Showing papers in "American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in 1981"
TL;DR: It is suggested that the systematic encouragement and community assess procedure are significantly more effective than standard referral systems in increasing participation in Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon meetings.
Abstract: A difficulty in the treatment of alcoholism is that many alcoholics referred to treatment programs never reach the referral destination, or if they do, they seldom remain involved in those programs. The present study attempted to increase participation in Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon meetings. Twenty clients were selected from an outpatient mental health alcoholism treatment program and randomly assigned to either a standard referral procedure which involved giving the client information about Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon; encouraging the client to attend; and providing information concerning time, date, and location of weekly meetings; or to a systematic encouragement and community access procedure which involved a phone call being made in the counseling session to a local Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon member in which the member briefly talked to the client about the meeting, offered to give a ride to the client and to meet the client before the meeting and having the Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon member call the client the night of the meeting to remind them of it and to encourage them to come. The results of this study showed that 100% of the experimental group attended Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon within 1 week of referral and continued to attend, whereas none of the control group ever attended. The results of this study suggest that the systematic encouragement and community assess procedure are significantly more effective than standard referral systems.
108 citations
TL;DR: A sample of male and female dropouts and graduates from the 1974 population in Phoenix House were followed 2 years after treatment, showing success and improvement increased by time in program for both sexes and psychological improvement during treatment and at follow-up was correlated with posttreatment success status.
Abstract: A sample of male (N = 214) and female (N = 74) dropouts and graduates from the 1974 population in Phoenix House were followed 2 years after treatment. The sample was mainly opioid abusers, Black, and 19-26 years of age. A 4-h face-to-face interview traced social adjustment from 1 year pre- through all years posttreatment. Clients were retested with a psychological battery initially given at admission or during treatment. Results showed that success (no crime and no opioid use and/or no use of a nonopioid primary drug) was maintained throughout 2 years of follow-up by 38% of the males (dropouts 32.9%, graduates, 73.9%) and 42% of the females (dropouts 40.7%, graduates 50.0%); improvement (change from pretreatment status) occurred in over 59% of the males and 60% of the females; success and improvement increased by time in program for both sexes; psychological improvement during treatment and at follow-up was correlated with posttreatment success status: Among successes, the female improvement was significa...
102 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that decisions to drink and drive are the result of one's personal evaluation of this behavior and one's perceived ability to control the threatening consequences, and drinking and driving may continue to be so prevalent in a college population because they erroneously believe that they are still safe drivers and effective at controlling the attendant risks.
Abstract: Two social psychological theories (the Fishbein Model and the Health Belief Model) were used to derive attitude and belief factors to predict intentions to drive while under the influence of alcohol and actual drinking-driving behavior in a college population. The results revealed strong support for the Fishbein theory; attitudes and normative beliefs predicted intentions, while intentions were the best predictor of subsequent behavior. From the Health Belief Model, specific beliefs regarding one's effectiveness at being able to avoid getting caught by the police and cause an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol were also significantly related to drinking-driving intentions and behavior. These findings indicate that decisions to drink and drive are the result of one's personal evaluation of this behavior and one's perceived ability to control the threatening consequences. Thus drinking and driving may continue to be so prevalent in a college population because they erroneously believe that they are still safe drivers and effective at controlling the attendant risks.
79 citations
TL;DR: With the use of the Neonatal Narcotic Withdrawal Index (NNWI), infants exposed to methadone in utero have been successfully cared for with detoxification needed in less than 25% of cases and for durations of less than 2 weeks.
Abstract: Management of 50 experimental newborn infants ill with narcotic withdrawal has been carried out with the aid of an instrument developed for measuring its severity, the Neonatal Narcotic Withdrawal Index (NNWI). With its use, infants exposed to methadone in utero have been successfully cared for with detoxification needed in less than 25% of cases and for durations of less than 2 weeks. The percentage of cases and the length of treatment is much less than is customary for infants who have been prenatally exposed to similar doses of methadone. Validity of the NNWI is shown by the statistically significant difference between the mean scores for experimental and control subjects, a high significant correlation between simultaneously measured scores by separate examiners, statistically significant correlations between subscores and total withdrawal scores for the narcotic-exposed experimental cases, and for this group, a statistically significant correlation between scores of withdrawal and the maternal dose o...
79 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that naltrexone may be a useful short-term treatment option for opiate dependence and methods for improving retention during induction and maintenance are discussed.
Abstract: The narcotic antagonist, naltrexone, was studied in 242 patients during a 6-year period. Although a large number of subjects discontinued naltrexone abruptly, treatment was related to a significant decrease in opiate and nonopiate drug use. Methods for improving retention during induction and maintenance are discussed and posttreatment outcome results are presented. The authors conclude that naltrexone may be a useful short-term treatment option for opiate dependence.
37 citations
TL;DR: The ability of religious programs to attract large numbers of clients is limited, but that major changes in attitudes and life-style occur among some participants, and successful participation seems to depend upon a special motivational state at admission.
Abstract: Religion is often overlooked as a factor in recovery from chronic opioid dependence. Research on the effectiveness of religious programs is scanty, but three reports in the literature suggest that programs of the Pentecostal type may be particularly effective among Hispanic drug users. In this paper we review the literature and report our own observations of religious program participation among 248 San Antonio addicts, 87% of whom are Hispanic (Mexican-American). In a 12-year period, 11% of the 248 entered religious programs. Although there were only 33 admissions, the percent followed by a year or more of abstinence (44%) markedly exceeded that following conventional treatment or correctional interventions. We conclude that the ability of religious programs to attract large numbers of clients is limited, but that major changes in attitudes and life-style occur among some participants. Successful participation seems to depend upon a special motivational state at admission. Religious programs may be conce...
36 citations
TL;DR: The frequent finding of low levels of PCP in combination with other drugs indicates the availability of this hallucinogen and point to its use in combinationWith other illicit drugs such as cocaine, amphetamine, and heroin.
Abstract: Urine specimens from methadone treatment clinics were screened for various abused drugs between 1974-1979 by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and immunoassay techniques (IAT). A comparison of the relative incidence of drugs abused reveals that IAT are more sensitive and detect far greater number of subjects abusing drugs than TLC. The results also show a significant abuse of heroin and cocaine during the period studied and a variation of the incidence of other drugs used during the same period. While these patients did not receive benzodiazepenes and tricyclic antidepressants by prescription, their abuse alone and in combination with each other was also found to be widespread. Low levels of PCP and/or its analogs were found in 1978 and 1979. The frequent finding of low levels of PCP in combination with other drugs indicates the availability of this hallucinogen and point to its use in combination with other illicit drugs such as cocaine, amphetamine, and heroin. The suggestion is made that more sensitive a...
36 citations
TL;DR: Results indicated that patients who were more favorably disposed to the program were more likely to remain in care than those who were not only if role induction was provided, but in the absence of the pretreatment intervention, differences between high and low discrepant patients were virtually nonexistent.
Abstract: A study was conducted to examine the impact of various role induction modalities in dealing with the problem of early dropout among substance abusing patients. Emphasis was placed on tracing the interdependency between patient misperceptions of treatment, termed level of discrepancy in treatment expectations (Level of DTE) and continuance. Results indicated that patients who were more favorably disposed to the program (low Level of DTE) were more likely to remain in care than those who were not (high Level of DTE) only if role induction was provided; in the absence of the pretreatment intervention, differences between high and low discrepant patients were virtually nonexistent. These data suggest that the real utility of role induction lies in its ability to confirm the expectations of low discrepant patients (in contrast to improving patient knowledge of therapy) while at the same time providing them with a mechanism to learn coping skills necessary for adjusting to a new program. For those classified as high discrepant patients, role induction alone was not sufficient to prevent early termination; the majority did not stay past four sessions. Implications for this group are that greater efforts should be made in responding to their concrete problems, actively engaging "significant other(s)" or providing them with an external support system in the form of a "buddy" at the point of entry, in order to forestall premature termination.
34 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that alcoholism and alcohol dependence are very prevalent in this sample of addicts and a history of heavy drinking within the 4 years immediately prior to admission significantly predicted subsequent episodes during the follow-up period.
Abstract: In this paper we report on the prediction of mortality, alcohol dependence, and the rate of previously undiagnosed alcoholism in male and female narcotic addicts. These subjects (N = 200) were initially interviewed upon admission to the Clinical Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Lexington, Kentucky, and prospectively followed-up and reinterviewed 5 years later (N = 187). The results indicate that alcoholism and alcohol dependence are very prevalent in this sample of addicts. A history of diagnosable alcoholism obtained at admission was a significant predictor of mortality during the follow-up period whereas a history of heavy drinking was associated with increased mortality but not significantly. About one-half of the males and one-quarter of the females met criteria for alcohol dependence during the follow-up period. Both a prior diagnosis of alcoholism and a history of heavy drinking were significant predictors of episodes of alcohol dependence during the follow-up period. In addition, the proportion of subjects positive for alcoholism increased between two- and threefold during the 5-year period. Finally, a history of heavy drinking at any time within the 4 years immediately prior to admission significantly predicted subsequent episodes during the follow-up period.
31 citations
TL;DR: The findings suggest that addicts and their families have rather divergent perceptions of the addict's problems and indicate the value of including family members or significant others in the process of evaluating and treating opiate addicts.
Abstract: This study compares self-reports by a sample of 50 opiate addicts with reports of 50 "significant other" informants, on past and current functioning. Moderate to high levels of agreement are found using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) in reporting current opiate use, current employment, and current legal pressures. This finding is consistent with previous studies which found good agreement between addicts and informants in these areas. However, much poorer agreement between addicts and informants is found in assessing the severity of addict's social, employment, and psychological problems, and in assessing the more detailed aspects of drug use. A comparison of the percent agreement data with ICC data used in this study provides empirical support for the argument that percent agreement data represents an inflated estimate of concordance between raters. These findings suggest that addicts and their families have rather divergent perceptions of the addict's problems and, in addition, indicate the value of including family members or significant others in the process of evaluating and treating opiate addicts. The results of the statistical analysis underscore the need in reliability studies of rigorous statistics that take into account chance agreement.
30 citations
TL;DR: The addition of parole supervision with urine testing resulted in only marginal improvements in behavior over that attributable to maintenance alone; however, the parole status did significantly reduce the length of intervals of daily heroin use both prior and subsequent to methadone entry.
Abstract: A 7-year followup of three male samples of 1971-1973 methadone maintenance admissions was conducted: a random sample of 100; a sample of 136 who had a minimum of 30 months remaining on civil addict parole status at the time of methadone entry; and a matched sample of 136 not on parole. Ninety percent of those not deceased were interviewed. The overall sample spent 58% of the nonincarcerated follow-up interval on methadone. This resulted in a large decline in daily heroin use and associated criminal behavior measures. The addition of parole supervision with urine testing resulted in only marginal improvements in behavior over that attributable to maintenance alone; however, the parole status did significantly reduce the length of intervals of daily heroin use both prior and subsequent to methadone entry.
TL;DR: Overall, subjects gave relatively valid self-reports, and when answers were invalid they were more often overreported than underreported, and of the three question types, demographic questions were answered the most validly.
Abstract: Using 54 outpatient male court-referred alcohol abusers as subjects, this study investigated the effects of three different interview factors-interview setting (group vs individual), method of interview administration (self vs other), and question type (alcohol vs nonalcohol vs demographic)-on the validity of alcohol abusers' self-reports of verifiable life events. Overall, subjects gave relatively valid self-reports, and when answers were invalid they were more often overreported than underreported. Of the three question types, demographic questions were answered the most validly. The validity of subjects' answers was not differentially affected by whether they answered the questions themselves or were interviewed by an experimenter. While subjects who were interviewed individually gave significantly more valid responses to questions than subjects interviewed in a group setting, the difference (5%) was not great. Given that the overall validity rate was quite high for both groups, consideration must be g...
TL;DR: There is little evidence to cause one to tout either inpatient or outpatient treatment based on relative effectiveness, and it is proposed that a flexible treatment program utilizing both inpatient and outpatient treatment with a focus on reducing attrition is most likely to maximize effectiveness.
Abstract: The literature on inpatient and outpatient treatment of alcohol and drug abusers is reviewed. In addition, attrition as a major factor in treatment is examined. While several hypothesized advantages for both inpatient and outpatient treatment are advanced, it is pointed out that, because of methodological and situational differences among the studies, comparisons are difficult and risky to make. After suggesting that there is little evidence to cause one to tout either inpatient or outpatient treatment based on relative effectiveness, it is proposed that a flexible treatment program utilizing both inpatient and outpatient treatment with a focus on reducing attrition is most likely to maximize effectiveness.
TL;DR: There was a marked decrease from preintervention incidence of drug use, crime, and unemployment among 208 addicts, most of whom were White middle-class heroin users, both graduates and "splitees," who participated in one of two California therapeutic communities.
Abstract: Relatively little is known about the efficacy of the therapeutic community as an intervention for drug abusers. The few published outcome studies vary widely in their conclusions; some claim extraordinary success while others cite much more modest results. This study reports the incidence of behavior changes (drug use, criminality, and unemployment) among 208 addicts, most of whom were White middle-class heroin users, both graduates and “splitees,” who participated in one of two California therapeutic communities. One program lasted 3 months and the other 10-12 months. Follow-up interviews conducted 11-18 months after participants left the treatment setting found only nine individuals, 4.3% of the participants, who totally abstained from drugs. There was, however, a marked decrease from preintervention incidence of drug use, crime, and unemployment. The most impressive behavior changes occurred among those who participated in the long-term program, as contrasted with the shorter one, and among those who g...
TL;DR: Crime was primarily profit-related and strongly associated with drug use, especially opioid drugs, and criminality and drug use increased and decreased together among persons who showed changes in drug use during the follow-up period.
Abstract: Follow-up interview data for 1,155 opioid addicts showed that about three-fourths of the sample reported some criminal behavior during a 4-year period after leaving drug abuse treatment. Males had ...
TL;DR: It was concluded that it is an oversimplification to view alcoholism merely as an extension of heavy drinking and that alcohol control policies and alcoholism prevention need to be directed toward alleviating anomie and social isolation.
Abstract: This study evaluates the implications of two alcoholism prevention models. The single distribution (log-normal) model posits that the average level of consumption in a society is sufficient to account for the rate of alcoholism; the sociocultural model suggests that variables other than consumption account for alcoholism. Factor analysis and multiple regression were used to assess interstate differences in average alcohol consumption and alcoholism rates. Consumption, controlling for alcoholism rate, was found not wholly to be an economic phenomenon but rather was predicted by urban conditions (a factor measuring unintegrated foreign-born and minority groups and external social control) and two alcohol availability factors. Alcoholism rate was predicted by urban conditions and a social isolation factor, isolated females. Consumption was not a significant predictor of alcoholism in this multivariable analysis. It was concluded that it is an oversimplification to view alcoholism merely as an extension of he...
TL;DR: The inability of legislators and law enforcement personnel to control access to and use of marijuana, coupled with the high cost of the present legal response to the marijuana challenge, leads to recommending legalization of marijuana and developing a generic primary prevention program for marijuana abuse.
Abstract: Survey research on levels of use and attitudes toward marijuana by youth indicate a consistently favorable attitude toward occasional, moderate use. Use of marijuana is contrasted with the use of alcohol and tobacco by youth. Research findings re the dangers of marijuana use are summarized. The inability of legislators and law enforcement personnel to control access to and use of marijuana, coupled with the high cost of our present legal response to the marijuana challenge, leads to recommending the legalization of marijuana, as well as, developing a generic primary prevention program for marijuana abuse which features distinguishing “responsible use” from “abuse.” Criteria for judging marijuana abuse are provided.
TL;DR: Differences between those students who do smoke marijuana and those who abstain are apparently declining as marijuana use becomes more prevalent.
Abstract: The results of a study of New England college students indicate that in 1977, marijuana and alcohol use among college students was widespread. Nearly all students reported that they drank alcoholic beverages, and more than two-thirds indicated that they had used one or more other drugs within the past year. Of these students, about 60% smoked marijuana, a drug that seems to be related to a student life-style involving the use of alcohol and other “recreational” drugs. Differences between those students who do smoke marijuana and those who abstain are apparently declining as marijuana use becomes more prevalent.
TL;DR: There was no evidence for an optimal match between client types and treatment types leading to better posttreatment outcomes of clients, and the client type with greater criminal involvement had the poorest outcomes.
Abstract: Differences in background characteristics of 1,812 Black and White male opioid addicts were used as the basis for defining profiles of “typical” clients assigned to methadone maintenance (MM), therapeutic community (TC), and outpatient drug-free (DF) programs. The three client types defined by these profiles, especially reflecting variations in criminal history and legal involvement, were compared using a composite outcome measure for drug use, criminality, and employment during the first year posttreatment. There were significant outcome differences among the client types, and the client type with greater criminal involvement had the poorest outcomes. The outcomes of clients in MM, TC, and DF treatments were not significantly different from one another, but they were significantly more favorable than those for clients in outpatient detoxification and a comparison intake-only group. The major finding, however, was the lack of evidence for an optimal match between client types and treatment types leading t...
TL;DR: A worldwide survey of nonmedical drug use among U.S. military personnel was conducted in 1980 and it is estimated that 3% of Department of Defense junior enlisted personnel were physiologically drug dependent and a total of 4% were physiological or psychologically drug dependent at some time during the preceding 12 months.
Abstract: A worldwide survey of nonmedical drug use among U.S. military personnel was conducted in 1980. A stratified multistage probability sample was drawn and a questionnaire administered by staff of Burt Associates, Inc. The results show that 27% of the military personnel reported they had used some type of drug or drugs non-medically in the past 30 d; 36% reported such use within the past year. Prevalence rates are presented for each of nine drug categories. Nonmedical drug use is limited primarily to junior enlisted personnel. The overwhelming majority of nonmedical drug use in the military is occasional or experimental in nature. From these results obtained, it is estimated that 3% of Department of Defense (DOD) junior enlisted personnel were physiologically drug dependent and a total of 4% were physiologically or psychologically drug dependent at some time during the preceding 12 months. The proportions of junior enlisted personel reporting consequences of drug use and work impairment because of drug use ar...
TL;DR: Evidence cited in this exploratory study of Alcoholics Anonymous membership among alcoholics in treatment demonstrated critical differences between alcoholics Anonymous members and nonmembers on important dimensions related to the treatment of alcoholism.
Abstract: Alcoholics Anonymous as a treatment modality for alcoholism has been widely accepted by both the public and mental health professionals. Evidence cited in this exploratory study of Alcoholics Anony...
TL;DR: This research focused on 17 marijuana-abusing adolescents who were selected according to the "representative case method" to identify the functions which marijuana played for these adolescents, and five key functions related to family psychodynamics were described.
Abstract: Research on adolescent marijuana use has given insufficient attention to understanding the functions of marijuana in youngsters' overall adaptation, and particularly in the context of family psychodynamics. This research focused on 17 marijuana-abusing adolescents who were selected according to the “representative case method.” Data obtained through unstructured psychodynamic interviews with the youngsters and their families were analyzed to identify the functions which marijuana played for these adolescents. Five key functions related to family psychodynamics-defiance and provocation, self-destructiveness, control of anger, grandiosity, and escape from competitive conflicts-are described. A case illustration is presented to show how these functions are interrelated in the adolescents' adaptation.
TL;DR: It is indicated that labeling persons as alcoholics or problem drinkers may lead to stigmatization, with the extent of stigmatization a function of the type of social group to which the respondents belonged.
Abstract: Research focused on the stigmatizing effects of alcohol-related labels has typically focused on social rejection (usually using a social distance scale). In the present study, affective reactions (or attitudes) were obtained with regard to four labels: alcoholic, problem drinker, recovered alcoholic, and social drinker. These attitudes were compared across four groups: an urban sample, a rural sample, a sample of graduate social work students, and a sample of alcoholics from a detoxification center. The results indicated that labeling persons as alcoholics or problem drinkers may lead to stigmatization, with the extent of stigmatization a function of the type of social group to which the respondents belonged. In addition, the destigmatization potential of certain labels that are used by self-help groups appeared to be questionable. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for treatment, particularly with respect to the similarities and differences between the alcoholic and the student-prac...
TL;DR: The main thrust of this paper is to compare the indigenous self-help groups in Baltimore and nearby communities under Narcotics Anonymous with agency-initiated groups of former addicts.
Abstract: The “self-help” movement, based on fundamental American values, has grown among society's “deviants” such as alcoholics and narcotic users. Its leaders have typically challenged any agency role in their organizations. The main thrust of this paper is to compare the indigenous self-help groups in Baltimore and nearby communities under Narcotics Anonymous with agency-initiated groups of former addicts. The need is seen for both efforts.
TL;DR: Heavy chronic users were more likely than recreational users to feel energized by PCP, and to experience negative ideations (thoughts about suicide and death) when age was controlled for, and were also more likely to experience violent effects.
Abstract: Snowball sampling techniques were used to generate a sample of 200 phencyclidine users from an area with a 10-year history of extensive PCP use. Three types of users were studied: heavy chronic, light chronic, and recreational users. The extent of PCP use varied from less than twice a month for a period of 6 months to daily use for several consecutive years. Each subject participated in a structured interview which lasted an average of 11/2 h. Subjects were asked about the acute effects of PCP, and about their moods before, during, and after using PCP. Scales based on previous research were used to measure the acute effects and moods. Results showed that heavy chronic users were more likely than recreational users to feel energized by PCP, and to experience negative ideations (thoughts about suicide and death). When age was controlled for, heavy chronic users were also more likely to experience violent effects. Analysis of moods over time showed some similar patterns between heavy chronic and recreational users, as well as some striking differences. Overall, heavy chronic users reported greater mood elevations while high on PCP, and a more dramatic drop in mood after the high wore off, than recreational users. Analysis of the results by user types clarified some of the confusion about contradictory descriptions of the effects of PCP, and point to the need to continue distinguishing between user types.
TL;DR: The author describes how consultation with liaison can be effective in reaching more alcoholic patients and teaching professionals and encouraging findings and future directions are discussed.
Abstract: Alcoholism is a very common disease in general hospital patients. Yet negative attitudes toward alcoholism and the need for education among professionals often lead to underdiagnosis and inadequate referral. The author describes how consultation with liaison can be effective in reaching more alcoholic patients and teaching professionals. He points out that while this has commonly been accepted in general psychiatry, the liaison approach seems to have rarely been utilized to its fullest potential in the alcoholism field. One alcoholism consultation-liaison service is presented in detail; encouraging findings and future directions are discussed.
TL;DR: The use and abuse of other drugs by Los Angeles County probationers who use diazepam or cocaine has been studied and it is indicated that most cocaine users do not use other drugs in combination with their cocaine, but when another drug is used it is most likely phencyclidine, an opiate, or a sedative hypnotic.
Abstract: The use and abuse of other drugs by Los Angeles County probationers who use diazepam or cocaine has been studied. The results indicate that although diazepam is frequently used alone, it is more often used in combination with other drugs, particularly phencyclidine, opiates, and methadone. The results also indicate that most cocaine users do not use other drugs in combination with their cocaine, but when another drug is used it is most likely phencyclidine, an opiate, or a sedative hypnotic.
TL;DR: Results indicate that, during the 14 months following placement, these individuals exhibit fewer admissions to the Detoxification Center, less dependence on public assistance, less involvement with the criminal justice system, and are more often employed and abstinent than during the14 months prior to placement.
Abstract: Halfway houses for alcohol and drug abusers provide a structured, supportive residential program for individuals who are considered to be at risk for post-treatment failure. This study examines 641...
TL;DR: A new type of heroin has increased in frequency in the San Francisco Bay Area in the past three years and tends to be younger and more likely to be White and unemployed as compared to other heroin users.
Abstract: A new type of heroin has increased in frequency in the San Francisco Bay Area in the past three years. "Persian" heroin, coming to this country from Southwest Asia, differs from commonly-seen heroin in several ways: (1) distinctive marketing channels, (2) different routes of administration, (3) increased purity, (4) more severe withdrawal, and (5) different demographic characteristics of users. "Persian" heroin users tend to be younger and more likely to be White and unemployed as compared to other heroin users.
TL;DR: It was shown that levels of drug involvement vary directly with the maximum volume of alcohol used, and the spacing of drinking episodes and the patterning of alcohol intake may be more important determinants of polydrug involvement thant the quantity of alcohol consumed.
Abstract: The increasing prevalence of multiple drug use among adolescents presents researchers with complex conceptual and measurement issues. This work examines definitions of and indicators of multiple drug use involvement, as well as the interrelationships between indices of drug involvement incorporating different dimensions. Data regarding the relationship between patterns of alcohol use and illicit drug use in a population of 1473 teenagers interviewed in a northwestern metropolitan community indicate that: (1) regardless of the dimensions incorporated into four different indices of drug involvement examined, intercorrelations between indices were strong; (2) although the correlations between indices of drug involvement and overall levels of alcohol intake were uniformly weak, it was shown that levels of drug involvement vary directly with the maximum volume of alcohol used. Although the results of the current investigation must be viewed cautiously because of the concentration of heavy users of both alcohol...