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Christine Darredeau

Dalhousie University

2 papers in the library · 355 citations · publishing 2006-2012

Papers

Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students

Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental June 1, 2006 Sean P. Barrett, Christine Darredeau, Robert O. Pihl 276 citations

Among 149 university students who use drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are frequently used together and with other substances. When alcohol is taken with cannabis, psilocybin, MDMA, cocaine, amphetamine, methylphenidate, or LSD, alcohol is typically consumed first. People drink more alcohol when they also use cocaine or methylphenidate than when they drink alone. Tobacco smoking increases above usual rates when used with alcohol, cannabis, psilocybin, MDMA, cocaine, amphetamine, LSD, or methylphenidate. Cannabis use patterns do not systematically relate to other substances. The findings indicate that the way a substance is used often depends on what other substances are taken at the same time.

Substance use initiation: The role of simultaneous polysubstance use

Drug and Alcohol Review May 21, 2012 Janine V. Olthuis, Christine Darredeau, Sean P. Barrett 79 citations

Among 226 cannabis users, most first-time use of harder illicit drugs—including cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, heroin, and hallucinogens—involved simultaneous use of other substances, with at least 75% of participants reporting co-administration. Alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis were the substances most often used alongside the new drug. First-time use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis itself showed less simultaneous polysubstance use. The findings suggest that episodes involving alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis may directly facilitate the initiation of new substance use, pointing to potential risk factors for substance use progression.