scholarly journals Substance Use in the Club Scene of Rome: A Pilot Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Emiliano Vento ◽  
Giovanni Martinotti ◽  
Eduardo Cinosi ◽  
Matteo Lupi ◽  
Tiziano Acciavatti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Smart Drugs ◽  
History Of ◽  
Public Health Challenge ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire ◽  
Very High

Objective. Over the last few years, a wide number of unregulated substances have been marketed on the Web and in smart and head shops; they are usually advertised as legal alternatives to commonly known drugs and are defined as “smart drugs,” “legal highs,” and “novel psychoactive substances” (NPS). Aim of our work is to describe use habits and distribution of NPS in a population of young adults in Rome club scene.Methods. A self-administered questionnaire was proposed to subjects over 18 years of age at the entrance of 5 nightclubs in Rome. Socioeconomic characteristics and substance use were investigated.Results. Preliminary results give evidence that 78% of respondents have a lifetime history of NPS use. In addition, 56% of the sample has consumed illicit drugs in the past and 39% has used psychoactive substances in the 12 hours preceding the questionnaire administration.Conclusions. A significant proportion of subjects report use of novel psychoactive substances; traditional illicit drugs consumption, particularly cocaine, appears to be very high as well in the club scene. These data highlight a serious public health challenge, since pharmacological, toxicological, and psychopathological effects linked to interactions among all these substances may be unpredictable and sometimes fatal in vulnerable individuals.

A prospective observational study of emergency department presentations following novel psychoactive substance use

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E Henshall ◽  
Callum WD Innes ◽  
Scott R Morrison ◽  
Blair Wilson ◽  
Ryan A Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Unique Challenge ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
History Of

Background and aims Novel psychoactive substances are compounds intended to mimic the effects of illicit drugs. They provide a unique challenge to healthcare, as complications of their use and their impact on services are relatively unknown. This study aims to determine nature of presentations, patient demographics and impact on healthcare. Methods Novel psychoactive substances users who presented to a large urban emergency department over 4 weeks were prospectively identified and followed for 1 year. Patients over 13 years old were eligible for inclusion. Information regarding patient demographics and presentations was collected. Results During the study period, 53 patients (39 male), mean age 32.6 ± 8.9 (±standard deviation), presented 148 times with complaints relating to novel psychoactive substances use. Study population characteristics included history of illicit drug use (83.0%), intravenous drug use (64.2%), psychiatric diagnosis or symptoms (56.6%), methadone prescription (52.8%) and having no fixed abode (37.7%). Injection was the most common method of use (72.3%), Burst the most commonly named agent (19.6%) and behavioural change the most common presenting complaint (31.1%). Patients collectively spent 10,620 h in hospital over 1 year. Conclusion This study highlights differences between the young population targeted by government campaigns regarding novel psychoactive substances use and the presenting population to hospital, and the associated burden on the National Health Service.

scholarly journals Exploring the intersections between novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and other substance use in a police custody suite setting in the north east of England

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Addison ◽  
Kelly Stockdale ◽  
Ruth McGovern ◽  
William McGovern ◽  
Iain McKinnon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Police Custody ◽  
North East ◽  
The North

Novel psychoactive substances in a psychiatric young adults sample: A multicenter, observational study

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S311-S311
Author(s):  
M. Lupi ◽  
T. Acciavatti ◽  
S. Marini ◽  
E. Cinosi ◽  
R. Santacroce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Multicenter Observational Study ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Population

IntroductionComorbidities between psychiatric diseases and consumption of traditional substances of abuse are common. Nevertheless, there is no data regarding the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the psychiatric population.ObjectivesThe purpose of this multicentre survey is to investigate the consumption of a wide variety of psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric sample.MethodsBetween September 2013 and November 2015, a questionnaire has been administered, in ten Italian psychiatric care facilities, to a sample of 671 psychiatric patients (48.5% men; 51.5% women), aged between 18 and 26 years (mean age: 22.24).Results8.2% of the sample declared use of NPS at least once in a lifetime and 2.2% have assumed NPS in the last three months. The NPS more used were synthetic cannabinoids (4.5%), followed by methamphetamine (3.6%). The three psychiatric diagnosis with more frequent NPS consumption were bipolar disorder (23.1%), personality disorders (11.8%) and schizophrenia and related disorders (11.6%). Bipolar disorder was associated with NPS consumption (P < .001). Among the illicit drugs investigated, 31.4% of the sample was cannabis smoker and 10.7% cocaine user. Moreover, 70.6% of the sample declared alcohol use and 47.7% had binge drinking conducts. In univariate regression analysis, bipolar disorder was positive associated with binge drinking while obsessive compulsive disorder resulted negative associated.ConclusionsThe use of novel psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric population appears to be a frequent phenomenon, probably still underestimated. Bipolar disorder shows an association with NPS use. Therefore, careful and constant monitoring and accurate evaluations of possible clinical effects related to their use are necessary.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Regulation and Decriminalisation of Illegal Substances in Thailand

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasmon Kalayasiri ◽  
Teerayuth Rungnirundorn ◽  
Robert Ali ◽  
John Marsden
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Middle Income Country ◽  
Drug Control ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Country Level ◽  
History Of ◽  
Legal Controls

Psychoactive substances – chemical compounds which can alter a person’s mood, thoughts, and behaviors may be liable to misuse and cause addiction. Internationally, many strategies have been implemented in order to limit the supply and demand of illegal substances, with a wide variation at the country level. Thailand is an upper-middle income country in Southeast Asia. Since 2015, Thai authorities and policymakers have instituted many changes to the legal controls on illegal drugs. The aim of this review was to summarise the history of drug control and regulation in Thailand, focusing on opioids (including Kratom), methamphetamines and cannabis, and the outcome of recent strategies. Recent measures towards decriminalising substance use disorders are also discussed.

scholarly journals “Hot” and “Cold” Cognition in Users of Club Drugs/Novel Psychoactive Substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Savulich ◽  
Owen Bowden-Jones ◽  
Robert Stephenson ◽  
Annette B. Brühl ◽  
Karen D. Ersche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Club Drugs ◽  
Psychoactive Substances

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are popular “club/party” drugs that first attracted attention in the UK in 2009 and remained legal until the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act criminalized their distribution. Unlike “traditional” illicit drugs, very little is known about the influence of their analogs on neuropsychological functioning. We characterized the cognitive and emotional profile of NPS/polydrug users using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and EMOTICOM test battery in adult male (aged 20–49 years) recreational users without psychiatric comorbidities (n = 27; “psychonauts”), service users attending a UK specialist “Club Drug” Clinic for problematic use (n = 20) and healthy control volunteers without significant drug-taking histories (n = 35). Tasks were selected to distinguish “hot” cognitive processes that are highly influenced by emotion from “cold” cognitive processes that are largely independent of emotional influence. Both user groups reported significantly higher sensation-seeking traits compared with non-users. Recreational NPS users demonstrated more risk-taking behavior compared with controls and treatment-seeking NPS users showed poorer learning, episodic memory and response inhibition compared with the other two groups. These effects persisted, when controlling for age, intelligence, alcohol and cannabis use severity, nicotine dependence, trait anxiety, depression, childhood adversity, impulsivity, and sensation seeking. Overall, recreational NPS users showed elevated “hot” (emotion-laden) cognition in the absence of “cold” (non-emotional) cognitive deficits, whereas “cold” cognitive dysfunction was pronounced in individuals seeking treatment for problematic NPS use. High trait impulsivity and poor self-control may confer additional risk to NPS/polydrug use severity and separate those seeking treatment from those using NPS recreationally.

scholarly journals Prevalence and reasons of use of different psychoactive substances among prisoners at Malir Prison, Karachi.

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (07) ◽  
pp. 1488-1492
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ilyas Jat ◽  
Muhammad Tarique Arain ◽  
Saima Qureshi ◽  
Kheenpal Das ◽  
Anum Haider
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Male Prisoners ◽  
Study Setting

The use psychoactive substances are on the rise in general population and even seen more among those who are involved in criminal activities. There are many reasons for such irrational use of psychoactive substances. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and reasons of use of different psychoactive substances among prisoners at Malir prison, Karachi. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional study. Setting: Malir prison, Karachi. Period: 22nd April 2019 to 26th May 2019. Material & Methods: This study was conducted at district Malir prison, Karachi. All the cases who were imprisoned due to any reason and had history of psychoactive substance use were enrolled. Thorough history and examination was carried out. Ethical considerations were taken as per international guidelines. Results: Among all 490 male prisoners who used to take different type of psychoactive substance, majority were of age ranges of 21 to 35 years and 55% were married while 44% were single and 1% were divorced or separated. Out of 490 cases 453 (92%) were using different substances thorough routes other than injections while 37 (8%) were injection users. Majority of prisoners 252 (52%) were using Heroin while 86 (17%) were using Crystals, 74 (15%) Cannabis, 37 (8%) Synthetic substances, 24 (5%) Ice, 6 (1%) Opioid and 11 (2%) were using some other type of substance. The most common reason of substance use was peer pressure followed by fun and frustration. Conclusion: Substance use prevalence is high in prison. Existing services for the management of drug dependence are not meeting the global standard of evidence based comprehensive drug treatment and rehabilitation.

Relationship between gender and substance use among treatment-seeking gamblers

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Toneatto ◽  
Wayne Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
General Population ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Women Gamblers ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use

Very little is known about gender differences in psychoactive substance use among gamblers. In this study, 200 individuals seeking treatment for problem gambling were assessed with respect to lifetime and current use and abuse of licit and illicit substances. As a group, they were found to have experience with psychoactive substances exceeding that reported for the general population. There were no gender differences in patterns of illicit drugs; however, the women gamblers reported greater experience with psychiatric medications over the lifetime and during the treatment and follow-up periods.

Substance Use among Poisoned Teenage Patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasim ZAMANI ◽  
Hossein HASSANIAN-MOGHADDAM ◽  
Alireza NOROOZI ◽  
Mohammad Bagher SABERI ZAFARGHANDI ◽  
Ali-Asghar KOLAHI
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background: Substance use is a growing problem in many countries especially among teenagers. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and complications of substance use in teenagers referring to a tertiary hospital following intoxication. Methods: In a cross-sectional study between 2012 and 2013 in Loghman Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran, sixteen substances were checked in teenagers referring due to poisoning. They divided into two groups of young (13 to <16 yr; group 1) and old-teenagers (16 to 19 yr; group 2). History of lifetime substance use and drug use within the week prior to admission were recorded. Results: Mean (range) age of young teenagers was 14.5±0.6 [13, 15] and 17.7±1.1 [16, 19] in old-teenagers with female predominance. Of 264 teenagers, four in group 1 and 27 in group 2 were admitted due to drug overdose. Six and 69 patients in groups 1 and 2 claimed that they had used some kind of substance in the week prior to admission. Twenty (37%) and 106 (50.5%) patients in the young and old-teenager groups were defined as drug users and rates of unreported substance use were 27.8% (15 cases) and 23.8% (50 cases) respectively. Ninety-six substance users (36.4%) had referred due to poisonings other than recreational intoxication (P<.001). Screening toxicological lab data showed significant opioid and sedative exposure in old-teenagers. Conclusion: It seems young adolescents hide their drug abuse more than old teenagers. Using illicit drugs screening tests may help us to provide hidden rate of abuse in teenagers.  

Genetic and environmental risk factors in the aetiology of illicit drug initiation and subsequent misuse in women

1999 ◽  
Vol 175 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth S. Kendler ◽  
Laura M. Karkowski ◽  
Linda A. Corey ◽  
Carol A. Prescott ◽  
Michael C. Neale
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Environmental Risk Factors ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Initial Exposure ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Individual

BackgroundSubsequent to initial exposure to the use of a psychoactive substance, psychoactive substance use disorder (PSUD) may or may not develop.AimsTo investigate the relationship between the risk factors for initiation and the subsequent misuse of psychoactive substances.MethodThe lifetime history of illicit substance use and misuse was obtained by telephone interview with 1934 members of female–female twin pairs. We apply a novel model, which estimates the role of genetic and environmental risk factors that influence initiation and those specific to misuse, to three classes of illicit psychoactive substances.ResultsThe individual-specific environment and family environment influenced the probability of initiation, but only individual-specific environment had an impact on the probability of subsequent misuse. Genetic factors which influence the risk of initiation and of misuse were identified.ConclusionsAetiological factors that influence drug initiation and subsequent misuse are correlated but not identical. Family environment is an important determinant of risk for drug experimentation. Two classes of genetic risk factors act on the liability to PSUD: those that influence the probability of initiation and those that influence the risk of misuse.

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