Mazandaran Association of Emergency Medicine Humanistic Studies and Social Researches 3092-6467 1 1 2025 11 17 The Prevalence of Illicit Drug and Alcohol Use in Trauma Patients 234445 10.22034/hssr.2025.560329.1011 EN Touraj Assadi Diabetes Research Center, Institute of Herbal Medicines and Metabolic Disorders, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Mahmood Moosazadeh Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Farzad Bozorgi • Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran • Orthopedic Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran • Gut and Liver Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Iraj Goli Khatir Department of Emergency Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Navid Khosravi Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Seyed Mohammad Hosseininejad Diabetes Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Seyed Hossein Montazer Department of Emergency Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Seyed Shahaboddin Adyani Department of Emergency Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Hamed Aminiahidashti Department of Emergency Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran 0000-0002-2115-1903 Journal Article 2025 11 17 Objectives: To determine the prevalence of psychoactive drug and alcohol use and their association with demographic factors such as age and gender, as well as accident characteristics among trauma patients presenting to the emergency department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari, Iran.<br /><br /> Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over two years and included all eligible patients (aged 18 and above) who presented to the emergency department due to traffic accidents. Urine samples were collected for biochemical screening using multi drug assesing techniques. Demographic data, accident details, and medical history were also recorded and analyzed. Chi-square and independent t-tests were used to assess statistical associations.<br /><br /> Results: The most commonly detected substances were cannabis (48.5%), methamphetamine (18.2%), and benzodiazepines (19.2%). Although substance use was observed across different age groups and patient roles (pedestrian, driver, passenger, etc.), most cases showed no statistically significant association between substance use and demographic variables. Specifically, no significant associations were found for methadone (p=0.382), cannabis (p=0.212), methamphetamine (p=0.292), amphetamine (p=0.232), benzodiazepines (p=0.134), tramadol (p=0.815), morphine (p>0.05), or tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) (p>0.05) with age, gender, or the patient's role in the accident. The only statistically significant findings were the association between alcohol use and accident occurrence (p=0.035), as well as gender differences in alcohol consumption (p=0.027).<br /><br /> Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for continuous and comprehensive monitoring of drug use among trauma patients, with particular attention to alcohol consumption. The study underscores the importance of developing targeted interventions at both local and national levels to prevent substance-related traffic accidents. https://www.hssres.com/article_234445_85becad89555532f6040a7597479d5eb.pdf