Alcohol use alone and in combination with other drugs among truck drivers on highways in São Paulo State, Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Traffic accidents cause more than a million deaths per year worldwide. Brazil is one of the leading countries in traffic accidents. Since alcohol is a known etiological factor for traffic accidents, the pattern of alcohol use alone and in combination with other drugs was assessed in a convenience sample of 684 truck drivers in São Paulo State, Brazil. 67.3% of participants reported alcohol use in the previous 30 days, 34.6% reported heavy drinking, 26% binge drinking, and 9.2% were at risk of developing alcohol addiction. Furthermore, 54.6% reported multiple drug use, mostly alcohol with tobacco and energy drinks. Truck drivers that reported multiple drug use showed heavier alcohol use than those who consumed only alcohol. Drinking and driving is problematic and can be aggravated by multiple drug use. The authors thus suggest monitoring the issue, which creates serious problems for users and society as a whole. (AU)