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Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students

Sean P. Barrett, Christine Darredeau, Robert O. Pihl

Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental June 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1002/hup.766 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 149
Population Drug-using university students
Topics Cannabis MDMA Psilocybin
Keywords Polysubstance dependence Context archaeology Amphetamine Drug Methylphenidate Pharmacology Alcohol Hallucinogen Substance abuse Dopamine
Citations 276
Key findings Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are frequently co-administered with each other and with other substances, and the pattern of use (order, quantity) depends on the combination of substances.

Abstract

Abstract Simultaneous polysubstance use (SPU) is a common phenomenon, yet little is known about how various substances are used with one another. In the present study 149 drug‐using university students completed structured interviews about their use of various substances. For each substance ever used, participants provided details about the type, order and amount of all substances co‐administered during its most recent administration. Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis were frequently co‐administered with each other and with all other substances. Chi‐squared tests revealed that when alcohol was used in combination with any of cannabis, psilocybin, MDMA, cocaine, amphetamine, methylphenidate ( p s < 0.01) or LSD ( p < 0.05) its initial use preceded the administration of the other substance. Paired samples t‐tests revealed that when alcohol was used with cocaine ( p < 0.01) or methylphenidate ( p < 0.05) it was ingested in greater quantities than when used in their absence. Patterns of cannabis use were not systematically related to other substances administered. Finally, using one‐sample t‐tests, tobacco use was demonstrated to be increased relative to ‘sober’ smoking rates when used with alcohol, cannabis, psilocybin, MDMA, cocaine, amphetamine ( p s < 0.001), LSD ( p < 0.01) or methylphenidate ( p < 0.05). Results suggest that many substances are routinely used in a SPU context and that the pattern in which a substance is used may be related to other substances co‐administered. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... 2011 Observational cross-sectional study n = 148
Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents 2020 Cross-sectional survey
User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire 2010 Cross-sectional survey n = 600
Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... 2012 Cross-sectional survey n = 337
Ecstasy and Drug Consumption Patterns: A Canadian Rave Population Study Rave attendees in Montreal, Quebec 2002 Cross-sectional survey n = 210

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