A comprehensive analysis from the University of Cambridge has identified significant stroke risks associated with recreational drug use. Amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabis were found to increase the likelihood of stroke compared to non-users.
Amphetamine users face the highest risk, with usage nearly tripling stroke risk for individuals under 55. The study, which synthesized data from over 100 million individuals, indicates amphetamines increase ischemic stroke risk by 137% and hemorrhagic stroke risk by 183% across all adult age ranges.
Cocaine use also presents a substantial threat, nearly doubling the risk of any stroke and more than doubling the risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Genetic analysis suggests a causal link between cocaine use and certain stroke types.
While cannabis use shows a lower, yet significant, stroke risk, primarily for ischemic strokes, opioids were not found to be linked to increased stroke risk in this analysis. Researchers emphasize that illicit drug use is a preventable stroke risk, with young people potentially unaware of the severity.