Lifetime use of non-nicotine drugs in electronic cigarette devices among a sample of individuals in substance use disorder treatment

• Published in: Addictive behaviors reports 2022-12, Vol.16, p.100465-100465, Article 100465
• Main Authors: Masson, Carmen L., Gubner, Noah R., Benowitz, Neal, Hosakote, Sindhushree, Le, Thao, Guydish, Joseph R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drug use; E-cigarettes; Electronic cigarettes; Electronic nicotine delivery system; Short Communication; Substance use disorder treatment; Vaping
• ISSN: 2352-8532; 2352-8532
• DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100465

•Examined prevalence and predictors of other substance use in e-cigarettes.•Half of lifetime e-cigarette users engaged in other substance use in e-cigarettes.•Almost half had vaped drugs for which they sought treatment.•Other substance use was less likely among people who were older or Black. Limited data are available on other substance use in e-cigarettes (OSUE). The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence and predictors of OSUE among a sample of individuals in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. In 2019, we surveyed 553 individuals from 18 residential SUD treatment programs in California, USA. Individuals reporting any lifetime use of an e-cigarette containing nicotine (n = 279) were asked about ever use of drugs other than nicotine in their e-cigarette. Those who reported use of non-nicotine drugs in their e-cigarette also reported what psychoactive drugs were used. Among all the participants, 25 % (n = 139) . reported ever engaging in OSUE. The most common drugs used in vaping devices were marijuana/THC/hash, (70.5 %, n = 98) and amphetamines/methamphetamine (51.1 %, n = 71). Among those who had engaged in OSUE, 44.6 % (n = 62) had vaped drugs for which they sought treatment. Older persons (OR = 0.93, CI 0.91, 0.95) and African Americans (OR = 0.48, CI 0.24, 0.94) were less likely to have ever engaged in OSUE, while persons in treatment for opioid use were more likely (OR = 1.71, CI 1.08, 2.71). Among a sample of clients in SUD treatment, about 25% had ever engaged in OSUE, with THC/marijuana and amphetamines most commonly reported. Further research is needed to evaluate the OSUE to understand the reasons for use and implications among persons enrolled in SUD treatment.