mortality risk Archives

The Authors’ Own Words:

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Mortality risk in a sample of emergency department patients who use cocaine with alcohol and/or cannabis

Devin Gilmore, MA; Jennifer Zorland, PhD, CPH; Joanna Akin, MSPH; J. Aaron Johnson, PhD; James G. Emshoff, PhD; & Gabriel P. Kuperminc, PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 39, Iss. 3, 2018

“Few studies have examined the association between polydrug use and mortality, especially cocaine-related mortality. The present study helps advance understanding of this issue through examination of the mortality risk of substance users presenting to two urban emergency departments. Analysis revealed significantly elevated mortality risk for users of the cocaine-cannabis combination, suggesting this combination may present a greater risk to physical health than use of either drug alone. These results inform practice by helping clinicians more completely understand and explain the risks posed by polydrug cocaine/cannabis use.”