scholarly journals The Change in Psychoactive Substance Consumption in Relation to Psychological Stress During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Uruguay

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Ruiz ◽  
Florencia Semblat ◽  
Ricardo Pautassi
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use ◽  
Substance Consumption

Objective: to analyze how the health crisis associated with the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected psychoactive substance consumption in Uruguay. Method: An online survey was answered by 1916 Uruguayan citizens between March 26th and April 5th, 2020. They were surveyed on psychoactive substance use before and after the instauration of a recommended quarantine, and on increases in frequency and volume of use (during the quarantine) of the psychoactive substance they reported as having consumed the most in the year prior to the quarantine, and psychological distress experienced during the last month. Results: The main substances consumed during the quarantine were alcohol, tobacco, marihuana, and psychopharmaceuticals. Approximately 29.0% increased the volume (and 17.7% the frequency) of use of the substance they had consumed the most the year before the instauration of the quarantine. Moreover, 5.6% initiated the consumption of a new psychoactive substance during the quarantine, mostly marihuana and psychopharmaceuticals. Psychological distress was significantly higher in women, in participants under 30 years old and in those that increased the volume of their preferred substance or increased the volume of the second preferred psychoactive substance. Membership into the group reporting an increase in the volume of use of the preferred psychoactive substance was associated with greater psychological distress. Conclusions: These results indicate an association between the instauration of the recommended quarantine in Uruguay and greater psychoactive substance use during the period, as well as an association between increased psychoactive substance use during this period and levels of psychological stress. These results are relevant in terms of public health and public policies. Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, Uruguay, psychoactive substances

scholarly journals Prevalence of psychoactive substance use among acutely hospitalised patients in Oslo and Moscow: a cross-sectional, observational study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e032572
Author(s):  
Danil Gamboa ◽  
Benedicte Jørgenrud ◽  
Evgeny A Bryun ◽  
Vigdis Vindenes ◽  
Evgenya A Koshkina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Medicinal Drugs ◽  
Medicinal Drug

ObjectivesThe use of psychoactive prescription medication is increasing in the general population. This is a cause for concern, particularly among the elderly, where physiological changes related to senescence increase the risk for adverse effects. While previous studies regarding psychoactive substance use have generally been population based, we sought to determine the frequency of such use among acutely hospitalised patients.SettingTwo emergency departments (EDs), one in Oslo and one in Moscow, admitting patients to Departments of Internal Medicine.Participants5583 patients aged ≥18 years participated, distributed evenly between genders and study locations. Patients unable to give informed consent were excluded. The study sites did not admit patients with surgical conditions and/or injuries.Primary and secondary outcomesThe presence of psychoactive substances was determined through blood analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Secondary outcomes comprised demographic data (including age, gender, employment and marital status), degree of psychological distress, concurrent alcohol use, and self-reported alcohol, psychoactive drug and illicit substance use.Results32.3% in Oslo and 12% in Moscow were positive for one or more psychoactive medicinal drugs (benzodiazepines, z-hypnotics, opioids or barbiturates). In Oslo, medicinal drug use was associated with being aged 61 to 70 years (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.61 to 3.58) compared with 18 to 40 years, and psychological distress (OR 2.61, 95% CI 2.06 to 3.30). In Moscow, psychoactive medicinal drug use was also associated with psychological distress (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.39), and was less common among patients aged 41 to 60 years (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.88) than among patients aged 18 to 40 years.ConclusionA significant proportion of admitted patients used one or more psychoactive medicinal drugs, in particular benzodiazepines (Oslo and Moscow) and opiates (Oslo). We suggest formalised screening for inappropriate prescription drug use and increased adherence to clinical prescription guidelines.

scholarly journals Use of psychoactive substances in students at a public university

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meire Luci da Silva ◽  
Franciele Santos Rego ◽  
Nathalia Fagundes Roque ◽  
Vitor Engrácia Valenti
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Public University ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Drug Addicts ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Current Frequency ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use

Introduction: The use of psychoactive substances by the student population has been the object of various studies in Brazil. Objective: To determine the prevalence of substance use among students. Methods: Quantitative study with a closed questionnaire based on standardized assessment instruments was developed. It consists of questions related to types of psychoactive substance use, abuse, frequency and duration of use, self-criticism regarding the use, consequences of use in relation to health, and misdemeanors committed under the influence of psychoactive substances. The sample included the participation of 268 students. A total of 183 (68.3%) questionnaires were analyzed, and only those with positive result for substance abuse at some point in life, the remainder, 85 (31%) questionnaires, had negative responses to psychoactive substances. Results: Students’ responses to the two years surveyed indicated that the first psychoactive substance used was alcohol (77.9%), followed by tobacco use (10.9%), and marijuana (7.6%). Of the students surveyed, 145 (79.2%) answered that still make use of psychoactive substances, and the current frequency of use varies from one or more times per week. When asked about the possibility of being or becoming drug addicts, 169 (92.3%) responded that they are not or will not become dependent. Conclusion: The results indicate the high rate of substance use among college students surveyed, and point to their contradiction to consider such psychoactive substances harmful to their health.

Religious Uses of Licit and Illicit Psychoactive Substances in a Branch of the Santo Daime Religion

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward MacRae
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Santo Daime ◽  
Brazilian Society ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use ◽  
Constant Source

The article deals with the different effects of tolerant and prohibitionist policies associated with psychoactive substance use in Brazil. Whereas the licit use of ayahuasca has been successfully incorporated into mainstream Brazilian society, the ritual use of cannabis by one of the Santo Daime religious groups has never been fully accepted and remains a constant source of problems for the ayahuasca churches, their followers and society at large.

scholarly journals Associations between psychoactive substance use and sensation seeking behavior among drivers in Norway

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ragnhild Elén Gjulem Jamt ◽  
Hallvard Gjerde ◽  
Håvard Furuhaugen ◽  
Giovanni Romeo ◽  
Vigdis Vindenes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Polydrug Use ◽  
The North ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Psychoactive Substance Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Sensation Seeking Scale

Abstract BackgroundDrug use and risky driving is associated with sensation seeking. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between use of psychoactive substances and levels of the sensation seeking personality trait as measured with the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4 among drivers in Norway. MethodA cross-sectional design was applied to estimate the association between psychoactive substance use and sensation seeking behavior. Drivers in normal traffic were included in two roadside surveys: one in the north (September 2014 – October 2015) and the other in the south-east of Norway (April 2016 – April 2017). Oral fluid was analyzed for alcohol and psychoactive drugs, and data on sex, age and time of participation were recorded. Participants filled in the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4 questionnaire. ResultsA total of 8053 drivers were included, of which 32% were women and 62% were under 40 years. The prevalence of alcohol was 0.3%, stimulants 0.6%, tetrahydrocannabinol 1.4% and benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics 2.0% and polydrug use 0.6% Associations between the use of tetrahydrocannabinol or benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics and a low score on the “thrill and adventure seeking” domain of the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4 (OR = 1.723, 95% C.I. = 1.001- 2.966, p = 0.05) were found. Associations were also found between the use of stimulants and the highest scores on the “experience seeking” (OR = 2.085, 95% C.I. = 1.084-4.009, p = 0.028) and “disinhibition” (OR = 4.791, 95% C.I. =1.748-13.135, p = 0.002) domains of the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4. No associations were found between sensation seeking behavior and alcohol or polydrug use. ConclusionA high degree of sensation seeking was found among drivers who had used stimulants, in contrast to drives who had used tetrahydrocannabinol and benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics who showed a low degree of sensation seeking. The combination of sensation seeking behavior and the use of stimulants might lead to increased risky behavior and thus traffic crashes.

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