While a substantial literature exists on the role of alcohol in injury occurrence, little is known about other substance use and injury, or drug use among those alcohol involved at the time of the emergency room (ER) visit. A probability sample of 1429 patients attending an ER in northern California was interviewed and asked questions pertaining to licit and illicit drug use and alcohol use within six hours prior to the event, and drug use within the last year. Injured patients were more likely than non-injured to report drug use during the last year, while those with violence-related injuries were more likely to report drug use during both the six hours prior to the event and the last year compared to those with other injuries. Whites were more likely than blacks or Hispanics to report drug use, although among Hispanics, those high on acculturation were as likely or more likely than whites to report use. Those reporting alcohol consumption in the six hours prior to the event or meeting diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence were significantly more likely than those not doing so, to report drug use both in the six hours prior to the event and in the last 12 months, and no significant differences in substance use across ethnic/acculturation subgroups were found among these patients. Data suggest that ethnic differences in substance use become less important among those alcohol-involved, and future research should focus on the interaction of alcohol and other substances with injury occurrence.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the learner will be able to identify factors associated with drug use in ER populations and describe ethnic differences in these factors.
Keywords: Alcohol, Drug Use
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.