Unhealthy alcohol use (UAU) is common among patients identified in primary care as using other drugs, a recent study found. Researchers evaluated 589 primary care patients with drug use; UAU was assessed at baseline and the main independent variable was any heavy drinking day in the past month. They found:

• 48% had at least 1 past month heavy drinking day.

• The self-identified main drug was marijuana for 64%, cocaine for 18%, and an opioid for 16%.

• Any heavy drinking at baseline was negatively associated with number of days use of the main drug at 6 months, but positively associated with the use of more than 1 drug and unsafe sex.

• These findings suggest attention should be given to alcohol use among primary care patients who use other drugs.

Citation: Maynié-François C, Cheng DM, Samet JH, Lloyd-Travaglini C, et al. Unhealthy alcohol use in primary care patients who screen positive for drug use. [Published online ahead of print August 2, 2016]. Subst Abus. doi:10.1080/08897077.2016.1216920.