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“Shotgunning” in a Population of Patients with Severe Mental Illness and Comorbid Substance Use Disorders
Author(s) -
Welsh Christopher,
Goldberg Richard,
Tapscott Stephanie,
Medoff Deborah,
Rosenberg Stanley,
Dixon Lisa
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2011.00201.x
Subject(s) - substance use , mental illness , respiratory illness , medicine , psychiatry , substance abuse , population , disease , clinical psychology , psychology , mental health , respiratory system , environmental health
“Shotgunning” refers to the practice of one individual forcibly exhaling smoke into the mouth of another, and may increase the risk of transmission of respiratory pathogens. The extent of shotgunning among individuals with co‐occurring serious mental illness and substance use is unknown. We included questions about shotgunning in an interview of 236 participants of a study testing a model to prevent and treat HIV and hepatitis. Shotgunning was common (61%[145/236]) and correlated with increased substance use severity and several high‐risk behaviors. Only 8% (11/145) understood that shotgunning could transmit disease. Further research and patient education on shotgunning is warranted. (Am J Addict 2012;21:120–125)