Abstract
ABSTRACTDifferences in mental health (MH) of users of distinct psychoactive substances have been shown. Both substance use (SU) and MH in users are influenced by stressful life events. This study compared MH parameters in distinct groups of substance users and evaluated the impact of stress factors on these outcomes. Data stem from the longitudinal Swiss Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF) involving 4,475 young adult men. Distinct groups were created for the past 12 months’ use of psychedelics, MDMA, psychostimulants, and cannabis. MH measurements (depressive symptoms, overall MH, perceived stress, life satisfaction) were used as outcome variables, while indicators of past family functioning and stressful life events served as covariates. The MH of psychedelics users was not significantly different from the no-drug-use group, whereas poorer MH was found in the other SU groups. Observed effects were influenced by the tested stress factors. The absence of association between use of psychedelics and worsening of MH deserves further investigation in male and female samples. Stressful life experiences must be considered when assessing the MH of users of illicit substances. These findings suggest that some men practice SU as self-medication to cope with life adversity.
Highlights
There is growing evidence that the effects of substances on mental health (MH) depend on many distinct factors
When applying the full adjustment, the psychedelics group and the psychostimulants group were no longer significantly associated with Major Depression Inventory (MDI) scores
In all the outcomes and models tested, the psychedelics group was only significantly associated with one outcome and had the smallest or the second smallest effect sizes
Summary
There is growing evidence that the effects of substances on mental health (MH) depend on many distinct factors. The use of these substances is not considered as beneficial in itself, but rather as an adjunct ingredient within a psychotherapeutic process (MDMA- or LSD-assisted psychotherapy) (Jungaberle 2008; Mithoefer, Grob and Brewerton 2016) Following this concept, the interactions between the set (the individual), the substance (the pharmacological properties of the chosen agent), and the setting (the therapeutic framework and relationship) are considered to be of crucial importance. A recent study by our group revealed that about 5.5% of young men in Switzerland had used MDMA and 5.7% had used psychedelics during a 12-month observation period (Rougemont-Bücking et al 2017) As these substances are illicit, their use occurs in unstructured settings, and this absence of clear settings is of interest when assessing the effects of substances on young men’s health. The rationale for our study was to assess the relationship between SU in young men, occurring within an unstructured, real-life setting, and indicators of their MH
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
