal problems. The tendency for alcohol use to intersect the legal system is empirically supported via U.S. research showing that using alcohol (exclusively) had a prevalence rate of 11.71% for driving under the influence (Park & Wu, 2019). Likewise, the educational, occupational, and accident-oriented functional consequences of CUD are arguably the traits or symptoms most likely to catalyze justice-involved or other mandates for treatment.…”