Next Article in Journal
Spatial and Temporal Evolutionary Characteristics and Its Influencing Factors of Economic Spatial Polarization in the Yangtze River Delta Region
Next Article in Special Issue
Exploring Definitions of “Addiction” in Adolescents and Young Adults and Correlation with Substance Use Behaviors
Previous Article in Journal
Roles of Indulgence versus Restraint Culture and Ability to Savor the Moment in the Link between Income and Subjective Well-Being
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
IJERPH
Volume 19
Issue 12
10.3390/ijerph19126996
ijerph-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Substance Use, Health, and Adverse Life Events amongst Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Users in North East England: A Cross-Sectional Study

by
Emma Audrey Adams
1,
Liam Spencer
1,
Michelle Addison
2,
William McGovern
3,
Hayley Alderson
1,
Mark Adley
1,
Ruth McGovern
1,
Eilish Gilvarry
1,
Eileen Kaner
1 and
Amy O’Donnell
1,*
1
Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4ES, UK
2
Department of Sociology, Durham University, Durham DH1 3HN, UK
3
Department of Social Work, Education and Community Studies, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 6996; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19126996
Submission received: 6 May 2022 / Revised: 27 May 2022 / Accepted: 3 June 2022 / Published: 7 June 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychology of Addictive Behaviors)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are the second most commonly used class of illicit drugs globally, yet there is limited understanding of which factors contribute to different pathways of ATS use. We sought to compare current, former, and exposed non-ATS users’ substance use, mental/physical health, and adverse life experiences. A cross-sectional survey, using computer-assisted personal interview software, was conducted between June 2018 and March 2019 in North East England. Quota-based sampling was used to recruit 389 individuals (aged 18 to 68; 52.6% male): 137 current ATS users; 174 former users; and 78 exposed non-users. Standardized screening questionnaires captured current/prior substance use. Participants self-reported diagnoses of selected physical and mental health disorders and specific adverse life experiences. Analysis used descriptive statistics and comparative tests (including chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U). Early exposure to illicit substances, challenging mental health, and certain adverse life experiences (such as growing up in statutory care) were more common in individuals currently using ATS compared to those who had never used or stopped using stimulants. Multi-level interventions are needed that address the mental health, social, and economic needs of people with dependent drug use. These could include targeted efforts to support children growing up under care, integrated mental health and substance use support, and joined-up substance use interventions reflective of wider structural factors.
Keywords: cross-sectional survey; amphetamine; drug misuse cross-sectional survey; amphetamine; drug misuse

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Adams, E.A.; Spencer, L.; Addison, M.; McGovern, W.; Alderson, H.; Adley, M.; McGovern, R.; Gilvarry, E.; Kaner, E.; O’Donnell, A. Substance Use, Health, and Adverse Life Events amongst Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Users in North East England: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 6996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19126996

AMA Style

Adams EA, Spencer L, Addison M, McGovern W, Alderson H, Adley M, McGovern R, Gilvarry E, Kaner E, O’Donnell A. Substance Use, Health, and Adverse Life Events amongst Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Users in North East England: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(12):6996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19126996

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adams, Emma Audrey, Liam Spencer, Michelle Addison, William McGovern, Hayley Alderson, Mark Adley, Ruth McGovern, Eilish Gilvarry, Eileen Kaner, and Amy O’Donnell. 2022. "Substance Use, Health, and Adverse Life Events amongst Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Users in North East England: A Cross-Sectional Study" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 12: 6996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19126996

APA Style

Adams, E. A., Spencer, L., Addison, M., McGovern, W., Alderson, H., Adley, M., McGovern, R., Gilvarry, E., Kaner, E., & O’Donnell, A. (2022). Substance Use, Health, and Adverse Life Events amongst Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Users in North East England: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), 6996. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19126996

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop