@article{ref1,
title="Pills and pints: Risky drinking and alcohol-related harms among regular ecstasy users in Australia",
journal="Drug and alcohol review",
year="2011",
author="Kinner, Stuart A. and George, Jessica and Johnston, Jennifer and Dunn, Matthew and Degenhardt, Louisa",
volume="31",
number="3",
pages="273-280",
abstract="Introduction and Aims. A significant proportion of young Australians engage in risky alcohol consumption, and an increasing minority are regular ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) users. Risky alcohol use, alone or in combination with ecstasy, is associated with a range of acute and chronic health risks. The aim of this study was to document the incidence and some health-related correlates of alcohol use, and concurrent alcohol and ecstasy use, among a large, national sample of regular ecstasy users (REU) in Australia. Design and Methods. National, cross-sectional surveys of REU in Australia 2003-2008. Among REU in 2008 (n = 678) usual alcohol use, psychological distress and health-related quality of life were measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and Short Form-8 Survey respectively. Results. Among REU in 2008, 36% reported high-risk patterns of usual alcohol consumption, 62% reported usually consuming more than five standard drinks with ecstasy, and 24% reported currently experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress. Controlling for age and education, high-risk drinking among REU was associated with higher levels of psychological distress and poorer health-related functioning; however, the associations between concurrent alcohol and ecstasy use, and health outcomes, were not significant (P > 0.05). Discussion and Conclusions. A large and increasing proportion of REU in Australia engage in high-risk patterns of alcohol consumption, including in combination with ecstasy. High-risk alcohol consumption among this group is associated with adverse health-related outcomes. Prevention and harm reduction interventions for REU should incorporate messages about the risks associated with alcohol use. There is an ongoing need for youth-specific, coordinated alcohol and other drug and mental health services.[Kinner SA, George J, Johnston J, Dunn M, Degenhardt L. Pills and pints: Risky drinking and alcohol-related harms among regular ecstasy users in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011].<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0959-5236",
doi="10.1111/j.1465-3362.2011.00348.x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-3362.2011.00348.x"
}