Psychoactives subtances use trajectories among individuals with spinal cord injury
Some social groups have a higher prevalence of psychoactive substance use than general population like persons with spinal cord injury. The first objective is to evaluate the prevalence of alcohol, illicit drugs and psychotropic drugs use in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) according to types of consumers. The second objective is to evaluate the evolution of the use according to the periods before injury, active rehabilitation and return home. A sample of 85 adults with spinal cord injury currently at home were interviewed between 2007 and 2008 using the Assessment and Screening of Assistance Needs- Alcohol and Drugs. The results show that. the number of high-risk consumers of alcohol significantly decreases when period of return home was compare to before injury. The results were not significant for the consumption of illicits drugs and sedative drugs. The results in reduced consumption of SPA in active rehabilitation period raises the need to motivate institutions to remain vigilant in regards with the consumption of SCI persons and physicians on their psychotropic drugs prescriptions.