Risky driving behaviours among stimulant drug users and the role of aggression: findings from a national survey.

Abstract

Stimulant drug users have a greater prevalence of risky driving behaviour. This study aimed to assess how far this association remains after adjusting for aggressiveness. Cross sectional interview study assessing associations between measures of risky driving behaviours as outcomes, measures of stimulant drug use as predictors and a measure of aggressiveness as a covariate. USA. Data were drawn from Wave 3 (2012-2013) of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III) (N=36, 309 aged ≥18 years). Stimulant drug use, past-year DSM-5 Stimulant Use Disorder, aggression and measures of risky driving were assessed using face-to-face interviews conducted using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule (AUDADIS-5) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Overall, 2,714 (8.3%) respondents indicated lifetime stimulant use, and 112 (0.3%) met criteria for Past Year DSM-5 Stimulant use disorder. Over 10% of ongoing stimulant users and one-third of respondents with DSM-5 stimulant use disorder reported stimulant-specific Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) in the past year (both p<0.0001). Adjusted for demographics and independent of aggression, lifetime stimulant users reported increased likelihood of driving [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.00, 95%CI= 2.63-3.42] or speeding under the influence of drugs (AOR= 3.39 95%CI= 3.01-3.82) and licence revocation (AOR= 2.16, 95%CI= 1.87-2.50) (all p< 0.0001). Past Year DSM-5 Stimulant use disorder was associated with all outcomes (AOR= 5.48 95%CI= 2.95-10.18, AOR= 3.87 95%CI= 2.23-6.70, respectively, all p< 0.0001), except licence revocation (AOR= 1.72). Stimulant use appears to be positively associated with risky driving behaviours after adjusting for aggressiveness.