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Marijuana Use and Prior Injury among Injured Problem Drinkers
Author(s) -
Woolard Robert,
Nirenberg Ted D.,
Becker Bruce,
Longabaugh Richard,
Minugh P. Allison,
Gogineni Aruna,
Carty Kathleen,
Clifford Patrick R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
academic emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.221
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1553-2712
pISSN - 1069-6563
DOI - 10.1197/aemj.10.1.43
Subject(s) - medicine , alcohol use disorders identification test , emergency department , injury prevention , poison control , occupational safety and health , suicide prevention , blood alcohol , human factors and ergonomics , driving under the influence , emergency medicine , psychiatry , pathology
Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to better understand marijuana use among injured problem drinkers in the emergency department (ED). The specific objectives are: 1) to assess the prevalence of marijuana use; 2) to identify factors associated with marijuana use; 3) to determine whether prior injury is associated with marijuana use; and 4) to determine whether marijuana‐using problem drinkers want to change behaviors. Methods: The authors conducted a post‐hoc analysis on data obtained prospectively. Subjects had injury and problem drinking: either measurable alcohol level (blood alcohol concentration, BAC), report of drinking, or an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of ≥8. The study was conducted on weekend nights; 3,776 injured ED patients were screened, 383 refused, 578 were enrolled, and 433 had complete data. Results: Of the 433 subjects, 48.3% reported using marijuana in the three months prior. Marijuana‐using problem drinkers had more hazardous drinking, higher AUDIT scores (14.0 vs. 11.4, p < 0.001), and higher risk‐taking scores (12.4 vs. 10.1, p < 0.001). More used other drugs (69.7% vs. 30.3%, p < 0.001). In regression analyses, marijuana use remained an independent predictor of prior injury (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.25 to 3.75), particularly prior alcohol‐related (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.45 to 3.53) and motor‐vehicle‐related (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.79) injury. Readiness‐to‐change scores were similar (4.14 vs. 4.22, p = 0.21) between users and nonusers. Conclusions: Marijuana use among injured problem drinkers is prevalent. Their risk of prior injury is increased. Counseling for alcohol and injury should address marijuana use.