Low prevalence of risk drinking in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum problems

Kaltenegger, Helena C.; Doering, Sabrina; Gillberg, Christopher; Wennberg, Peter; Lundström, Sebastian

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106671

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The gender difference, albeit the small sample size, is in line with recent findings by Anderberg and Dahlberg, who demonstrated that girls treated in outpatient clinics for SUD have more substance use compared to boys [ 31 ]. In another Swedish study, it was shown that the prevalence of risky drinking in twins, with and without an autism proxy diagnosis, was higher among girls at the age of 15 years [ 32 ]. In the US, studies have found an increased risk for females in early-mid adolescence of becoming underage drinkers [ 33 ], a possible reason for this might be changes in gender expectations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risky Alcohol Use and Comorbidity in a Swedish Adolescent Emergency Psychiatric Inpatient Population

Eberhard

Rask

Höglund

et al. 2021

Journal of Addiction

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Introduction. Underage drinking is associated with poor mental health. Early detection for risky alcohol use is recommended, although less implemented in adolescent care. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of risky alcohol use and psychiatric comorbidity. Methods. Over a nine-month period, 145 eligible adolescents admitted to the child and adolescent emergency unit in Malmö, Sweden, were offered computerized screening with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) and Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT). Results. Ninety-six patients (73 girls and 23 boys) agreed to participate. The most common diagnoses were affective disorder (41%) and anxiety disorder (27%). Risky alcohol use was found among 33% of the girls and 22% of the boys ( p = 0.45 ) and did not differ between diagnostic categories. There was a positive correlation between AUDIT-C and DUDIT scores ( p = 0.019 ). Among adolescents with risky alcohol use, 33% of the girls and 60% of the boys also had a risky drug use. Conversely, 47% of the girls and 60% of the boys with risky drug use also had a risky alcohol use. Conclusion. In view of the poor prognosis of risky alcohol use in adolescents, alcohol and drug habits should be assessed when adolescents seek psychiatric emergency care.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risky Alcohol Use and Comorbidity in a Swedish Adolescent Emergency Psychiatric Inpatient Population

Eberhard

Rask

Höglund

et al. 2021

Journal of Addiction

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“…To draw more accurate conclusions, it is essential to compare rates of alcohol use and misuse within large, population-based samples of autistic and non-autistic adults. A recent longitudinal twin study in Sweden reported a lower prevalence of risk drinking in autistic adolescents and young adults at ages 15, 18 and 24 years compared to their twins without autism ( Kaltenegger et al, 2021 ). However, the study found a continual increase in the prevalence of risk drinking among autistic individuals with age (rising to 13% at age 24 years), and it is therefore important to acknowledge the higher mean age of our sample, potential for the prevalence of hazardous drinking among autistic adults to increase across the lifespan and to be comparable to rates from the general population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Demographic and psychological predictors of alcohol use and misuse in autistic adults

Bowri

Hull

Allison

et al. 2021

Autism

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This study explored demographic and psychological predictors of alcohol use and misuse in a high-functioning, community sample of 237 autistic adults aged 18–75 (mean = 41.92 and standard deviation = 13.3) recruited in the United Kingdom. An online survey measured demographic information, autistic traits, depression, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, mental well-being, social camouflaging and alcohol use with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. The sample was divided into three groups (non-drinkers, non-hazardous drinkers and hazardous drinkers) and multinomial logistic regression models were used to investigate associations between alcohol use and demographic factors, autistic traits, mental health variables and social camouflaging. Our results demonstrated a U-shaped pattern among autistic adults, with non-drinkers and hazardous drinkers scoring significantly higher than non-hazardous drinkers on levels of autistic traits, depression, generalised anxiety and social anxiety. In multivariate analysis, autistic non-drinkers were less likely to be male (odds ratio = 0.44; 95% confidence interval = 0.22–0.87) and had more autistic traits (odds ratio = 2.50; 95% confidence interval = 1.19–5.28). Gender and level of autistic traits may be the most significant factors in predicting alcohol use in the autistic community. Lay abstract Alcohol use and misuse are associated with a variety of negative physical, psychological and social consequences. The limited existing research on substance use including alcohol use in autistic adults has yielded mixed findings, with some studies concluding that autism reduces the likelihood of substance use and others suggesting that autism may increase an individual’s risk for substance misuse. This study investigated demographic and psychological predictors of alcohol use and misuse in a sample of 237 autistic adults. An online survey was used to obtain data on demographic information, autistic traits, depression, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, mental well-being, social camouflaging and alcohol use. The sample was divided into three groups (non-drinkers, non-hazardous drinkers and hazardous drinkers) in order to investigate associations between alcohol use and demographic factors, autistic traits, mental health variables and social camouflaging. Our results demonstrated a U-shaped pattern among autistic adults, with non-drinkers and hazardous drinkers scoring higher than non-hazardous drinkers on levels of autistic traits, depression, generalised anxiety and social anxiety. Autistic non-drinkers were less likely to be male and had more autistic traits. Gender and level of autistic traits may be the most significant factors in predicting alcohol use in the autistic community.

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“…Furthermore, autistic people are at increased risk of problematic alcohol, other substance use, and gambling-related harms (including gambling disorder) 13 – 15 particularly when there is co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 16 , 17 or a family history of addictions. 18 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying the most important research, policy and practice questions for substance use, problematic alcohol use and behavioural addictions in autism (SABA-A): A priority setting partnership

Sinclair

Aslan

Agabio

et al. 2023

Comprehensive Psychiatry

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Low prevalence of risk drinking in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum problems

Cited by 9 publications

References 51 publications

Risky Alcohol Use and Comorbidity in a Swedish Adolescent Emergency Psychiatric Inpatient Population

Risky Alcohol Use and Comorbidity in a Swedish Adolescent Emergency Psychiatric Inpatient Population

Demographic and psychological predictors of alcohol use and misuse in autistic adults

Identifying the most important research, policy and practice questions for substance use, problematic alcohol use and behavioural addictions in autism (SABA-A): A priority setting partnership

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