Multiple Comorbidities of Alcohol and Drug Use

Background: The research literature suggests a significant amount of co-morbidity between substance use and other mental health and behavioral problems. However, rarely is the extent of co-morbidity examined. It was the purpose of this study to examine the relationship between alcohol use, illicit drug use, sexual risk behaviors, pornography use and gambling among students at a conservative Christian college.

Methods: Data was collected via a self-administered questionnaire examining a wide variety of health risk behaviors, mental health status, substance use and protective factors. A total of about 800 questionnaires were completed. Correlation analysis was used to examine the co-morbidities and factor analysis will be used to examine the interrelationships.

Results: There is a statistically significant bi-variate relationship between substance use, and other risk behaviors. Specifically, there is a significant relationship between the use of amphetamines, cocaine, sedatives, alcohol, hallucinogens, and gambling, internet pornography use and sexual risk behaviors. Factor analysis suggests that these various risk behaviors are all interrelated. This implies that there may be an underlying factor that helps us understand engaging in these diverse risk behaviors.

Implications: The analyses suggest that researchers, educators and therapists addressing substance use may need to be much more aware of the extensive risk behavior co-morbidities of substance using populations. The data suggest that substance abuse treatment must not only address substance use problems but also incorporate treatment interventions for the extensive co-morbidities that may be evidenced.