Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107517

Alexander S. Edwards, BA, Grace L. Reynolds, DPA, Dennis G. Fisher, PhD, Adi Jaffe, BA, and William C. Pedersen, PhD. Center for Behavioral Research & Services, California State University, Long Beach, 1090 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813, 562-495-2330, aedward4@csulb.edu

Objectives: To explore the association between alcohol dependence and illicit drug use in indigent and homeless out-of-treatment drug users. Methods: 492 participants in an HIV prevention program in Long Beach, CA completed the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS), the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA), the Aggression Questionnaire, the Dissipation-Rumination Questionnaire, and the Vengefulness Scale. Higher ADS scores reflect higher levels of alcohol dependence. Results: Men had significantly higher total ADS scores (M = 9.06, SD = 9.07) compared to women (M = 7.6, SD = 5.89, t (378) = -1.91, p = .05). Participants who reported ever injecting drugs also had higher ADS scores (M = 11.36, SD = 11.28) compared to those who never injected drugs (M = 7.21, SD = 7.43, t = -4.45, < .0001). Those who reported ever trading sex for drugs had higher mean ADS scores (M= 10.68, SD = 9.84) compared to those who reported never trading sex for drugs (M = 7.77, SD = 8.5, t = -3.27, p = .0012). Total ADS score was also significantly correlated with the number of days in the last month used cocaine (r = .13, p = .0054), aggression score (r = .17, p = .0001), and dissipation-rumination score (r = .19, p < .0001). Conclusion: Alcohol dependence is associated with drug injection and use of powdered cocaine. This population is also high on aggression and rumination related to aggression. Drug treatment programs should take into account co-occurring alcohol dependence.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

• To understand associations between illicit drug use and alcohol dependence; and
• To understand the relationship between alcohol dependence and psychological traits such as aggression and rumination in illicit drug users.

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Drug Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.