Serious drug use in the young adult population is a large public health concern. This study looks at drug use trajectories of at risk young adults by tracking whether implicit and explicit identification with substance use can predict change in use. Also, if patterns of use impacts identification with drugs. Before completing the study, the researchers looked at evidence that shows that someone’s identify may play a role in their drug use. If there is a correlation, this identification could be used to predict drug use trajectories of the individual.
Researchers recruited participates that were using illicit substances or at risk to use at several locations such as homeless shelters and youth centers. They used the Implicit Association Test (computerized reaction -time task) to determine implicit (unconscious) identification with drug use. The researchers also used a survey to see if participants identified with drug use explicitly (consciously.) They came up with 229 participants ranging from the age of 16-28 years old. It was found that 70.8% used illicit drugs at least once a week and Cannabis was found to be the drug most likely to be used. 92% reported being surrounded by friends who use some form of illicit drug. Another important finding was that those who were injecting had a stronger identification with drug use and explicit identification was a better predictor of patterns of drug use.
Overall, the researchers determined that identification with a drug is important in recovery and predicting future drug dependence. It also seems to suggest that identification with drug use is a marker for current drug use. However, it does not seem to correlate to predicting drug use behavior. Habitual use of drugs plays an important role in public health. If drug use trajectories can be better predicted and understood, it may be easier to help prevent drug use and help those who are already using recover.
Take Away: Drug use in the young adult population causes many health concerns. This research identifies if there is a correlation between identifying with drug use and drug use trajectories. It was found that while identification with drug use doesn’t provide concrete information about prediction of use, it does provide a marker for current use. The thought is that if drug use trajectories can be predicted, the users can be better helped and treated. More research needs to be done to obtain a better understanding of drug use trajectories.