ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6413-8947
Current Organisation
University of Queensland
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 24-02-2016
Abstract: In recent years the recreational use of inhaled nitrous oxide gas (N 2 O) is becoming increasingly popular, yet little is known about the characteristics of its users or the effects they experience. This paper presents original research from the 2014 Global Drug Survey (GDS) ( n=74,864). GDS runs the largest survey of recreational drug use in the world. The findings confirm N 2 O as a very common drug of use, in particular in the UK and US (38.6% and 29.4% lifetime prevalence). In the UK N 2 O was reported to be the eighth most commonly used substance. N 2 O was generally consumed via gas-filled balloons, at festivals and clubs where use of other substances was common. The vast majority of users use infrequently, and their use is not associated with significant harm. However, there appears to be a subpopulation of heavy users who may be using in a dependent pattern. Analysis of last year N 2 O users ( n=4883), confirms that N 2 O is associated with hallucinations and confusion (which may be the desired effects) and persistent numbness and accidental injury (27.8%, 23.9%, 4.3% and 1.2% of last year users, respectively). Accidental injury is associated with the highest number of ‘hits’ per session, suggesting a dose–response relationship. The presence of significant harm is discussed in the light of public education on the risks of N 2 O use and harm-reduction strategies appropriate to N 2 O use. Further work needs to be completed to confirm the presence of persistent neurological symptoms in recreational users.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 02-2016
DOI: 10.1037/PHA0000060
Abstract: This study explores survey respondents' reports of alcohol-related harm created by another person's drinking and whether the experience of harm was influenced by the respondent's own risky drinking behavior and other relevant personal demographics (age and sex). Drawing from a cross-sectional survey of Australian adults, the study analyzes the likelihood that frequent risky drinkers, infrequent risky drinkers, nonrisky drinkers, and nondrinkers would report a problematic drinker and the different harms experienced as a result of the problematic drinker. The study also examines the type of harms experienced and the number of different harms experienced. Both unadjusted and adjusted models (accounting for age and sex) are reported. Results showed that respondents' own drinking behavior influenced their reporting of a problematic drinker and the breadth of harms reported. More frequent risky drinkers reported a problematic drinker than did nonrisky drinkers, but the difference in odds was not significant between nondrinkers and nonrisky drinkers, nor between infrequent risky drinkers and frequent risky drinkers. The reported average number of harms for infrequent and frequent risky drinking categories was less than that for nondrinkers but was not significant. There was a nonlinear negative relationship between the age of the respondent and the probability of reporting a problematic drinker, and, after accounting for age, compared to men, women were significantly more likely to report a problematic drinker. The study highlights some evidence for the effect that in iduals who drink at riskier levels may experience more harms due to their heavier drinking social networks but downplay these experiences that others cause.
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Madonna DEVANEY.