Concurrent use of addictive substances among alcohol drinkers: Prevalence and problems in a Swedish general population sample

Abstract

Aims: To examine concurrent use of addictive substances among alcohol drinkers in the Swedish general population and to assess to what extent this increases the risk of alcohol problems. Methods: Data were retrieved from a nationally representative survey from 2013 on use of and problems related to alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs and non-prescribed use of analgesics and sedatives with 15,576 respondents. Alcohol users were divided into different groups on the basis of frequency of drinking overall and binge drinking. Tobacco use was measured in terms of daily use and use of illicit drugs and non-prescribed use of analgesics and sedatives were measured in terms of last 12 months prevalence. A dichotomous indicator of a DSM-IV dependence or abuse diagnosis was used. Logistic regression models were estimated to examine the relationship between various patterns of drinking in combination with other substance use and risk of alcohol abuse and/or dependence. Results: People who drink alcohol in Sweden were more likely to use other addictive substances than non-drinkers and such concurrent use becomes more common the more alcohol is consumed. Alcohol drinkers using other substances have a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence at all frequencies of drinking. Multivariate models controlling for sex, age and drinking frequency found that an elevated risk of harm remained for drinkers using addictive substances other than snuff. Conclusion: A large group of drinkers in the Swedish general population have an accumulation of risks as a result of using both alcohol and other addictive substances. Concurrent use of cigarettes, illicit drugs and non-prescribed use of analgesics and sedatives adds an independent risk of alcohol abuse/dependence in this group in addition to their drinking. The findings point at the importance of taking multiple substance-use patterns into account when combating drinking problems. Screening for concurrent use of other addictive substances could help healthcare providers to identify patients in need of treatment for alcohol problems.