Characterizing users of new psychoactive substances using psychometric scales for risk-related behavior

IntroductionStudies investigating risk-related behavior in relation to new psychoactive substance (NPS) use are sparse. The current study investigated characteristics of NPS users by comparing risk-related behavior of NPS users to that of illicit drugs (ID) users and licit substances users and non-users (NLC) users.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study we included 528 individuals across an age range of 18–72 years. Using a web-based questionnaire we collected self-report data on substance use, sensation seeking, impulsivity, peer substance use and risk perception of substance use.ResultsNPS and ID users had a higher level of sensation seeking compared to NLC users (NPS users: p < 0.001; ID users: p < 0.001). NPS users (p < 0.001), but not ID users (p = 0.16), had increased levels of impulsivity compared to NLC users. NPS users had significantly higher scores for sensation seeking (F_1,423 = 51.52, p < 0.001) and impulsivity (F_1,423 = 6.15, p = 0.01) compared to ID users. Additionally, NPS users had significantly more peers who use substances compared to ID and NLC users. Also, NPS and ID users had lower risk perception for most substances than NLC users. NPS users had lower risk perception for most substances than ID users.ConclusionsThe findings highlight that NPS users show substantial more risk-related behavior than both ID and NLC users. Therefore, NPS users might be considered as a distinctive group of substance users that need another approach in terms of prevention.     

Self-administration of psychoactive substances by the monkey

Summary A method has been developed which permits monkeys to self-administer drug solutions, at will, through indwelling intravenous catheters. Psychological dependence on the effects of a drug occurs when a naive monkey voluntarily initiates and maintains self-administration of the drug. If, in addition to psychological dependence, the drug also produces psychotoxicity, either directly or upon abrupt withdrawal, it has a potential abuse liability.In the present study monkeys developed psychological dependence on morphine, codeine, cocaine, d-amphetamine, pentobarbital, ethanol, and caffeine. All of these drugs except caffeine produced psychotoxicity. Monkeys did not develop psychological dependence on nalorphine, morphine-nalorphine mixtures, chlorpromazine, mescaline or physiological saline.Preliminary reports of this study were presented at the Fall Meeting of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 1964. Pharmacologist 6, 182 (1964).Supported by USPHS Grants MH 2814 and MH 5320 and by Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences.     

Use of licit and illicit substances among adolescents in Brazil--a national survey

Objective

We estimate the prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and illegal substance use in a national representative sample of adolescents. We also estimate how socio demographic characteristics, household environment and mental health are associated with substance misuse.

Method

This is a cross-sectional study using data from the first Brazilian National Alcohol Survey, which gathered information on the use of psychoactive substances in 761 participants aged 14 to 19 years old. Weighted logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios.

Results

More than half of the adolescents interviewed were regular alcohol users and one out of ten were abusers and/or dependents. Older male adolescents living in urban areas were more likely to present alcohol related disorders and to smoke. Age had an inverse association with illegal substance use. Smokers and those using illegal substances were more likely to report domestic violence while those with alcohol abuse/dependence were more likely to have depression.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and illicit substance consumption among Brazilian adolescents is staggering. Young males with mood disorders from urban areas are more at risk of developing alcohol disorders while illegal drug use is highly associated to household dysfunction in early life. Brazilian growing economy will possibly lead to increased levels of substance use among adolescents if new prevention measures are not implemented. The intensification of law enforcement strategies to reduce psychotropic substances access is required.     

Alcohol use and sexual behavior among "Black" adolescents.

This paper reports on findings collected from 1993-1995 from an ethnographic interview study that investigated whether a pattern of HIV-related risk behavior varies across subpopulations of minority adolescents by studying behaviors and perceptions of risk for HIV infection among two ethnic groups of 314 Black adolescents-African-American and Haitian Blacks. Of those who had sex within the past 6 months and were current drinkers, 69% said they did not have sex after drinking. Although many of the adolescents believe that drinking has a disinhibitory effect and may be a factor in nonuse of condoms, alcohol is but one element in a constellation of factors related to sexual intercourse and condom use.     

MDMA and sexual behavior: ecstasy users' perceptions about sexuality and sexual risk

This study examines the relationship between MDMA (Ecstasy), sexual behavior, and sexual risk taking. The sample consisted of 98 current and former users of MDMA. Several strategies were utilized to recruit respondents and data were collected through in-depth interviews during 1997 and 1998. The majority of respondents had used MDMA during the 6-month period prior to the interview and a large percentage had consumed the drug on 100 occasions or more. Most respondents reported feelings of emotional closeness while consuming MDMA but without the desire for penetrative sex. Others, however, reported that MDMA increased sexual arousal and some respondents (in particular, gay and bisexual females) had used MDMA specifically for sexual enhancement. Sexual risk taking (e.g., having multiple partners, engaging in sex without a condom) was prevalent among respondents who did engage in sexual activity during MDMA episodes. Explanations for the findings are offered and implications for prevention/intervention are discussed.     

Novel psychoactive substances: the pharmacology of stimulants and hallucinogens

There are increasing levels of concern relating to the rapidly evolving novel psychoactive substances/NPS and web markets’ scenarios. The paper aims at providing an overview of the clinical pharmacological issues related to some of the most popular NPS categories, e.g. stimulants and hallucinogens. NPS intake is typically associated with the imbalance of a complex range of neurotransmitter pathways/receptors, namely: dopamine; cannabinoid/CB1; and 5-HT_2A. The intake is almost invariably undetectable with standard screening tests. Hence, it may frequently occur that the acute management of NPS misusers will need to focus on decreasing levels of both self/outward-directed aggression and agitation. Benzodiazepines may be considered as first line treatment. Alternatively, propofol and/or antipsychotics can be administered. Focus will be as well on treatment of possible rhabdomyolysis and hyperthermia. Indeed, future studies should inform better tailored management/treatment strategies.     

Some new psychoactive substances: precursor chemicals and synthesis-driven end-products

This paper describes some of the new classes of 'designer drugs' being encountered today by forensic scientists and law enforcement agencies in Europe, the United States, and Australia. In particular, it concentrates on new cathinone derivatives, the tryptamines, new-generation phenethylamines, and some of the synthetic cannabinoids. The synthetic approaches towards many of these designer drugs including a discussion of the chemical precursors used in the syntheses are presented. Many of today's so-called designer drugs exist as a result of legitimate research into medical conditions and the natural product chemistry. A link between synthetic approaches published in the open scientific and medical literature and the exploitation of this research by clandestine manufacture of drugs for illicit purposes is drawn.     

Prevalence of new psychoactive substances: A retrospective study in hair

New psychoactive substances are conquering the drug scene. Police seize different colourful packages with exceptional names. They are declared as ‘bath salts’, ‘plant food’, or ‘research chemical powders’. Little is known about the actual prevalence of these drugs. Reanalysis of hair samples from routine cases concerning the presence of new psychoactive substances or ‘smart drugs’ should provide insight into changing patterns of designer drugs. All hair samples from 2009 and 2010 that originally tested positive for amphetamines or MDMA (N = 325) were reanalyzed for new or smart drugs such as 4‐fluoroamphetamine, piperazines (BZP, mCPP and TFMPP), cathinones (4‐MMC (mephedrone), methylone, butylone, ethylone, MDPV, methcathinone and cathinone), methylphenidate and ketamine. Hair snippets were extracted using a two‐step extraction procedure. The analytes were analyzed using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) (electrospray ionization; multiple‐reaction‐monitoring mode – information dependent acquisition – enhanced product ion scan). New psychoactive substances were found in 120 cases (37%). Concerning the piperazine drugs, mCPP was positive in 34 (10.5%) cases and TFMPP in one case. Five mCPP cases were also positive for trazodone, an antidepressant which is metabolized to mCPP. In 11 (3%) cases, 4‐MMC was detected. Concerning the smart drugs, methylphenidate was found in 16 (5%). Ketamine was found in 45 (14%) cases. 4‐Fluoroamphetamine was identified in 12 (4%) cases and methylone in one case.In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of these drugs. Consequently, at least the most common ones (e.g. mCPP, KET, 4‐MMC and 4‐FA) should be included in screening procedures in clinical and forensic toxicology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

性罪错人员的社会、心理和行为及性病危险因素研究

目的：了解海口市性罪错人员的社会、心理和行为及性病危险因素。方法：对2007～2008年海口市所辖收教所的2674名性罪错人员进行体检以及性病实验室检测。并采用预先设计好的问卷,进行开放性面对面问答。结果：在2674名被检测者中．共检出1695名学员感染性病,检出率为63．39％。其中HIV感染者8例,男、女学员各4例。女学员性病检出率明显高于男学员;调查显示文化水平低下、性及STD知识匮乏、婚恋受挫、家庭破裂、性道德扭曲、经济利益驱动和精神空虚,是性罪错人员的主要因素;性罪错人员感染性病多与未婚,性伴多而不固定,不坚持使用避孕套．STD知识匮乏有关。结论：性罪错人员是性病的重要传染源,加强对性罪错人员的性病流行病学监测及健康教育是预防和控制性病流行的有效措施之一。     

Detection and characterization of emerging psychoactive substances by ion mobility spectrometry

Rapid detection and identification of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) continues to present significant analytical challenges to forensic and analytical chemists. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has been traditionally considered as the analytical technique of choice to detect illicit drugs in security points in airports, borderlines and customs. Databases of the reduced mobility (K₀) values of illicit drugs are available in the scientific literature and they should be completed with data of emerging designer drugs. In this paper, we have evaluated the effect of different measurement conditions and determined the K₀ values of an important number of NPS including different families; such as phenethylamines, cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids and tryptamines among others to be incorporated to the existing data to provide a rapid detection and identification of this emerging threat. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use and awareness of effects of anabolic steroids and psychoactive substances among a cohort of nigerian professional sports men and women

In 1992, 250 professional sports people (72 per cent mean, males age 25 years), mostly among those invited for screening for the Olympics, completed a questionnaire, aimed at highlighting the prevalence of use of anabolic steroids and other psychoactive substances, and the factors associated with the use of drugs. The prevalence of life-time use of drugs was as follows: 1.2 per cent for anabolic steroids, 0.8 per cent for amphetamines, 0.4 per cent for cocaine, 0.8 per cent for cannabis and 5.6 per cent for codeine. On the four-item CAGE for screening for alcoholism, 3.6 per cent scored 1, while 1.2 per cent scored 2 and above. Those on steroids denied regular use of the drug, while one of them admitted having experienced DSM-IIIR symptoms of dependence while on steroids. Compared with estimated rates in general population samples in Nigeria, drug-use rate among our cohort is mostly lower, but not significantly different from what obtains in general society. Our cohort seemed largely ignorant of the deleterious effects of the use of anabolic steroids, they are liable to peer group pressure to use drugs, and seemed exposed to the temptation of being asked to be drug couriers. A programme of drug education for sports people is needed to address these issues, and keep the prevalence of drug-use low.