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Armoon B, Eslamian A, Sepahvand E, Bayani A, Ahounbar E, Zarepour P, Pourjahani F, Mohammadi R. Substance use and associated factors among Iranian university students: a meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2021.1953165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Armoon
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ayoub Eslamian
- Department of Social Work, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Sepahvand
- Department of Nursing, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Lorestan, Iran
| | - Azadeh Bayani
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Elahe Ahounbar
- Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pardis Zarepour
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Fateme Pourjahani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Rasool Mohammadi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
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Forte A, Vichi M, Ghirini S, Orri M, Pompili M. Trends and ecological results in suicides among Italian youth aged 10-25 years: A nationwide register study. J Affect Disord 2021; 282:165-172. [PMID: 33418363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Documenting current trends and sources of variation in youth suicide rates is critical to inform prevention strategies. We aimed to document suicide mortality trends among Italian youth from 1981 to 2016 and to describe age-, gender- and urbanization-specific suicide rates. METHODS We used official mortality data for the period 1981-2016 for adolescents and young adults aged 10-25 years. We estimated standardized all-cause and suicide mortality rates per 100,000 individuals and used joinpoint regression analyses to determine annual mortality trends and significant changes in rate trends. Analyses were reported according to gender, age group (10-17 and 18-25 years), urbanization and suicide method. RESULTS From 1981 to 2016, 1,752 suicides were identified among youth aged 10-17 years (boy/girl ratio of 5.80 in 2016) and 9,897 suicides among youth aged 18-25 years (boy/girl ratio of 3.97 in 2016). Overall suicide rates remained stable for boys and showed a small decrease for girls. Suicide was most common in rural areas for boys and in metropolitan areas for girls. We observed a significant decrease in the use of firearms and poisoning; the most common suicide method was hanging for boys and falls for girls. LIMITATIONS We did not control for regional-level sociodemographic, economic and health care system characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Youth suicides were either stable (for boys) or slightly declining (for girls). We found differences according to urban versus rural areas, suggesting the need for a broader view of the phenomenon. Factors influencing these trends and gender differences in the geographical areas are important in delivering suicide prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Forte
- Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Substance Abuse, ASL Roma 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Vichi
- Statistical Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy, Via Giano della Bella 34, 00161 Rome, Italy, National Institute of Health (ISS).
| | - Silvia Ghirini
- National Center on Addictions and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Orri
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, Inserm U1219, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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New indicators to compare and evaluate harmful drug use among adolescents in 38 European countries. NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 2017. [DOI: 10.2478/nsad-2014-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims New trends in drug consumption reveal increasing polydrug use. Epidemiological indicators in the current use are based on the prevalence and the associated potential harm of a single “main” substance. We propose new indicators to evaluate frequency and potential harm of polydrug use. The indicators are used to compare drug use among countries based on survey data on adolescents' substance use in 38 European countries. Methods The approach is based on analysis of the frequency of use in the various population samples: lifetime use, twelve months use or last thirty days, depending on available data, and on the risk of harm for the substances used. Two indicators are provided: the frequency of use score (FUS) by summing the frequency of use of each substance, and the polydrug use score (PDS) that weight all the substances used by their risk. Results The indicators FUS and PDS were calculated and the distribution functions were used to characterise substance use across ESPAD countries. The analysis shows important differences in poly-substance use severity among countries presenting similar prevention policies. Conclusions Systematic analysis of substance use and the related risk are of paramount interest. The proposed indicators are designed to better monitor and understand consequences of polydrug use and to measure the resulting risk at country or population level. The indicators may also be used to assess the effects of policy interventions.
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Siliquini R, Colombo A, Berchialla P, Bert F. Binge drinking and psychoactive drug use in a cohort of European youths. J Public Health Res 2012; 1:83-8. [PMID: 25170451 PMCID: PMC4140312 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2012.e15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background TEN-D by Night is an international, multicentre, cross-sectional portal survey conducted on a large sample of young people in six European countries. This paper aims to investigate the alcohol and psychoactive drug consumption of this sample, with a focus on the prevalence of binge drinking and the poly-drug habits of the TEN-D cohort. Design and Methods The study population consisted of 4695 young people attending recreational sites on weekend nights. The intervention included two questionnaires and two psychoactive substance detection tests performed at the entry and exit of the recreational sites. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to predict the probability of binge drinking. Results Binge drinking was reported by 20% of the males and 13% of the females (P=0.001) before entry into the recreational sites and by 18% of the males and 11% of the females before entry into the clubs (P<0.001). Poly-drug use was reported by 71% of the males and 66% of the females. Living with a parent (OR 1.57; P=0.01), seeking employment (OR 1.66; P=0.005) and cannabis consumption (several times per month and several times per week, OR 1.94 and 3.66, respectively, P<0.05) were associated with binge drinking. Conclusions Our survey showed that it is possible to identify individuals and groups at higher risk of binge drinking. This identification would allow for a focus on specific targets and would facilitate the redesign of prevention programmes. The increased use of psychoactive substances among youths should be studied extensively to promote successful prevention campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Bert
- School of Public Health, University of Turin , Italy
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Inoue K, Fukunaga T, Okazaki Y, Fujita Y, Ono Y. An analysis of drug-related offenses in Japan: Focusing on a discussion of future preventive measures. J Forensic Leg Med 2011; 18:317-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2011.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2010] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Substance use and psychiatric symptoms in subjects referred to the Drug Addiction Services by the Prefecture. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1017/s1121189x00004632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Mohtasham-Amiri Z, Jafari-Shakib A, Khalili-Moosavi A. Prevalence and factors associated with Ecstasy use among college undergraduates in north of Iran-2005. Asian J Psychiatr 2011; 4:31-4. [PMID: 23050911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2011.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2009] [Revised: 05/25/2010] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a cross sectional study of 3958 college students in north of Iran in 2005 with an anonymous questionnaire that was adapted from the questionnaires used in "Monitoring the future". Three thousand seven hundred students responded (93.5%). Lifetime prevalence use of ecstasy, opium and cannabis was 4.3%, 2.7% and 2.4% respectively. The prevalence of current cigarette smoking was 19.5%. After the logistic regression, the factors influencing ecstasy use were use of other illicit drugs, alcohol and cigarette smoking (P<0.000), widow or divorced (ρ=0.007) and higher educational background of mother (ρ=0.019).
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Mohtasham-Amiri
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Guilan University, Rasht, Iran
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Jones BC, Ben-Hamida S, de Vasconcelos AP, Kelche C, Lazarus C, Jackisch R, Cassel JC. Effects of ethanol and ecstasy on conditioned place preference in the rat. J Psychopharmacol 2010; 24:275-9. [PMID: 19282425 DOI: 10.1177/0269881109102775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The club drug ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine or MDMA) is often taken recreationally with ethanol (EtOH). We have shown previously that EtOH potentiates the psychomotor effects of MDMA in rats. More recently, we demonstrated in striatal slices that MDMA produced preferential release of serotonin, but when combined with EtOH, the preferential release shifted to dopamine, raising the possibility that administration of EtOH may increase the reward effect of MDMA. To address this possibility, adult male Long-Evans rats were tested for conditioned place preference following treatment with saline, EtOH (0.75 g/kg), MDMA (6.6 mg/kg) or the combination. The only condition that produced a preference for the compartment associated with the drug was that of the drug combination. The current data are in line with anecdotal reports and one study in humans, indicating that EtOH alters the pharmacological effects of MDMA including self reports of enhanced or prolonged euphoria. Thus, administration of EtOH might increase the risk for compulsive use of MDMA, an issue that warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- B C Jones
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Yen CF, Cheng CP, Tsai JL, Hsu SY. Family, peer and individual factors related to methylenedioxymethamphetamine use in Taiwanese adolescents. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2007; 61:552-7. [PMID: 17875035 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2007.01706.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Examination of the correlates of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use is crucial for the development and implementation of effective prevention programs for adolescents. The aim of the present study was therefore to identify the family, peer and individual factors that were related to MDMA use in Taiwanese adolescents. Two hundred adolescents who used MDMA and 200 who did not use MDMA were recruited into the study. The family, peer and individual factors related to MDMA use were examined using chi(2) automatic interaction detection (CHAID) analysis. The results indicated that the adolescents who had more friends involved with substance use, disruptive family and attitude favoring MDMA use were more likely to use MDMA. Multiple factors of family, peer and individuals were related to MDMA use among Taiwanese adolescents. This knowledge may be helpful when designing and implementing preventive intervention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Fang Yen
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, and Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Ben Hamida S, Plute E, Bach S, Lazarus C, Tracqui A, Kelche C, de Vasconcelos AP, Jones BC, Cassel JC. Ethanol-MDMA interactions in rats: the importance of interval between repeated treatments in biobehavioral tolerance and sensitization to the combination. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2007; 192:555-69. [PMID: 17345065 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-007-0752-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2006] [Accepted: 02/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE In our previous work, we showed that ethanol (EtOH) potentiates 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced hyperlocomotion while protecting against its hyperthermic effects. Whereas the effect on activity were found on all days (although declining over the three first days), the protection against hyperthermia completely disappeared on the second day. The latter effect was previously thought to reflect tolerance to ethanol or the combination, per se. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we changed the treatment regimen to irregular and longer intervals between treatments (48, 120, and again 48 h) to check if tolerance was still observed. RESULTS We found progressive sensitization of locomotor activity to EtOH (1.5 g/kg, i.p.)+MDMA (6.6 mg/kg, i.p.), and a partial EtOH protection against MDMA-induced hyperthermia that persisted after the first drug challenge day. When the monoamine neurotransmitters, dopamine, and serotonin were assessed 2 weeks after treatment, we found no consistent effect on the concentration of any of these neurotransmitters, whatever the treatment. Similarly, we found that regional brain concentrations of MDMA were not significantly affected by EtOH at a 45-min post-treatment delay; however, the overall ratio of the metabolite 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) to MDMA was lower (overall, -16%) in animals treated with the combination compared to MDMA alone, indicating possible contribution of pharmacokinetic factors. This difference was especially marked in the striatum (-25%). CONCLUSIONS These findings shed new light on the consequences of EtOH-MDMA, taken together at a nearly normal ambient temperature, both in terms of motivation and potential risks for recreational drug users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Ben Hamida
- LINC-UMR 7191, Université Louis Pasteur-CNRS, Institut Fédérératif de Recherche 37, GDR CNRS 2905, Strasbourg, France
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Akgoz S, Akkaya C, Berkay F, Turkmen N, Kan I, Kirli S. Trends in the Annual Incidence Rates of Narcotics Felons Arrested over the Last 30 Years in Metropolitan Bursa, Turkey. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2007; 212:253-63. [PMID: 17592213 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.212.253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Illegal substance use is a serious problem all over the world. In order to effectively combat substance abuse it is important that both the particular features of drug users and the culture-specific risk factors that go along with drug abuse be identified. The present study was carried out in Bursa, Turkey, in order to document annual changes in the frequency of felons arrested of narcotics offenses and to establish the socio-demographics of these narcotics felons. Among the 2,230 narcotics felons reviewed, 24.3% had been charged with drug dealing but not consumption (profit-driven felons [PDFs]), 19.0% were narcotics felons charged with both dealing and consumption ([hard core drug users HCDUs]), and 56.7% were narcotics felons charged only with consumption and possession (not so hard core drug users [NHCDUs]). The NHCDUs were younger (< 30 years) than both the HCDUs and PDFs, while most of the PDFs and HCDUs were married. Despite the fact that the male/female ratio of the Bursa population was nearly 1:1 for the past 30 years, 93.0%, 95.0% and 96.0% of the PDFs, HCDUs, and NHCDUs, respectively, were male. It was also found that the most commonly used illicit substance in Bursa over this period of time was cannabis. Over the course of the 30-year period examined, the annual incidence rate of narcotics felons arrested increased from 0.4257 per 10,000 to 1.2389 per 10,000. Determining the socio-demographic characteristics of HCDUs and NHCDUs would be useful in preventing substance use before substance users become addicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semra Akgoz
- Biostatistics Department, Uludag University Medical Faculty, Bursa, Turkey.
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Piccoli GB, Soragna G, Putaggio S, Consiglio V, Mezza E, Bonetto A, Geuna S. Drug use and kidney donation: what are high-risk behaviors today? Transplant Proc 2006; 38:1221-3. [PMID: 16797268 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2006.02.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND "Social risk behaviors" are usually considered as contraindications for organ donation. The organ shortage, however, necessitates expansion of the donor pool. Reconsideration of the policy toward substance abusers may be important. Opinions of the overall population may be of use to define this cultural-sensitive issue. METHODS A semistructured questionnaire on organ donation, including opinions on drug use (cannabis and cocaine), was administered to various groups of the general public and caregivers: high school students (liceo classico: 59 students, median age 18 years; istituto tecnico: 108, age 17); first- and fourth-year medical school (77, age 19; 46, age 22); continuing medical education (44, age 32); third-year nursing school (31, age 23); "senior citizen university" (51, age 63). RESULTS Cannabis use was mainly accepted for kidney donation (48.6% yes, 26.6% no, 29.8% uncertain/blank), but cocaine use was not (22.1% yes, 44.2% no, 33.7% uncertain/blank). In the univariate analysis, opinions differed according to age, sex, and belonging to the health care teams upon multivariate analysis being a member of the health care team was the strongest predictor of responses (P<.01). CONCLUSION It is difficult to define social risk behaviors. Since opinions are important for organ donation, further studies and discussion are needed to periodically analyze our policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G B Piccoli
- Nephrology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Abstract
AIM Although several relatively recent reviews have summarized the neuropsychiatric effects associated with chronic ecstasy use, there is no published comprehensive review of studies on the acute subjective effects (ASEs) of MDMA/ecstasy. DESIGN The present study reviewed the prevalence, intensity and duration of ASEs collected from 24 studies that provided frequency data on the prevalence of self-reported ecstasy effects and/or provided data on the intensity of ecstasy effects. FINDINGS Although hundreds of ASEs have been reported following MDMA consumption, we identified a subset of effects reported repeatedly by meaningful proportions and large numbers of participants across multiple investigations, most of which were either emotional (e.g. anxiety, depression, closeness, fear, euphoria, calmness) or somatic (e.g. nausea/vomiting, bruxism, muscle aches/headache, sweating, numbness, body temperature changes, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, increased energy). Only one sexual ASE (sexual arousal/increased sensual awareness), one cognitive ASE (confused thought), one sensory-perceptual ASE (visual effects/changes in visual perception), one sleep-related ASE (sleeplessness) and one appetite-related ASE (decreased appetite) were reported across five or more investigations. Three factors-number of hours between ingestion and assessment, dose level, and gender-have been associated with the acute subjective experience of MDMA/ecstasy. CONCLUSIONS This review provides useful information for clinicians and researchers who want to understand the desirable and undesirable ASEs that may motivate and restrain ecstasy use, for public health advocates who seek to reduce biomedical harms (e.g. fainting, dehydration, shortness of breath, bruxism) associated with recreational use of MDMA/ecstasy, and for educators who wish to design credible prevention messages that neither underestimate nor exaggerate users' experiences of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea A Baylen
- Bowling Green State University, Department of Psychology, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA.
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de Visser RO, Rissel CE, Smith AMA, Richters J. Sociodemographic correlates of selected health risk behaviors in a representative sample of Australian young people. Int J Behav Med 2006; 13:153-62. [PMID: 16712433 DOI: 10.1207/s15327558ijbm1302_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
To facilitate the development of interventions to reduce health risk behavior among young people, we designed this study to compare risk behavior among young people and older people, to compare risk behavior profiles between young men and women, and to identify sociodemographic correlates of risk behavior among young people. Computer-assisted telephone interviews with a representative sample of 19,307 Australian men and women (response rate 73.1%) assessed alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, injection drug use, and unprotected intercourse. Respondents aged 16 to 24 reported less healthy behavior than older people. Although men and women aged 16 to 24 had similar profiles of health risk behavior, correlates of these behaviors differed for men and women. There were few consistent sociodemographic correlates of different risk behaviors. The results suggest that young women are now as important a priority as young men for interventions. Young people remain an important target group for health promotion, with nonheterosexual young people a particular high-risk group.
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Siliquini R, Morra A, Versino E, Renga G. Recreational drug consumers: who seeks treatment? Eur J Public Health 2005; 15:580-6. [PMID: 16037075 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cki031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recreational drug consumption represents a complex issue, because of the lack of a shared definition, settings and patterns of consumptions, and poorness of evidence-based treatments. In spite of the great number of users, just few seek specific treatment, probably representing those at major risk of continuing and problematic use. The general objective of this study was to report the characteristics and main consumption patterns of recreational drug consumers treated in Regione Piemonte (Italy), in order to formulate hypotheses suitable for further research aimed at establishing more effective preventive intervention and treatment. METHODS All addiction treatment services in the region were required to fill in, for each user, a questionnaire reporting: contact of the user with the service, socio-demographic data, drugs consumption and interventions/treatments. RESULTS Among 441 users, 70.3% were new users, 85.5% were males and the average age of consumption onset was 22 years. Psychiatric and traumatics events were present in 13.3% and in 17.9% of cases, respectively. The most frequent primary substances were cocaine (76.9%) and ecstasy (13.8%). Substances taken in association with primary drug are quoted in 75% of cases. CONCLUSIONS The users that get in touch with services are those showing greater problems, representing, therefore, the main target for preventive public health interventions. Some interesting points can be noted: among patients treated, cocaine represents the main issue; females seem to be more sensitive to recreational drug effects; social class (education), settings and use habits are similar for recreational drugs users and heroin users.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Siliquini
- Department of Public Health, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Sumnall HR, Tyler E, Wagstaff GF, Cole JC. A behavioural economic analysis of alcohol, amphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy purchases by polysubstance misusers. Drug Alcohol Depend 2004; 76:93-9. [PMID: 15380293 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2004] [Revised: 04/06/2004] [Accepted: 04/20/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Behavioural economic models of substance choice describe the relationship between changes in unit price and consumption. As the majority of UK non-dependent substance misusers are polysubstance misusers, we investigated the influence of price upon hypothetical purchases of alcohol, amphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy. Forty-three current polysubstance misusers (25 males, 18 females; mean age 21.3 +/- 2.8) were recruited into the study. As the price of alcohol rose, demand was inelastic. Amphetamine was a substitute for alcohol, cocaine was a compliment drug and ecstasy was independent. Demand for amphetamine was elastic as its price rose, but only alcohol was identified as a substitute drug and other drug purchases were independent of amphetamine price. As the price of cocaine increased, demand was elastic. Alcohol and ecstasy were substitute drugs but amphetamine purchase was independent, indicating asymmetrical substitution of alcohol and cocaine. Finally, demand for ecstasy was also elastic, but only cocaine substituted as ecstasy price rose. These results extend previous findings in substance dependent populations using behavioural economic models and support the opinion that purchasing substances is a complex process, involving both socio-economic and psychopharmacological factors. Whilst subjects expressed a preference for ecstasy, these behavioural findings indicated that alcohol was their drug of choice when economic considerations were brought into play. Self-reported drug preference, although facilitating between subjects experimental design, may therefore not accurately represent real world polysubstance misuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry R Sumnall
- Centre for Public Health, 8 Marybone, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 2AP, UK
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Morley KC, Li KM, Hunt GE, Mallet PE, McGregor IS. Cannabinoids prevent the acute hyperthermia and partially protect against the 5-HT depleting effects of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) in rats. Neuropharmacology 2004; 46:954-65. [PMID: 15081792 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2004.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2003] [Revised: 12/15/2003] [Accepted: 01/07/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid-MDMA interactions were examined in male Wistar rats. MDMA (4 x 5 mg/kg or 2 x 10 mg/kg over 4 h on each of 2 days) was administered with or without Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (4 x 2.5 mg/kg), the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist CP 55,940 (2 x 0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg) or the cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716 (2 x 5 mg/kg). Co-administered Delta 9-THC and CP 55,940 but not SR 141716 prevented MDMA-induced hyperthermia, causing a powerful hypothermia. Co-administered Delta 9-THC, CP 55,940 and SR 141716 all tended to decrease MDMA-induced hyperactivity. Co-administered Delta 9-THC provided protection against the long-term increases in anxiety seen in the emergence test, but not the social interaction test, 6 weeks after MDMA treatment. Co-administered Delta 9-THC and CP 55,940, but not SR 141716, partly prevented the long-term 5-HT and 5-HIAA depletion caused by MDMA in various brain regions. SR 141716 administered with CP 55,940 and MDMA prevented the hypothermic response to the CP 55,940/MDMA combination but did not alter the CP 55,940 attenuation of MDMA-induced 5-HT depletion. These results suggest a partial protective effect of co-administered cannabinoid receptor agonists on MDMA-induced 5-HT depletion and long-term anxiety. This action appears to operate independently of cannabinoid CB1 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten C Morley
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Abstract
The functional equivalency for three indices of lifetime polydrug use was examined in a sample of adolescents (N = 794). The following indices were included in analyses: (a) a count of lifetime self-report of substances used; (b) an index weighted by the severity of the substances used; and (c) a hierarchical index of substance use. Analyses for each index was conducted twice with abstinent youth (no report of substances over their lifetime) included and excluded from analyses. Relationships between the indices with gender, age, ethnicity, and country of origin were examined. The only difference between the indices found was for ethnicity in the full sample. African Americans had higher scores on the hierarchical substance use index than Latinos or Asian/Pacific Islanders. With the exception of the relationship between the hierarchical index and ethnicity, the relationships between the other demographic variables with indices were consistent. Implications for utilizing the count or weighted index versus a hierarchical index of lifetime polydrug use are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl D Sneed
- School of Public Health, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA.
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19
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Abstract
This study aimed to examine demographic, lifestyle, mental health and personality factors associated with illicit recreational drug use, heavy alcohol consumption and smoking in a community-based population sample. A postal questionnaire survey was conducted of people who were selected at random from the Electoral registers of Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil. Illicit drug use was associated with risk taking, neuroticism, being male, having a higher education qualification, not being married, being unemployed, being aged under 25 years, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption and living in Cardiff. Smoking was associated with anxiety, depression, being female, lower income and educational qualifications, looking after the family or home, being aged over 25 years, illicit drug use and heavy alcohol use. Heavy alcohol consumption was associated with not being depressed, experiencing sleeping problems, risk taking, being male, higher income, no higher educational qualification, not being married, being a student, being aged under 25 years, smoking and illicit drug use. Illicit drug use, smoking and heavy alcohol use were strongly associated with each other. Illicit drug use was associated with alcohol use and, to an even greater extent, with smoking. Illicit drug and alcohol use were associated with similar characteristics, but smoking was associated with a rather different demographic combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J K Wadsworth
- Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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20
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Abstract
AIM This study examines patterns of illicit drug use in a national sample of young men and women in Israel over a 20-year period. DESIGN Annual cross-sectional data are analysed from an ongoing systematic sample of soldiers being discharged from active military service during the years 1982-2001. SETTING An anonymous questionnaire is self-administered to soldiers on the day of discharge in an unsupervised setting. PARTICIPANTS Between 1200 and 2800 individuals participated in the survey annually. A total of 40 518 people were included in the analysis. This sample frame is reflective of all Israel Defense Forces (IDF) releasees below the rank of Captain. Military recruits in Israel comprised about 80% of the country's 18-year-old Jewish male cohort in any given year, and about two-thirds of the female population of this age. FINDINGS Time-trends of drug use in Israel parallel those in the United States and European countries, although at much lower rates. Several indicators suggest a recent increase, particularly among women. Drug use is strongly inversely related to education level. Marijuana accounts for 65-75% of drug use in this young adult population. CONCLUSION Jewish cultural background and the military policy of zero tolerance are assumed contributors to the low drug use levels. Recent upward trends suggest that intensified prevention, surveillance and research efforts are in order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehuda D Neumark
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine and Epidemiology Unit, Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel.
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21
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Abstract
There is a large body of work investigating concurrent associations between polysubstance use and psychopathology, but much of this work has either pre-dated or failed to account for the complex and culturally specific patterns of contemporary drug use. In particular, attendees of dance music events report a greater drug history than their peers and engage in a unique lifestyle. To further investigate the consequences of this type of drug use, 100 subjects who regularly attended dance music events were administered a battery of self-report psychiatric symptom scales. This battery contained the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D), the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Padua Inventory Revised and additional questions about substance use. Our study population included abstainers and drug users with a wide history of use. We demonstrated strong associations between use of many different drugs, suggesting that polydrug use is the norm in this type of population. We found weak, but statistically significant, correlations between use of alcohol (p < 0.05), amphetamine (p < 0.01) and ecstasy (p < 0.01) with self-reported score on the BAI. There were also positive associations between dissociative symptomatology and the use of amphetamine (p < 0.05) and cocaine (p < 0.05). Furthermore, weekly unit intake of alcohol positively correlated with score on the CES-D (p < 0.05). As polydrug use was the norm in this sample, we performed regression analysis to investigate the contribution of multiple drug use on self-report. This showed that weekly use of alcohol, and frequency of use of amyl nitrate and cigarettes were significant predictors of BAI score. However, the majority of subjects reported being unworried by these symptoms, which may represent a lack of self-awareness, or acceptance of them as the subacute effects of substance use. It remains to be determined at what point adverse effects of drug use begin to interfere with day-to-day life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry R Sumnall
- Department of Psychology, Eleanor Rathbone Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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22
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Abstract
AIMS The purpose of this study was to establish the factors associated with Ecstasy use in secondary school students in Turkey. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS This is a survey of a representative sample drawn from cities in different geographical regions in Turkey in 1998 and 2001. The questionnaire was administered to a total of 18,556 and 11,911 10th-grade students in 1998 and 2001, respectively. MEASUREMENTS The questionnaire administered in the study was adapted from the questionnaires used in 'Monitoring the Future' study in the United States and ESPAD (the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs). It included questions about demographic characteristics, family characteristics, school life, social contacts and use of substances. FINDINGS While the percentage of those who used Ecstasy at least once in their life-times was 2.65% in 1998, the figure reached 3.31% in 2001. Male gender, older age, use of alcohol, cannabis, heroin and cocaine, non-medical use of psychotherapeutic drugs and participation in a meeting concerning the adverse effects of substance use were found to be significant variables predicting 'ever use' of Ecstasy in both years by logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS Ecstasy use, while low in Turkey, appears to be on the increase and follows a pattern in terms of correlates that is similar to other illicit drugs. Whatever the causes behind the rise in Ecstasy use, creative, personalized and informative educational programmes should be conducted in all educational institutions to curb Ecstasy use.
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23
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de Almeida SP, Silva MTA. Ecstasy (MDMA): effects and patterns of use reported by users in São Paulo. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PSIQUIATRIA (SAO PAULO, BRAZIL : 1999) 2003; 25:11-7. [PMID: 12975674 DOI: 10.1590/s1516-44462003000100004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE As there are no studies about the use of ecstasy in Brazil, our aim was to identify the effects and patterns of use of this substance among users in the city of São Paulo. METHODS Subjects were recruited through the snowball technique. Fifty-two subjects of both genders who had been using ecstasy frequently and recently were interviewed. The instrument was a self-reported and anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS The sample's mean age was 24 years, mostly composed by single, college graduated middle-class subjects. Among the interviewed users, 61.6% used ecstasy at least once per week and 50% of them took one pill per episode of use and 46% more than one. Drug taking was usually performed in company of several people (63%) in contexts related to night leisure, such as rave parties (78.8%), dancing clubs (69.2%) and parties (53.8%). Ecstasy pills were mainly purchased from friends or acquaintances in order to favor a dancing mood in those places. Most subjects used ecstasy associated to other psychoactive drugs (93.3%), mainly Cannabis, followed by tobacco and LSD. The effects attributed to ecstasy were mainly positive. DISCUSSION The use of ecstasy in São Paulo has had a recreational pattern quite similar to those described in previous studies. The assessment of the use of ecstasy as positive also agrees with the findings of the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Pereira de Almeida
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavior of the the Institute of Psychology of the University of São Paulo. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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