Binge drinking and its consequences for drug users under treatment

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate binge drinking and its consequences in drug users. A quantitative approach, descriptive study developed with 140 subjects of a Psychosocial Care Center – Alcohol and Drugs. A socio-demographic information, severity of alcohol dependence scale and severity of drug use scale were applied. The sample was characterized by adult male (76.4%), single (77.1%), non Caucasian (54.3%), low level of education (57.1%) and Catholic (55.8%). They were crack users (38.6%), polydrug users (32.1%) and cocaine users (29.3%), the majority (80.7%) consisted of binge drinking users who had severe levels of alcohol dependence (93.8%). Threatening, aggression and fighting were observed in the sample. The results indicate the need to provide more intensive interventional strategies to control alcohol consumption in this vulnerable segment of population in order to minimize injuries.