Acute and chronic substance use among patients with a road traffic injury in Mexico City.

OBJECTIVE

To report on the prevalence acute and chronic substance use among patients attending an emergency department (ED) in Mexico City because of a road traffic injury (RTI) and possible effect modifiers for the relationship between acute alcohol and cannabis use and RTI.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Adult RTI patients, admitted to an ED (January to April 2022). Breath Alcohol Concentration and six types of drugs were assessed using a saliva screen test. Patients also self-reported their alcohol and drug use.

RESULTS

13.9% reported an alcohol use disorder in the last 12 months. Acute alcohol use was frequent, with 18.9% being positive. We found a large association between habitual and acute substance use. In a case-crossover analysis, there was no significant effect modification.

CONCLUSION

Patients positive for substance use at entry to the ED should have a comprehensive evaluation of their substance abuse habits and a referral to a mental health specialist.