Motivations for use

The development of prevention, risk reduction, and treatment strategies for people who use drugs requires a deep understanding of the use patterns and motivations behind alcohol and substance use. This session will explore these motivations in various contexts. One study examines heavy drinking trajectories among Norwegian youth in the context of declining overall alcohol consumption, exploring how life events and motivations shape drinking patterns over time. Another study investigates the motivations behind co-using opioids and benzodiazepines in the UK, identifying functional, and experiential drivers such as managing withdrawal and mental health while emphasising the associated overdose risks. A third study focuses on the perspectives of individuals who co-use these substances, highlighting harm reduction opportunities and the need for tailored interventions to address their unique risks.