Pub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-10-15DOI: 10.1177/14550725241278089
Adriana Lavinia Bulumac
Aim: The aim of this study was to identify and elucidate the differences between highly affiliated and low/non-affiliated participants in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. Methods: A qualitative study of 24 participants was conducted in Romania between March and June 2021. Data were collected by means of in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to obtain a comprehensive synthesis of the data collected. Findings: Highly affiliated individuals are those who identify themselves as AA members, are sober, have worked the 12 Steps, are satisfied with their lives, experience a state of well-being, accept the Higher Power, have hit the bottom, have a strong desire for abstinence, attend AA meetings on a regular basis, and are committed to both AA and their sobriety. Conclusion: Although there are common themes among both highly and low/non-affiliated individuals, the results suggest that addiction specialists should pay more attention to organisational commitment, spirituality, well-being and addiction-related concepts as it seems some of them may determine successful AA affiliation, while others may reflect on recovery outcomes. These findings could prove useful to motivate individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction and are reluctant in joining AA, since high AA affiliation is associated with a wide range of recovery benefits.
{"title":"Affiliation to the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) community: A qualitative study on differences between highly affiliated and low/non-affiliated individuals.","authors":"Adriana Lavinia Bulumac","doi":"10.1177/14550725241278089","DOIUrl":"10.1177/14550725241278089","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Aim:</b> The aim of this study was to identify and elucidate the differences between highly affiliated and low/non-affiliated participants in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. <b>Methods:</b> A qualitative study of 24 participants was conducted in Romania between March and June 2021. Data were collected by means of in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to obtain a comprehensive synthesis of the data collected. <b>Findings:</b> Highly affiliated individuals are those who identify themselves as AA members, are sober, have worked the 12 Steps, are satisfied with their lives, experience a state of well-being, accept the Higher Power, have hit the bottom, have a strong desire for abstinence, attend AA meetings on a regular basis, and are committed to both AA and their sobriety. <b>Conclusion:</b> Although there are common themes among both highly and low/non-affiliated individuals, the results suggest that addiction specialists should pay more attention to organisational commitment, spirituality, well-being and addiction-related concepts as it seems some of them may determine successful AA affiliation, while others may reflect on recovery outcomes. These findings could prove useful to motivate individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction and are reluctant in joining AA, since high AA affiliation is associated with a wide range of recovery benefits.</p>","PeriodicalId":46180,"journal":{"name":"Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs","volume":" ","pages":"619-639"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11572606/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-09-19DOI: 10.1177/14550725241270282
Marte Reikvam Devold, Anna Rita Spein, Pia Barua, Marie Pedersen Indset, André Syvertsen, Ståle Pallesen
Aim: To explore gambling in the indigenous Sámi culture by studying thoughts, ideas and attitudes towards gambling among Sámi and people living in majority Sámi areas with knowledge of the culture. Methods: The topic was investigated in an inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 14 people (n = 13 self-reported Sámi ethnicity). Results: The majority of the informants knew of superstitious practices that were specific to the Sámi culture, though most did not believe that these could influence gambling outcomes. Several features of the Sámi culture, including religious commitment (Laestadianism), family-oriented societies, non-materialistic ideals and self-sufficiency ideals, were presumed to protect against developing gambling issues. There were reports of reduced trust in the Norwegian healthcare system and a lack of treatment services with sufficient knowledge about Sámi culture. Conclusion: Culture-specific factors protecting against development of gambling problems could be a factor in maintaining established gambling problems by increasing associated shame and stigma, resulting in a higher threshold for help-seeking among Sámi. The findings and their potential implications with regards to the existing literature are discussed.
{"title":"Exploring views among Norwegian Sámi regarding gambling and gambling treatment.","authors":"Marte Reikvam Devold, Anna Rita Spein, Pia Barua, Marie Pedersen Indset, André Syvertsen, Ståle Pallesen","doi":"10.1177/14550725241270282","DOIUrl":"10.1177/14550725241270282","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Aim:</b> To explore gambling in the indigenous Sámi culture by studying thoughts, ideas and attitudes towards gambling among Sámi and people living in majority Sámi areas with knowledge of the culture. <b>Methods:</b> The topic was investigated in an inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 14 people (n = 13 self-reported Sámi ethnicity). <b>Results:</b> The majority of the informants knew of superstitious practices that were specific to the Sámi culture, though most did not believe that these could influence gambling outcomes. Several features of the Sámi culture, including religious commitment (Laestadianism), family-oriented societies, non-materialistic ideals and self-sufficiency ideals, were presumed to protect against developing gambling issues. There were reports of reduced trust in the Norwegian healthcare system and a lack of treatment services with sufficient knowledge about Sámi culture. <b>Conclusion:</b> Culture-specific factors protecting against development of gambling problems could be a factor in maintaining established gambling problems by increasing associated shame and stigma, resulting in a higher threshold for help-seeking among Sámi. The findings and their potential implications with regards to the existing literature are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":46180,"journal":{"name":"Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs","volume":" ","pages":"599-618"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11572375/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-10-16DOI: 10.1177/14550725241276309
Kerstin Geißelsöder, Maren Weiss, Klara Boksán, Michael Dechant, Johann Endres, Maike Breuer, Mark Stemmler, Norbert Wodarz
Aims: Opioid addiction is a common problem among prisoners. The aim of this study was to examine differences between people who are incarcerated receiving opioid substitution treatment (OST) and those not receiving OST on addiction-related outcome variables during incarceration and after release from prison. Variables covered illicit use of opioids, non-prescribed substitution medication and other substances, opioid withdrawal symptoms, opioid craving, non-fatal overdoses and post-release substitution treatment. Design: Interviews (European Addiction Severity Index, EuropASI) were conducted with 247 participants in German prisons before release. Participants were interviewed again 1 month and 3-6 months after release from prison. Results: During incarceration, participants who received OST used less illicit opioids and non-prescribed substitution medication than those who did not receive OST. After release from prison, participants in the OST group reported less illicit opioid use and less non-prescribed substitution medication use, as well as less opioid craving. Participants who received OST in prison were more likely to be in OST at post-release follow-up than those who had not received in-prison OST. Conclusion: OST appears to have a positive effect on illicit opioid use and craving both in prison and after release, as well as on treatment at follow-up, which can be considered a protective factor.
{"title":"Opioid substitution treatment, relapse and addiction-related outcomes in prison setting and after release: A longitudinal study.","authors":"Kerstin Geißelsöder, Maren Weiss, Klara Boksán, Michael Dechant, Johann Endres, Maike Breuer, Mark Stemmler, Norbert Wodarz","doi":"10.1177/14550725241276309","DOIUrl":"10.1177/14550725241276309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Aims:</b> Opioid addiction is a common problem among prisoners. The aim of this study was to examine differences between people who are incarcerated receiving opioid substitution treatment (OST) and those not receiving OST on addiction-related outcome variables during incarceration and after release from prison. Variables covered illicit use of opioids, non-prescribed substitution medication and other substances, opioid withdrawal symptoms, opioid craving, non-fatal overdoses and post-release substitution treatment. <b>Design:</b> Interviews (European Addiction Severity Index, EuropASI) were conducted with 247 participants in German prisons before release. Participants were interviewed again 1 month and 3-6 months after release from prison. <b>Results:</b> During incarceration, participants who received OST used less illicit opioids and non-prescribed substitution medication than those who did not receive OST. After release from prison, participants in the OST group reported less illicit opioid use and less non-prescribed substitution medication use, as well as less opioid craving. Participants who received OST in prison were more likely to be in OST at post-release follow-up than those who had not received in-prison OST. <b>Conclusion:</b> OST appears to have a positive effect on illicit opioid use and craving both in prison and after release, as well as on treatment at follow-up, which can be considered a protective factor.</p>","PeriodicalId":46180,"journal":{"name":"Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs","volume":" ","pages":"640-655"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11572460/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: The per capita intake of alcohol in Greenland has risen rapidly since it became commercially available, leading to a corresponding increase in addiction problems and demands for treatment services. Despite efforts to establish addiction treatment services, none were deemed adequate. In response, the Greenlandic parliament initiated a new treatment service strategy in 2015. The aim of this study was to explore the pre-implementation process of this national service by examining literature on addiction problems and treatment services. Methods: Using a scoping review and document analysis methodology, we focused on documents related to alcohol, cannabis, gambling, addiction and treatment within the context of Greenland. Data were sourced from parliamentary records, governmental publications and academic literature in the period 2010-2016, leading up to the decision on the new treatment service. A total of 54 documents were identified and organised into three main themes: the national discourse on addiction problems; strategies and action plans addressing addiction; and demographic mapping of addiction issues within the population. Notably, addiction problems emerged as a significant public concern across all themes. Results: Three key documents emerged as pivotal in the implementation of the new treatment service: a government report from 2012; a parliamentary inquiry in spring 2013; and an agenda item in fall 2013. These documents played a crucial role in shaping discussions and decisions. Conclusion: The findings underscore the widespread recognition of addiction problems as a pressing issue in Greenland, as evidenced by the prominence of relevant documents in shaping policy discussions and the implementation of new treatment initiatives.
{"title":"Wishing for a more sober society: A scoping review on addiction problems and treatment in Greenland preceding the 2016 national treatment strategy.","authors":"Julie Flyger Holflod, Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen, Birgit Niclasen, Anette Søgaard Nielsen","doi":"10.1177/14550725241276306","DOIUrl":"10.1177/14550725241276306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> The per capita intake of alcohol in Greenland has risen rapidly since it became commercially available, leading to a corresponding increase in addiction problems and demands for treatment services. Despite efforts to establish addiction treatment services, none were deemed adequate. In response, the Greenlandic parliament initiated a new treatment service strategy in 2015. The aim of this study was to explore the pre-implementation process of this national service by examining literature on addiction problems and treatment services. <b>Methods:</b> Using a scoping review and document analysis methodology, we focused on documents related to alcohol, cannabis, gambling, addiction and treatment within the context of Greenland. Data were sourced from parliamentary records, governmental publications and academic literature in the period 2010-2016, leading up to the decision on the new treatment service. A total of 54 documents were identified and organised into three main themes: the national discourse on addiction problems; strategies and action plans addressing addiction; and demographic mapping of addiction issues within the population. Notably, addiction problems emerged as a significant public concern across all themes. <b>Results:</b> Three key documents emerged as pivotal in the implementation of the new treatment service: a government report from 2012; a parliamentary inquiry in spring 2013; and an agenda item in fall 2013. These documents played a crucial role in shaping discussions and decisions. <b>Conclusion:</b> The findings underscore the widespread recognition of addiction problems as a pressing issue in Greenland, as evidenced by the prominence of relevant documents in shaping policy discussions and the implementation of new treatment initiatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":46180,"journal":{"name":"Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs","volume":" ","pages":"14550725241276306"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11572557/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142677074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: The use of drugs is an escalating concern, with significant implications for the health and daily functionality for individuals. It has proven challenging to provide accessible health and social services. In the context of addressing substance use issues in urban areas, public gathering places for individuals who use drugs play a multifaceted role, serving as sites of belonging, support and potential illicit activity. This qualitative study explores the experiences of healthcare and social workers regarding a public gathering place, referred to as "the Bench", in a medium-sized Norwegian city. Methods: A qualitative research design consisting of semi-structured focus group interviews and individual interviews with 13 participants representing various support agencies. Results: The analysis resulted in four thematic areas: (1) belonging and a gateway to support and services; (2) balancing user autonomy at the Bench and systems support; (3) the role of a centralised location; and (4) the preventive role of support workers at the Bench. Conclusion: While the Bench fosters a sense of community and provides access to vital services, concerns about illicit activities persist due to its visibility. Nevertheless, its central location facilitates outreach efforts and ensures easy access to support services. The study underscores the preventive role of healthcare and social workers in stabilising the environment and mitigating conflicts. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of central locations for public gathering places, emphasising the proximity to low-threshold services. The Bench represents a crucial venue for establishing relationships and providing assistance to individuals who use drugs, contributing to harm reduction efforts in the community.
{"title":"A place of encounter: Health and social care workers' perspectives on public gathering spaces for people using drugs.","authors":"Stig Bjønness, Amalie Jøntvedt Lie, Trond Grønnestad","doi":"10.1177/14550725241280759","DOIUrl":"10.1177/14550725241280759","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> The use of drugs is an escalating concern, with significant implications for the health and daily functionality for individuals. It has proven challenging to provide accessible health and social services. In the context of addressing substance use issues in urban areas, public gathering places for individuals who use drugs play a multifaceted role, serving as sites of belonging, support and potential illicit activity. This qualitative study explores the experiences of healthcare and social workers regarding a public gathering place, referred to as \"the Bench\", in a medium-sized Norwegian city. <b>Methods:</b> A qualitative research design consisting of semi-structured focus group interviews and individual interviews with 13 participants representing various support agencies. <b>Results:</b> The analysis resulted in four thematic areas: (1) belonging and a gateway to support and services; (2) balancing user autonomy at the Bench and systems support; (3) the role of a centralised location; and (4) the preventive role of support workers at the Bench. <b>Conclusion:</b> While the Bench fosters a sense of community and provides access to vital services, concerns about illicit activities persist due to its visibility. Nevertheless, its central location facilitates outreach efforts and ensures easy access to support services. The study underscores the preventive role of healthcare and social workers in stabilising the environment and mitigating conflicts. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of central locations for public gathering places, emphasising the proximity to low-threshold services. The Bench represents a crucial venue for establishing relationships and providing assistance to individuals who use drugs, contributing to harm reduction efforts in the community.</p>","PeriodicalId":46180,"journal":{"name":"Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs","volume":" ","pages":"14550725241280759"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11572514/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-01Epub Date: 2024-09-25DOI: 10.1177/14550725241270203
Kirsimarja Raitasalo, Karoliina Karjalainen, Sanna Kärkkäinen, Timo M Kauppinen
Background: Studies have shown an association between parental problematic substance use (PSU) and children's out-of-home care (OHC). But there is little researech on the kind of urban neighbourhoods in which such associations typically show up. This study aims to shed light on the associations between neighbourhood characteristics, parental PSU and children's OHC. Using register data, we explore the spatial concentration of parental PSU and children's OHC in urban areas. Methods: Register data of all children born in Finland in 2002 and their biological parents living in 14 Finnish cities were used to follow the children from birth until their 18th birthday or first OHC episode. The study looks at parental PSU andother individual-level indicators as well-as the sociodemographic neighbourhood characteristics. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used as the analysis method. Results: Parental PSU increased the probability of children's OHC regardless of neighbourhood type. The probabilty was highest if both parents had PSU (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.05, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 6.38-10.16), but this outcome did not look the same for all neighbourhoods. The risk of children's OHC placements was higher in suburbs compared to city centres (HR = 1.76, 95% Cl 1.38-2.25). Conclusion: As parental substance use is a complex problem that is often intertwined with other life challenges, such as financial difficulties and mental health problems, it is insufficient to treat caregiver conditions, such as problematic substance use in isolation. Services that increase positive, pro-social connections may be lacking in the neighbourhoods with the most challenges.
{"title":"Children's out-of-home placements: Associations with parental substance use and neighbourhood sociodemographics.","authors":"Kirsimarja Raitasalo, Karoliina Karjalainen, Sanna Kärkkäinen, Timo M Kauppinen","doi":"10.1177/14550725241270203","DOIUrl":"10.1177/14550725241270203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Studies have shown an association between parental problematic substance use (PSU) and children's out-of-home care (OHC). But there is little researech on the kind of urban neighbourhoods in which such associations typically show up. This study aims to shed light on the associations between neighbourhood characteristics, parental PSU and children's OHC. Using register data, we explore the spatial concentration of parental PSU and children's OHC in urban areas. <b>Methods:</b> Register data of all children born in Finland in 2002 and their biological parents living in 14 Finnish cities were used to follow the children from birth until their 18th birthday or first OHC episode. The study looks at parental PSU andother individual-level indicators as well-as the sociodemographic neighbourhood characteristics. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used as the analysis method. <b>Results:</b> Parental PSU increased the probability of children's OHC regardless of neighbourhood type. The probabilty was highest if both parents had PSU (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.05, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 6.38-10.16), but this outcome did not look the same for all neighbourhoods. The risk of children's OHC placements was higher in suburbs compared to city centres (HR = 1.76, 95% Cl 1.38-2.25). <b>Conclusion:</b> As parental substance use is a complex problem that is often intertwined with other life challenges, such as financial difficulties and mental health problems, it is insufficient to treat caregiver conditions, such as problematic substance use in isolation. Services that increase positive, pro-social connections may be lacking in the neighbourhoods with the most challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":46180,"journal":{"name":"Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs","volume":"41 5","pages":"543-556"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11489964/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142477398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-01Epub Date: 2024-08-28DOI: 10.1177/14550725241270228
Henrik Tham
Aim: To analyze how the Police in Sweden perceives the drug problem and how it relates to changes in drug politics in the direction of liberalization. Method: The material analyzed consists of a content-analysis of the magazine of the Swedish Narcotic Police Association, covering 145 issues since the start in 1988, concentrating on lead articles, editorials and other articles on principles and politics. Results: The magazine demonstrate an alarmistic view of the drug problem, criticize government agencies and the media for liberal views, question the motives of proponents of decriminalization and legalization, leaves the costs of control of drug interventions aside, and sees the Police as guardian of status quo and as the defender of the goal of Swedish drug policy: "a drug-free society".
{"title":"Svenska narkotikapolisföreningens tidskrift - polisens bild av ett problem?","authors":"Henrik Tham","doi":"10.1177/14550725241270228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/14550725241270228","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Aim:</b> To analyze how the Police in Sweden perceives the drug problem and how it relates to changes in drug politics in the direction of liberalization. <b>Method:</b> The material analyzed consists of a content-analysis of the magazine of the Swedish Narcotic Police Association, covering 145 issues since the start in 1988, concentrating on lead articles, editorials and other articles on principles and politics. <b>Results:</b> The magazine demonstrate an alarmistic view of the drug problem, criticize government agencies and the media for liberal views, question the motives of proponents of decriminalization and legalization, leaves the costs of control of drug interventions aside, and sees the Police as guardian of status quo and as the defender of the goal of Swedish drug policy: \"a drug-free society\".</p>","PeriodicalId":46180,"journal":{"name":"Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs","volume":"41 5","pages":"557-568"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11489957/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142477400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-01Epub Date: 2024-05-28DOI: 10.1177/14550725241253336
Atte Oksanen, Ilkka Vuorinen, Heli Hagfors, Eerik Soares Mantere, Iina Savolainen
Aims: Both gambling and digital gaming are growing in popularity and there is ongoing discussion about their convergence. This population-based longitudinal survey study investigated how gambling and digital gaming types contribute to at-risk gambling and gaming. Methods: The study was based on a representative sample of 18-75-year-olds from mainland Finland. Survey data were collected at 6-month intervals in 2021-2022, starting in April 2021. Of original T1 respondents, 58.95% took part in all four time points. In total, 3,608 observations from 902 individuals were analysed. Outcome measures were at-risk gambling and gaming based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index and the Internet Gaming Disorder Test. Various types of gambling and gaming were investigated. Results: Population-averaged models showed that different forms of gambling were associated with a higher risk of at-risk gaming. Online casino games were associated with the highest likelihood of at-risk gambling and gaming. Prevalence of digital gaming problems was low. Hybrid models were used to investigate the longitudinal within-person and between-person effects of gambling and gaming activities. Online casino games and offline slot machines increased at-risk gambling. Microtransactions within digital games increased at-risk gambling and gaming over time, but the amount of money spent on digital gaming was small compared to gambling. Conclusions: Our results underline the risks of EGMs and online gambling for the participants. Although gambling and gaming are converging, harm is mostly based on gambling.
{"title":"Colliding harms of gambling and gaming: A four-wave longitudinal population study of at-risk gambling and gaming in Finland.","authors":"Atte Oksanen, Ilkka Vuorinen, Heli Hagfors, Eerik Soares Mantere, Iina Savolainen","doi":"10.1177/14550725241253336","DOIUrl":"10.1177/14550725241253336","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Aims:</b> Both gambling and digital gaming are growing in popularity and there is ongoing discussion about their convergence. This population-based longitudinal survey study investigated how gambling and digital gaming types contribute to at-risk gambling and gaming. <b>Methods:</b> The study was based on a representative sample of 18-75-year-olds from mainland Finland. Survey data were collected at 6<i>-</i>month intervals in 2021-2022, starting in April 2021. Of original T1 respondents, 58.95% took part in all four time points. In total, 3,608 observations from 902 individuals were analysed. Outcome measures were at-risk gambling and gaming based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index and the Internet Gaming Disorder Test. Various types of gambling and gaming were investigated. <b>Results:</b> Population-averaged models showed that different forms of gambling were associated with a higher risk of at-risk gaming. Online casino games were associated with the highest likelihood of at-risk gambling and gaming. Prevalence of digital gaming problems was low. Hybrid models were used to investigate the longitudinal within-person and between-person effects of gambling and gaming activities. Online casino games and offline slot machines increased at-risk gambling. Microtransactions within digital games increased at-risk gambling and gaming over time, but the amount of money spent on digital gaming was small compared to gambling. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our results underline the risks of EGMs and online gambling for the participants. Although gambling and gaming are converging, harm is mostly based on gambling.</p>","PeriodicalId":46180,"journal":{"name":"Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs","volume":"41 5","pages":"474-490"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11489959/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142477399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-01Epub Date: 2024-08-28DOI: 10.1177/14550725241270204
Michał Bujalski, Magdalena Rowicka
Aim: Online alcohol sales have grown rapidly, but their impact on alcohol consumption and harms is not well understood. This study explores the association between online alcohol purchasing and drinking behaviours during the late phase of COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Design: A nationally representative survey was conducted in May 2022 of 2000 Polish residents aged 18-50 years selected from a probability-based web panel. Measures included past-year alcohol purchasing through e-stores, food/delivery apps and retail apps. Alcohol consumption was quantified using the Beverage-Specific Quantity-Frequency method. Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic and behavioural correlates of online alcohol purchasing. Results: Of the study respondents, 19% purchased alcohol through e-stores, 17% via delivery apps and 15% with retail apps. Spirits were commonly purchased in e-stores (57%), while beer was purchased via apps (58%-60%). Most online buyers took advantage of price promotions (69%-75%) and reported some kind of age verification (67%-68%). Higher odds of online purchasing were found among men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.38-1.54), younger drinkers (aOR 1.65-2.04) and to some extent university graduates (aOR 1.75 for e-stores purchases). Compared to moderate drinkers, risky (aOR 2.32-3.02) and harmful drinkers (aOR 5.06-6.61) showed substantially increased odds of buying alcohol online. Conclusion: Results suggest online alcohol purchasing, especially through mobile apps, is linked to more excessive drinking. Apps enable easy access to alcohol anytime anywhere, circumventing policies restricting sales to minors and intoxicated persons. With youth drinking declining globally, online sales are an emerging issue for public health. Restricting mobile app-based alcohol delivery could be an important policy measure to curb excessive drinking enabled by digital sales.
{"title":"Alcohol purchases through online stores and mobile applications in the late phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland.","authors":"Michał Bujalski, Magdalena Rowicka","doi":"10.1177/14550725241270204","DOIUrl":"10.1177/14550725241270204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Aim:</b> Online alcohol sales have grown rapidly, but their impact on alcohol consumption and harms is not well understood. This study explores the association between online alcohol purchasing and drinking behaviours during the late phase of COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. <b>Design:</b> A nationally representative survey was conducted in May 2022 of 2000 Polish residents aged 18-50 years selected from a probability-based web panel. Measures included past-year alcohol purchasing through e-stores, food/delivery apps and retail apps. Alcohol consumption was quantified using the Beverage-Specific Quantity-Frequency method. Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic and behavioural correlates of online alcohol purchasing. <b>Results:</b> Of the study respondents, 19% purchased alcohol through e-stores, 17% via delivery apps and 15% with retail apps. Spirits were commonly purchased in e-stores (57%), while beer was purchased via apps (58%-60%). Most online buyers took advantage of price promotions (69%-75%) and reported some kind of age verification (67%-68%). Higher odds of online purchasing were found among men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.38-1.54), younger drinkers (aOR 1.65-2.04) and to some extent university graduates (aOR 1.75 for e-stores purchases). Compared to moderate drinkers, risky (aOR 2.32-3.02) and harmful drinkers (aOR 5.06-6.61) showed substantially increased odds of buying alcohol online. <b>Conclusion:</b> Results suggest online alcohol purchasing, especially through mobile apps, is linked to more excessive drinking. Apps enable easy access to alcohol anytime anywhere, circumventing policies restricting sales to minors and intoxicated persons. With youth drinking declining globally, online sales are an emerging issue for public health. Restricting mobile app-based alcohol delivery could be an important policy measure to curb excessive drinking enabled by digital sales.</p>","PeriodicalId":46180,"journal":{"name":"Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs","volume":"41 5","pages":"509-521"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11489989/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142477397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}