Clinical and behavioral correlates in adult methamphetamine users with childhood exposure to household drug and alcohol use

Abstract

Aims: To describe and compare methamphetamine (MA) users with and without a family history of alcohol or drug () use in the household. Design:  A total of 1144 Thai-speaking MA users in Thailand were recruited for a cohort study. Cross-sectional baseline data were analyzed according to their exposure to FAOD use (FAOD+/FAOD-). The Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism (SSADDA) was utilized to collect baseline socio-demographic information and variables known to be associated with the impact of FAOD use. Findings:  FAOD+ participants had lower average years of education (p<0.01), fewer average months of employment in the past year (p<0.01) and reported higher rates of self-harm experience (p<0.001), gambling (p=0.018) and antisocial personality disorder  (p=0.015). FAOD+ participants had more severe clinical, adverse consequences. FAOD+ significantly predicted episodes of lifetime MA use (R2 =0.004,  p=0.032), the largest number of drinks ever had in a 24-hour period (R2 =0.01, p=0.001), paranoid experiences ([OR]=1.090, p=0.004), alcohol dependence ([OR]=1.112, p=0.001) and antisocial personality disorder ([OR]=1.139, p=0.015). FAOD+ participants who were exposed to alcohol only were more likely to report a significantly higher number of drinks ever had in a 24-hour periods (p<0.005). Similarly, FAOD+ participants who were exposed to MA use only were significantly more likely to report more frequent use of MA (p<0.005). Conclusions:  FAOD+ participants were characterized by a generally more severe clinical presentation than FAOD- participants. Moreover, we show the specificity of drug type mattered, with family exposure of alcohol and MA associated with greater subsequent use of the respective drugs.