Examining the Utility of a General Substance Use Spectrum Using Latent Trait Modeling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Polysubstance use (PSU; lifetime use of multiple substances) is common among individuals with problematic alcohol/substance use and is associated with poor prognosis and poor physical/mental health. Furthermore, simultaneous co-use of substances, such that drug effects overlap, is also common and related to unique risks (e.g. overdose). Despite the importance of PSU, current diagnostic systems continue to conceptualize problems with alcohol/substances as class-specific constructs (e.g. Stimulant Use Disorder), which essentially ignore many unique PSU processes.

Methods

The current study modeled problems with alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, sedatives, opiates, and simultaneous co-use of these substances as a manifestation of a general substance use continuum versus

SUBMITTER: Bailey AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7293921 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature