Cannabis use and other illicit drug use: do subjective experiences during first cannabis use increase the probability of using illicit drug?. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baggio, Stéphanie; Henchoz, Yves; Studer, Joseph; Deline, Stéphane; N'Goran, Alexandra; Mohler-Kuo, Meichun; Daeppen, Jean-Bernard; Gmel, Gerhard
• Is Part Of: Journal of substance use. Volume 20:Number 4(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 234
• Page End: 238
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medication abuse -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2014.896955
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-9891

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Background and aims</italic>: Few studies have examined whether subjective experiences during first cannabis use are related to other illicit drug (OID) use. This study investigated this topic.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: Baseline data from a representative sample of young Swiss men was obtained from an ongoing Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (<italic>N</italic> = 5753). Logistic regressions were performed to examine the relationships between cannabis use and of subjective experiences during first cannabis use with 15 OID.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Positive experiences increased the likelihood of using hallucinogens (hallucinogens, salvia divinorum, spice; <italic>p</italic> < 0.015), stimulants (speed, ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines/methamphetamines; <italic>p</italic> < 0.006) and also poppers, research chemicals, GHB/GBL, and crystal meth (<italic>p</italic> < 0.049). Sniffed drugs (poppers, solvents for sniffing) and "hard" drugs (heroin, ketamine, research chemicals, GHB/GBL and crystal meth) were more likely to be used by participants who experienced negative feelings on first use of cannabis (<italic>p</italic> < 0.034).</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic>: Subjective feelings seemed to amplify the association of cannabis with OID. The risk increased for drugs with effects resembling feelings experienced on first cannabis use. Negative experiences should also be a concern, as they were associated with increased risk of using the "hardest" illicit drugs.</p> </abstract>