Prevalence of Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS) Use in Patients Admitted to Drug Detoxification Treatment.
drug dependence
drug detoxification
multiple substance use
novel psychoactive substances
opiate dependents
pregabalin abuse
Journal
Frontiers in psychiatry
ISSN: 1664-0640
Titre abrégé: Front Psychiatry
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 101545006
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2020
2020
Historique:
received:
04
04
2020
accepted:
03
06
2020
entrez:
1
8
2020
pubmed:
1
8
2020
medline:
1
8
2020
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
About 15 years ago, a diverse group of new recreational psychotropic substances began to emerge, which were marketed for example as "legal highs," "research chemicals," or "designer drugs." These substances were later subsumed under the label "Novel Psychoactive Substances" (NPS). Important NPS classes are cathinones, synthetic cannabimimetics, phenethylamines, and herbal drugs. The health care system for psychotropic substance use disorders (SUDs) traditionally focused on a few substances, such as alcohol, heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, or cannabis. Users of illicit substances often engage in polydrug use. However little is known about the prevalence of NPS use within the group of "classical" illicit substance users. We investigated lifetime and recent use of NPS and other drugs in patients who underwent in-patient detoxification treatment from illicit drugs in Germany. In a multicenter study with eight participating facilities, patients admitted to treatment underwent a standardized interview at admission, concerning their past and current substance use. The interview comprised classical substances of abuse, NPS, and rarely used substances such as LSD. In addition, participating sites had the opportunity to analyze their patients' routine drug screenings by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which permitted detection of NPS. Interviews from 295 patients could be analyzed. Most patients were opiate dependent and multiple substance users. About 32% reported use of synthetic cannabimimetics during lifetime, but usually only a few times. An important reason for their use was that NPS were not detected by drug testing in prisons or drug treatment facilities. Cathinones, herbal drugs or other NPS had rarely been used during lifetime. NPS use during the last 30 days before admission was nearly zero. This was confirmed by urine analysis results. In contrast, lifetime and current use of opiates, alcohol, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and cannabis was high. In addition, 18% reported of regular unprescribed pregabalin use during lifetime, and 20% had recently used pregabalin. Patients admitted to drug detoxification treatment showed multiple substance use, but this did not include NPS use. The diversion of legal medications such as pregabalin in this group is a serious concern.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
About 15 years ago, a diverse group of new recreational psychotropic substances began to emerge, which were marketed for example as "legal highs," "research chemicals," or "designer drugs." These substances were later subsumed under the label "Novel Psychoactive Substances" (NPS). Important NPS classes are cathinones, synthetic cannabimimetics, phenethylamines, and herbal drugs. The health care system for psychotropic substance use disorders (SUDs) traditionally focused on a few substances, such as alcohol, heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, or cannabis. Users of illicit substances often engage in polydrug use. However little is known about the prevalence of NPS use within the group of "classical" illicit substance users.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
We investigated lifetime and recent use of NPS and other drugs in patients who underwent in-patient detoxification treatment from illicit drugs in Germany.
METHODS
METHODS
In a multicenter study with eight participating facilities, patients admitted to treatment underwent a standardized interview at admission, concerning their past and current substance use. The interview comprised classical substances of abuse, NPS, and rarely used substances such as LSD. In addition, participating sites had the opportunity to analyze their patients' routine drug screenings by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which permitted detection of NPS.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Interviews from 295 patients could be analyzed. Most patients were opiate dependent and multiple substance users. About 32% reported use of synthetic cannabimimetics during lifetime, but usually only a few times. An important reason for their use was that NPS were not detected by drug testing in prisons or drug treatment facilities. Cathinones, herbal drugs or other NPS had rarely been used during lifetime. NPS use during the last 30 days before admission was nearly zero. This was confirmed by urine analysis results. In contrast, lifetime and current use of opiates, alcohol, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and cannabis was high. In addition, 18% reported of regular unprescribed pregabalin use during lifetime, and 20% had recently used pregabalin.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Patients admitted to drug detoxification treatment showed multiple substance use, but this did not include NPS use. The diversion of legal medications such as pregabalin in this group is a serious concern.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32733288
doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00569
pmc: PMC7358402
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
569Commentaires et corrections
Type : ErratumIn
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Specka, Kuhlmann, Sawazki, Bonnet, Steinert, Cybulska-Rycicki, Eich, Zeiske, Niedersteberg, Schaaf and Scherbaum.
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