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Polysubstance Use Patterns among Outpatients Undergoing Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Latent Class Analysis

Author

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  • Natale Salvatore Bonfiglio

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Noah SRL, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Igor Portoghese

    (Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Roberta Renati

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Noah SRL, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Maria Lidia Mascia

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Maria Pietronilla Penna

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) pose significant challenges to both individuals and society at large. The primary focus of existing research with clinical SUD populations has been on individual substances, but research is required to better understand the profiles of individuals who use different substances simultaneously. The purpose of the current study was, therefore, to identify patterns of use among subjects ( n = 1025) who reported using multiple substances by adopting a Latent Class Analysis (LCA) methodology. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI-lite) was included as a measure of substance misuse, we performed LCA to identify patterns of substance use through the administration of the ASI-Lite. Responses were collected from the following substances: alcohol, cannabis/cannabinoids, opioids and heroin, and cocaine. Results identified two latent classes: (1) alcohol use dominant, and (2) poly-abuser use dominants. Class 1 represented 60.0% of the sample and refers to individuals with the dominant use of alcohol, of those a higher proportion (47%) reported low-frequency use (1 to 7 days per month) and 26% reported a frequency of use of 24 to 30 days per month. Furthermore, 18% used alcohol in combination with cocaine. Class 2 represents 40.0% of the sample. This class is characterized by low-frequency and high-frequency users of several substances. The results obtained highlight the importance of deepening the study of the concomitant use of substances in individuals with SUDs to better understand the health risk of the combined use of two or more substances.

Suggested Citation

  • Natale Salvatore Bonfiglio & Igor Portoghese & Roberta Renati & Maria Lidia Mascia & Maria Pietronilla Penna, 2022. "Polysubstance Use Patterns among Outpatients Undergoing Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Latent Class Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16759-:d:1002749
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Natale Salvatore Bonfiglio & Maria Lidia Mascia & Maria Pietronilla Penna, 2022. "Digital Treatment Paths for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-4, June.
    2. Natale Salvatore Bonfiglio & Maria Lidia Mascia & Stefania Cataudella & Maria Pietronilla Penna, 2022. "Digital Help for Substance Users (SU): A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
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