Nonmedical Prescription Pain Reliever & Alcohol Consumption among Cannabis Users
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.
- 1RTI International, Research Triangle Park, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, NC 27709, United States. Electronic address: snovak@rti.org.
- 2RTI International, Research Triangle Park, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, NC 27709, United States. Electronic address: npeiper@rti.org.
- 3RTI International, Research Triangle Park, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, NC 27709, United States. Electronic address: gaz@rti.org.
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