Drug and alcohol dependence
-
Drug Alcohol Depend · Jul 2015
Trends and characteristics of heroin overdoses in Wisconsin, 2003-2012.
Heroin abuse has increased substantially during the past decade in the United States. This study describes trends and demographic shifts of heroin overdoses and heroin-related fatalities in Wisconsin and contrasts these with prescription opioid overdoses. ⋯ An epidemic of heroin abuse is characterized by demographic shifts toward whites and rural residents. Rates of heroin overdose in younger persons now exceed rates of prescription opioid overdose.
-
Drug Alcohol Depend · Jul 2015
A reexamination of medical marijuana policies in relation to suicide risk.
Previous research has suggested that medical marijuana policies lead to reductions in suicide rates. In this study, we further investigate the association between these policies and within-state changes in suicide risk. ⋯ We find no statistically significant association between medical marijuana policy and suicide risk. These results contradict prior analyses which did not control for race/ethnicity and certain state characteristics such as tobacco control policies. Failure to control for these factors in future analyses would likely bias estimates of the associations between medical marijuana policy and health outcomes.
-
Drug Alcohol Depend · Jul 2015
Opioid abuse and depression in adolescents: Results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
To investigate the association of major depressive episode (MDE) with nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and opioid abuse/dependence among adolescents aged 12 to 17. ⋯ MDE occurs commonly in adolescents and is associated with NMPOU and opioid abuse/dependence. In terms of population attributable risk, which is a function of both the prevalence and the strength of the association, MDE is an important risk factor for NMPOU among adolescents and opioid abuse/dependence among adolescents with NMPOU. Preventive and clinical programs to decrease NMPOU and opioid abuse/dependence among adolescents should consider the prominent role of depression.