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Over the Bar: A Focus on Alcohol Use among Regular Ecstasy Consumers in Australia
Citation
Matthews, AJ and Bruno, RB and Nicholls, CB, Over the Bar: A Focus on Alcohol Use among Regular Ecstasy Consumers in Australia, The Australian Government, April 2013 (2013) [Contract Report]
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Abstract
ƒƒ Alcohol use was examined among Regular Ecstasy
Users (REU) interviewed as part of the Ecstasy and
Related Drug Reporting System (EDRS) in 2012
(n=607). Trends in alcohol use were examined over
time and compared to those aged 20-29 years in the
general population (AIHW, 2011).
ƒƒ Most of the national EDRS sample (96%) reported
using alcohol during the last six months, typically
drinking on 48 of the last 180 days (approximately 2
days per week).
ƒƒ The proportion of REU who reported drinking alcohol
at least weekly (but not daily) during the last six months
(76%) was substantially higher when compared to
similar age groups (20-29) in the general population
(44%). Similarly, the proportion of REU reporting daily
alcohol use was 6%, compared to 2.3% among those
aged 20-29 in the general population.
ƒƒ According to the current Australian guidelines
(NHMRC, 2009), drinking no more than two standard
drinks on any one day reduces the lifetime risk of
harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. Among
REU, 87% reported drinking more than two drinks in
a typical session. This was substantially greater than
a similar age group in the general population (27% of
20-29 year olds). Similarly, the proportion who drank
more than four standard drinks in a single session
(a level which increases the risk of alcohol related
injury) was considerably higher relative to the general
population.
ƒƒ In 2012, three-fifths (64%) of REU had consumed
more than 5 standard drinks in combination with
ecstasy on the last occasion. This rate has increased
since 2003. In addition, almost one in ten had
consumed more than 5 standard drinks when coming
down from ecstasy on the last occasion, and over onequarter
(27%) reported using more than 5 standard
drinks in a binge session of use (use of drugs for more
than 48 hours continuously without sleep) during the
last six months. Use of alcohol in combination with
psychostimulants has important health implications
due to the increased risk of harms, and masking of
the intoxicating effects of alcohol.
ƒƒ Using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test,
four in five of REU (83%) scored 8 or more - a level
at which alcohol intake may be considered hazardous
to health. More than one in four (28%) scored at a
level indicative of possible alcohol dependence.
The proportion of REU classified in this zone has
significantly increased since 2006.
Item Details
Item Type: | Contract Report |
---|---|
Keywords: | Ecstasy and Related Drug Reporting System |
Research Division: | Psychology |
Research Group: | Clinical and health psychology |
Research Field: | Health psychology |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Matthews, AJ (Dr Allison Matthews) |
UTAS Author: | Bruno, RB (Associate Professor Raimondo Bruno) |
UTAS Author: | Nicholls, CB (Ms Clare Nicholls) |
ID Code: | 85296 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Deposited By: | Psychology |
Deposited On: | 2013-06-26 |
Last Modified: | 2014-02-21 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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