Intermediate Stable States in Substance Use

Original research
by
Epskamp, Sacha et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

International

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

We empirically examine the stability of and transitions between three substance use states: zero-use, moderate use, and heavy use.

Findings/Key points

Results, which we make available through an extensive interactive tool, suggests that there are stable moderate use states, even after meeting criteria for a positive diagnosis of substance abuse or dependency, for both alcohol and cannabis use. Moderate use of tobacco, however, was rare. We discuss implications of recognizing three states rather than two states as a modeling target, in which the moderate use state can both act as an intervention target or as a gateway between zero use and heavy use.

Design/methods

Two large datasets from the US & the Netherlands

Keywords

Evidence base
About PWUD
Illegal drugs