Study finds relationship between binge drinking and other substance use, especially in teens.

In a new study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine looked at the relationship between binge drinking and other substance use.  This study should be a caution to parents of teens.

The study’s scope was “The use of multiple substances heightens the risk of overdose. Multiple substances, including alcohol, are commonly found among people who experience overdose-related mortality. However, the associations between alcohol use and the use of a range of other substances are often not assessed. Therefore, this study examines the associations between drinking patterns (e.g., binge drinking) and other substance use in the U.S.”  They researched over 169,000 participants about their substance use in the last 30 days. They then broke them into three groups based on their alcohol usage; nondrinkers, occasional drinkers (more then 1 drink but less than 5 on 30 days) and binge drinkers (more than 1 but less than 5 on one occasion). They then looked at concurrent substance use (marijuana and/or illicit drugs).

They broke the data into 12-17 year olds, 18-25, 26-34, 35-49 and over 50.  Unfortunately, 53.2% of the 12-17 year olds who binge drink also use other substances. Of this and all groups marijuana was by far the most common, followed by other stimulants (including methamphetamine, ecstasy, or cocaine or crack). 

The study concludes that “that binge drinking is associated with the use of a range of other substances as well as prescription drug misuse while drinking alcohol.”  They recommend specific educational prevention programs be targeted to the age groupings.

Our aim with Gobi is to help teens interrupt the cycle of substance use and give them the chance to make healthier choices.