Illicit Drug Abuse Research Articles

Drug Abuse Perception and Associated Variables among Secondary School Students in Duhok City

Background: Nowadays, illicit drug abuse is becoming a serious public health problem worldwide specifically in Iraq, affecting the entire community. This study aimed to determine the secondary school students' perception in Duhok City about drug abuse and its association with their demographic characteristics. Methods: A descriptive (cross-sectional) study which is conducted from September 2022 to January 2023 utilizes an assessment approach in order to determine the secondary school perception of drug abuse at nine boy secondary schools in Duhok City. A probability sample was adapted to select students from each secondary school to reach (135) students. Data were collected through the direct interview technique using the questionnaire as a tool for data collection, which is constructed through the extensive review of the related literature that consisted of two assessment parts. The first one is concerned with the assessment of the secondary school student's demographic characteristics and the second part of the assessment tool is concerned with assessing the student's perception of drug abuse. Data were analyzed through the application of frequency, percentage, cut-off points, and Fisher Exact test. Such analyses are computed by using the SPSS, IBM program version 23. Results: The findings indicate that approximately half of the students who participated in the present study have good perceptions about each of the general perceptions of drug abuse and perception of physical, behavioral, and Psychological warning signs of such abuse. While they have an average perception of the factors that increase vulnerability and alteration of brain function due to drug abuse. Conclusion: According to the study results and discussion, more than fifty percent of secondary school students had a high perception of drug abuse.

Интеграция Республики Узбекистан в глобальную систему контроля за наркотиками

The article examines the current trends in the development of the drug situation in Central Asia in the context of integration processes taking place in Uzbekistan. The increase in drug abuse in Central Asia requires states to take joint measures to combat the spread of narcotic drugs and new psychoactive substances. At the same time, the central role in this issue is assigned to the United Nations and its specialized organizations. In this context, there is a need to expand Uzbekistan’s international anti-drug cooperation within the framework of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. This Commission is the central body that develops policy in the UN drug control system. Its tasks include constantly analyzing the current drug situation in the world, developing proposals aimed at combating the drug problem, and strengthening the control system. It is expected that Uzbekistan’s participation in the Commission as a full member will provide a number of advantages in the field of drug control and combating illicit trafficking. At the same time, consistent improvement of state drug control mechanisms and the relevant regulatory framework will contribute to achieving a reduction in illicit drug trafficking and abuse. The modern legal framework regulating relations in this area is constantly being improved, taking into account the development of the drug situation, to ensure effective organization of the fight against illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors.

High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography hyphenated with image processing and chemometrics as a tool for forensic discrimination of Cannabis sativa L. chemotypes

Cannabis sativa L. is the most widely cultivated, trafficked, and abused illicit drug. The reliable distinction between drug type and fiber type C. sativa remains a topic of interest for forensic chemists. For the first time, we applied a combination of simple, cost-effective, and reliable High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) with image analysis as well as sophisticated multivariate tools for differentiating C. sativa drug, fiber and intermediate chemotypes. After extraction, major cannabinoids from 43 seized C. sativa were separated using the HPTLC method. Peak areas of Δ9-THC, CBN, and CBD were calculated by simple image processing, and Xfactor = [THC + CBN]/CBD was determined as criteria used to discriminate three C. sativa chemotypes. The obtained results were compared with Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) as the reference method for the determination of Xfactor.Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchic Cluster Analysis were applied to classify three C. sativa chemotypes according to their chemical pattern. The proposed approach clearly distinguishes 26 drugs, 13 fiber, and 4 intermediate chemotypes in seized C. sativa, aligning with GC-FID analysis. The results showed that the HPTLC technique in combination with multivariate methods is an accurate and reliable tool for high-throughput and forensic screening of three C. sativa chemotypes. Compounds such as Δ9-THC and CBD were marked as the most important cannabinoids responsible for the classification of the seized C. sativa chemotypes.

Longitudinal Impacts of Religious Profiles on Substance Abuse Among Emerging Adults: A Fusion of Unsupervised and Supervised Learning Approach

ABSTRACT This study aims to assess the longitudinal patterns of multifaceted religious profiles and their relationships with illegal substance abuse among young people transitioning from late adolescence to early adulthood. A novel longitudinal approach integrating the cutting-edge unsupervised and supervised learning techniques is proposed to analyze the data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. The results show that emerging adults who are highly religious in either subjective (e.g., religious beliefs) or objective (e.g., religious attendance) domain are much less likely to abuse illegal substances than their religiously disengaged peers. Religiosity, regardless of subjective or objective, tends to be protective, but its effect is most prominent among young people most profoundly devoted to both religious beliefs and behaviors. Nevertheless, possessing strong commitment to religious beliefs without accompanying frequent religious behaviors may put emerging adults at greater risk for illicit substance abuse, compared to those who hold high level of religious beliefs but do not engage in corresponding religious behaviors frequently.

Identification of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine in Drug Abuse Urine Sample using Multi-drug Rapid Test and Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) at the Centre of Drug Testing Laboratory, National Narcotics Board Republic of Indonesia

Introduction: Drug abuse is a real threat that threatens the Indonesian nation in the form of non-military threats. The second most abused illicit substance in the world is methamphetamine (MA). Most of the methamphetamine users in the world live in East and Southeast Asia. Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system (CNS) that can make someone feel an increase in sympathomimetic. Methods: First, the preliminary test was conducted using a BioCare multi-drug rapid test and a specific methamphetamine rapid test that works based on the Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) principle. Second, the sample preparation used Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE). Third, GC-MS confirmed the test using GCMS Shimadzu-QP2020NX-GC-2030 (HP-5MS column, Length 30 m, diameter 0.25 m, film 0.25). Result and Discussion: The Preliminary test shows that the urine is positive and contains methamphetamine and amphetamine. Based on the sample chromatogram, There are 2 peaks, which are methamphetamine and amphetamine compounds it can be seen by the retention time is 5.560 minutes (methamphetamine) a similarity index of 98% to methamphetamine compounds, and 4.885 minutes (amphetamine) with a similarity index of 96% to amphetamine compounds. Conclusion: The urine samples with code 210DGB from methamphetamine users were detected due to the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine, which is the metabolite of methamphetamine.

Correlation of Self-Regulation on Enhancing Adolescent Self-Reliance in Preventing Drug Abuse in Medan City

Referring to the World Drugs Report 2020, there has been an increase in global drug use and illicit substance abuse. In 2018, approximately 269 million people worldwide were using drugs. This study aims to examine the influence of self-regulation on the resilience of teenagers in preventing drug abuse. This is a quantitative analytical study with a cross-sectional design. The study population consists of 17,906 students from public vocational schools in Medan City, with a sample of 200 individuals selected through random cluster sampling. The instruments used were questionnaires, and data analysis was conducted using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses with simple regression tests. The data processing results from the 200 student respondents revealed that 49.5% were male and 50.5% were female. Among them, 56.5% had low levels of self-regulation, while 43.0% exhibited sufficient resilience. Bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test yielded a r-value of 0.0001 (r < 0.05), indicating a significant relationship between self-regulation and teenage resilience in Medan City regarding drug abuse prevention. Referring to the findings of this study can be generally understood that self-regulation influences adolescent resilience in preventing drug abuse

A Prospective Comparison of Bipolar I and II Subjects with and without Comorbid Cannabis Use Disorders from the COGA Dataset.

The comorbidity of alcohol and substance use disorders among persons with bipolar disorder is elevated, as indicated by epidemiological and clinical studies. Following alcohol use, cannabis is the most frequently used and abused illicit substance among bipolar individuals, and such use may lead to comorbid cannabis use disorders (CUD). Previous research indicated that CUDs were related to a more severe course of bipolar disorder and higher rates of other comorbid alcohol and substance use disorders. Few studies, however, have conducted longitudinal research on this comorbidity. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of CUD on the course of bipolar I and II individuals during a 5-year follow-up. The characteristics of bipolar disorder, cannabis use disorders, and other alcohol and substance use disorders, as well as comorbid mental disorders, were assessed using a standardized semi-structured interview (SSAGA) at both baseline and the 5-year follow-up. N = 180 bipolar I and II patients were subdivided into groups of with and without comorbid cannabis use disorders (CUD). Of the 77 bipolar I and 103 bipolar II patients, n = 65 (36.1%) had a comorbid diagnosis of any CUD (DSM-IV cannabis abuse or dependence). Comorbid bipolar patients with CUD had higher rates of other substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorders, more affective symptoms, and less psychosocial functioning at baseline and at 5-year follow-up. In contrast to previously reported findings, higher rates of anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder complications (e.g., mixed episodes, rapid cycling, and manic or hypomanic episodes) were not found. The effect of CUD on other substance use disorders was confirmed using moderation analyses. A 5-year prospective evaluation of bipolar patients with and without CUD confirmed previous investigations, suggesting that the risk of other substance use disorders is significantly increased in comorbid individuals. CUD has a moderation effect, while no effect was found for other mental disorders. Findings from this study and previous research may be due to the examination of different phenotypes (Cannabis use vs. CUD) and sample variation (family study vs. clinical and epidemiological populations).

Electrochemical Analysis of Narcotic Drugs Using Nanomaterials Modified Electrodes – A Review

Abstract: The usage of abused illicit drugs remains an increasing challenge for drug regulatory authorities and therefore, it is important to develop advanced sensor technology that able to identify and determine drugs concentration in seized samples, biological fluids and food samples. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the usage of narcotic drugs legally for the medical treatments. Thus, many reports indicated that the higher dosage level led to drug addiction and mental disorders in humans. The United States record showed about 0.46 million cases of deaths due to the overdose of opioids-related drugs every year. This review discusses the electrochemical analysis (DPV, CV, EIS spectra, etc.) of various narcotic drugs using electrochemical transducers made of nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles, single-walled carbon nanotubes, Zn2SnO4/graphene nanocomposite, cysteamine functionalized gold nanoparticle conjugated with an aptamer, etc. There were many challenges reported during the electroanalysis of narcotic drugs. Some of the wearable devices were also made for the sensing of narcotic drugs. Specifically, electro-analysis of nicotine, morphine, codeine and cathonine using 2D nanomaterials and their nanocomposites-based electrochemical sensors fabricated on flexible substrates were discussed. In particular, the linear range of detection, limit of detection (LOD), interference and real-world sample analysis were highlighted. It was concluded that wearable sensors could be used for the monitoring of illicit drugs and their derivatives in day-to-day life.

Real-World Effectiveness of 8-Week Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in Treatment-Naïve, Compensated Cirrhotic HCV Patients.

The EXPEDITION-8 clinical trial has demonstrated that treatment-naïve patients with compensated cirrhosis (TN/CC) of HCV genotypes 1-6 can achieve a 98% intent-to-treat sustained virologic response rate 12weeks post-treatment with an 8-week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) regimen. Further real-world evidence is needed to support the effectiveness of 8-week G/P in a clinical practice setting and to consolidate these treatment recommendations. The aim of this study is to contribute real-world evidence for the effectiveness of an 8-week G/P treatment in TN/CC patients with HCV genotypes 1-6. Retrospective real-world data from 494 TN/CC patients with HCV genotypes 1-6 were collected between August 2017 to December 2020 from the Symphony Health Solutions administrative claims database. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at baseline. Patients were required to have a follow-up HCV ribonucleic acid level at least 8weeks or more after the end of treatment. The percentage of patients achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR) is reported. The majority of patients were male (58%) and Caucasian (40%), with a mean age of 58years; 74%, 12%, 12%, and 1% of patients were HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, and 4-6 infected, respectively. SVR was achieved in 95.5% of all patients. Across patient subgroups, SVR was achieved in 95.6% of patients with HCV genotype 3 and in 93% of HCV patients with a recent diagnosis of illicit drug use or abuse (within 6months prior to G/P initiation). Early real-world evidence indicates high effectiveness of the 8-week G/P regimen in TN/CC patients of HCV genotypes 1-6 from a large US claims database.

Pharmaceutical and narcotics monitoring in Brno wastewater system and estimation of seasonal effect on the abuse of illicit drugs by a wastewater-based epidemiology approach

The presence of pharmaceuticals (PHA) and narcotics (NAR) in wastewater (WW) has attracting growing interest due to concern for aquatic environment and the possibility to exploit their presence to estimate drug consumption by population. This work aims to (i) quantify PHA and NAR in the WW of the Brno metropolitan area, (ii) determine the effectiveness of the current conventional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and (iii) estimate the illicit drug (ID) consumption. 23 PHA and 9 NAR were frequently detected in the untreated WW and studied for their removal. One year monitoring was carried out to highlight a possible seasonal pattern with PHA and NAR load in WW, WWTP effectiveness, and illicit consumption. Results highlighted that the most abundant PHA and NAR were caffeine (73.9 ± 6.9 μg L−1) and methamphetamine (2.3 ± 0.1 μg L−1) while oxazepam (0.13 ± 0.05 μg L−1) and EDDP (0.02 ± 0.01 μg L−1) were the lowest ones, respectively. Only paracetamol, caffeine, atenolol, ciprofloxacin, amphetamine, cocaine, morphine, and benzoylecgonine exhibited a high biodegradability being removed almost completely (> 90 %). A predominant illicit use of methamphetamine was estimated (17 ± 0.6 doses 1000.inh−1 d−1) that might suggest a higher number of consumers than previous official estimation. A lower abuse of cocaine (2.7 ± 0.5 doses 1000.inh−1 d−1), amphetamine (2.2 ± 0.3 doses 1000.inh−1 d−1), methadone (1.1 ± 0.2 doses 1000.inh−1 d−1), heroin (0.9 ± 0.2 doses 1000.inh−1 d−1), and MDMA (0.7 ± 0.1 doses 1000.inh−1 d−1) was found. A seasonality pattern was highlighted for some PHA and NAR influent load and removal, and, about ID consumption, only for heroin and methadone. These results will be useful for water utilities, to enhance the knowledge about the presence and removal of PHA and NAR, and local and national authorities to evaluate and counteract the problem of ID abuse.

Relative efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention among illicit drug abusers: a randomized clinical trial

Relative efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention among illicit drug abusers: a randomized clinical trial

Pretreatment-free, on-site separation and sensitive identification of methamphetamine in biological specimens by SERS-active hydrogel microbeads

The worldwide abuse of illicit drugs led to severe consequences for human health, and society environment. Therefore, urgently required are effective and efficient on-site detection methods for illicit drugs of interest in various matrices, e.g., police samples, biofluids, and hairs. Although surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) shows power in many analytical fields, the cumbersome pretreatment of various matrices restricts its use in the easy-to-operate and on-site detection of illicit drugs. To address this problem, we adopted pore-size selectivity SERS-active hydrogel microbeads, whose meshes are adjustable to allow small molecules to access and to exclude large molecules. Meanwhile, Ag nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed and wrapped in the hydrogel matrix, providing excellent SERS performances with high sensitivity, reproducibility, and stability. By using these SERS hydrogel microbeads, one of the illicit drugs, methamphetamine (MAMP), can be rapidly and reliably detected in various biological specimens (blood, saliva, and hair) without sample pretreatment. The minimum detectable concentration is 0.1 ppm for MAMP in three biological specimens with a linear range of 0.1–100 ppm, which is lower than the maximum allowable level of 0.5 ppm set by the department of the health and human service. The SERS detection results were consistent with the gas chromatographic (GC) data. Thanks to its operational simplicity, fast response, high throughput and low cost, our established SERS hydrogel microbeads can be used as a sensing platform for facile analysis of illicit drugs through simultaneous separation, preconcentration, and optical detection, which shall be provided practically for front-line narcotics squad and resistance to the overwhelmed drug abuses.

Substance abuse and male sexual dysfunction: what lies beneath?

Substance abuse has become a worldwide health problem, leading to numerous consequences such as social problems among family members, abnormal behavior, adverse health effects, and psychological problems as well as economic consequences. We sought to assess the relationship between substance abuse and male sexual health. A search was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), Science Direct, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and the Egyptian Knowledge Bank. The following keywords were used to assess the outcomes for relevant associations: illicit drugs, addiction, substance abuse, sexual health, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory disorders, impotence, orgasm disorders, and sexual performance. The initial literature search identified a total of 148 articles in all searched databases. After removal of duplicate studies and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 75 reported studies were retained for review, including 38 case-control studies and 37 cross-sectional studies. These articles were classified into the following categories according to the type of abused substance addressed: cannabis/marihuana, 16 articles; opioids, 13 articles; heroin, 11 articles; cocaine, 5 articles; tramadol, 6 articles; ketamine, 2 articles; ecstasy, 4 articles; amphetamine, 2 articles; khat, 7 articles; androgen anabolic steroids, 2 articles; and polydrugs, 7 articles. Most of these recruited articles demonstrated a negative impact of the addressed substance on male sexual health, with variable levels. Substance abuse has negative impacts on male sexual health that should be addressed. More studies conducted with proper methodological and statistical approaches, including logistic regression analysis, are needed to predict the effects of specific substances, considering the rapidly growing effects of non-substance-use disorders on male sexual health.

Characteristics of Marginalized Populations Seeking Acupuncture: Findings from an Observational Study of an Inner-City Community Health Service.

Introduction: Marginalized populations experience health inequities and are often underserved within existing health systems. Australian marginalized populations and their use of complementary medicine, including acupuncture, lack investigation. We have collected information on the health-seeking behaviors of marginalized individuals who utilize an acupuncture service within a community-based integrative health setting. Methods: A secondary analysis of pre-existing data involving the linking of three datasets. Information was collected across four domains: health characteristics, socio-demographics, health services utilization, and vulnerability markers. Bivariate analysis using Fisher's exact and chi-square tests additional to logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine the characteristics of the study population. All data once analyzed were then presented as a cumulative statistic. Results: Study participants (n = 42) included 28% of individuals with reported histories of homelessness (n = 12) and 32% with a history of psychological trauma (n = 13). Eighty-three percent (n = 31) of the population sought acupuncture to manage pain and 91% (n = 36) for musculoskeletal conditions. Sixty-three percent (n = 24) reported a mental health diagnosis, most commonly depression (n = 18). Participants were most likely to engage with three other health services within the study setting, in addition to acupuncture. Participants with an illicit substance abuse problem were 12 times more likely to seek a greater number of acupuncture treatments, and individuals with trauma histories were twice as likely to attend the acupuncture clinic eight or more times. Discussion: Our study findings suggest a robust level of engagement with acupuncture treatment among the target population and a willingness to engage with integrative health services when barriers to uptake such as accessibility and affordability are removed. Findings support current evidence pertaining to acupuncture's use as an adjunct to managing pain in marginalized populations as well as a perceived acceptability and feasibility of the integration of acupuncture within conventional health settings. There is the further observation that acupuncture in a group setting is suitable for a marginalized population and an interest in commitment to treatment among individuals with substance abuse problems.

Dental Infection Requiring Hospitalisation Is a Public Health Problem in Australia: A Systematic Review Demonstrating an Urgent Need for Published Data

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to analyse the published literature on dental infections leading to hospitalisations in Australia. It was hoped that understanding the patterns and trends would form a basis for improved preventive and management policies. Methods: An electronic search was performed using Web of Science, Medline via Ovid and Google Scholar. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The included studies were analysed for demographics, aetiology, management, length of hospital stay and outcome of dental infections requiring hospitalisation. Results: Nine retrospective studies were eligible for inclusion. A total of 2196 cases of dental infections leading to hospitalisations were reported, with a male predominance (55-67%). Mental health issues, illicit substance abuse and immunosuppression were the main associated comorbidities (up to 58%). Dental caries (59-90%) and pericoronitis (10-19%) were the leading causes of dental infections. Empirical antibiotics were utilised in up to 75% of cases prior to hospital presentation. Six mortalities were reported. Conclusions: The available published data show that dental infection is a significant public health problem. However, only general conclusions were possible due to the variably small sample size and data collection that was inconsistent and incomplete across studies. Improved data collection is required to develop policies for prevention and management.

Epidemiological Survey of Human Alphaherpesvirus 2 (HSV-2) Infection in Indigenous People of Dourados Municipality, Central Brazil.

Sexually transmitted Human alphaherpesvirus 2 (HSV-2) causes genital ulcers, especially among sexually active adolescents and adults. We estimated the exact prevalence of anti-HSV-2 antibodies and correlated it with the demographic and behavioral aspects of the Indigenous population of the Jaguapirú and Bororó villages (Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil). In total, 1360 individuals (>18 years old) were administered serologic tests. The prevalence of anti-HSV-2 IgM was 12.9%, that of anti-HSV-2 IgG was 57.2%, and 8.5% cases tested positive for both HSV-2 IgM and IgG. The prevalence of anti-HSV-2 antibodies was higher in females (59.5%) compared to males (49%), with an OR of 0.64 (0.49-0.83). Anti-HSV-2 antibodies were found in 14.2%, 12.3%, 15.4%, and 14.5% of participants with urinary problems, genital wounds, genital warts, and urethral discharge, respectively. In summary, the seroprevalence of HSV-2 in the Indigenous population was five times higher than that reported in the general adult Brazilian population. Educational level, income level, smoking, condom use, incarceration, illicit drug abuse, the sharing of used needles and syringes without adequate disinfection, homosexual relationships, prostitution, the sexual practices among drug users, and avoidance of contraceptive methods could contribute to the facilitation of HSV-2 transmission in the Indigenous population. Our results may help develop culturally appropriate intervention programs that eliminate health-access barriers and improve the implementation of public health policies aimed at promoting information regarding and preventing, treating, and controlling HSV-2 infection in Brazilian Indigenous populations.

Cannabis Use Does Not Affect Outcomes After Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundCannabis use in patients undergoing arthroplasty has increased with ongoing legalization throughout the United States. The purpose of this study was to report total hip arthroplasty (THA) outcomes in patients self-reporting cannabis use. MethodsThere were 74 patients who underwent primary THA from January 2014 to December 2019 at a single institution with minimum 1-year follow-up who had their self-reported cannabis use retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had a history of alcohol or illicit drug abuse were excluded. A match control was conducted based on age; body mass index; sex; Charlson Comorbidity Index; insurance status; and use of nicotine, narcotics, antidepressants, or benzodiazepines to patients undergoing THA who did not self-report cannabis use. Outcomes included Harris Hip Score (HHS), Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Reconstruction (HOOS JR), in hospital morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) consumed, outpatient MMEs prescribed, in hospital lengths of stay (LOS), postoperative complications, and readmissions. ResultsThere was no difference in the preoperative, postoperative, or change in Harris Hip Score or HOOS JR between cohorts. There was also no difference in hospital MMEs consumed (102.4 versus 101, P = .92), outpatient MMEs prescribed (119 versus 156, P = .11) or lengths of stay (1.4 versus 1.5 days, P = .32). Also, readmissions (4 versus 4, P = 1.0) and reoperations (2 versus 1, P = .56) were not different between groups. ConclusionSelf-reported cannabis use does not influence 1-year outcomes after THA. Further studies are warranted to determine the efficacy and safety of perioperative cannabis use after THA to help guide orthopaedic surgeons in counseling patients.

Drug-Induced Psychosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

IntroductionA relationship between drug abuse and the onset of psychotic symptoms is strongly supported. A struggling clinical dilemma is how to clearly identify a substance-induced psychosis from a primary psychotic illness or a psychotic illness with comorbid substance use.ObjectivesIn this review, the presence of associated psychotic symptoms and the differences in clinical presentation will be analyzed for each substance.MethodsΑ bibliographical review was performed using the PubMED platform. All relevant articles were found using the keywords: substance-Induced Psychoses, symptoms, treatmentResultsPresent review shows a picture of the complex relationship between psychotic symptoms and the use and abuse of illicit drugs. Furthermore, in most cases, chronological criteria are not sufficient to prove a direct causal effect between the substance and psychosis. The subjects who presented psychotic symptoms after substance abuse seemed to have a higher risk of the development of a primary psychotic illness.ConclusionsPsychosis due to substance abuse is a common issue in clinical practice and the propensity to develop psychosis seems to be associated with the severity of use and dependence.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Comparison of stress and coping mechanisms among family members of patients abusing licit and illicit substances

Introduction Addiction has long been recognized as a disease that may have a dramatic influence on the addicted individual’s family members, manifesting as stress or trauma-related physical and psychological symptoms, resulting in increase in the usual family’s use of health-care services. There is little research available to identify and explore problems of families associated with such patients. In this study, we will evaluate stress among family members of substance abuse patients and try to focus on how these family members are dealing with these stress factors. The study will also compare different types of coping mechanisms among family members of patients taking licit and illicit substances.ObjectivesTo identify stress among families of patients abusing licit and illicit drugs and assess and compare their coping mechanisms.Methods 175 family members of patients with licit substance abuse cases and 175 family members of patients with illicit substance abuse were taken for study after informed consent. Stress among participants was evaluated using Symptom Rating Test and The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS). Coping Questionnaire (CQ) and Breif COPE was used to assess coping among them.Results The study demonstrated that the total number and severity of symptoms, including psychological and physical symptoms, are found lesser in caregivers (participants) of patients abusing licit substances than in patients abusing illicit drugs. These symptoms among family members grow as the patient’s age rises. Symptoms in participants are more if their patient is female as compared to male. And also, total symptoms are more if they are living in nuclear family (Table 1). In our results, total coping and engaged coping mechanisms in family members are found to be not significant as per drug type and remains the same for both licit and illicit drugs abusing patients’ families. Avoidant coping mechanisms in family members are more if their patient is female and in nuclear family. Table 1symp1CoefficientsStd. Err.P Valueage0.005*0.0010.000drug_type-0.114*0.0270.000female_d0.230*0.0280.000nuclear_d0.124*0.0270.000ConclusionsIn our study, it was clearly noticed that the total symptoms, both physical and psychological, were found more in family members of patients abusing illicit drugs. Impact of substance abuse related problems is found more in female members compared to male members of family.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The Perinatal Outcomes of Maltese and Sub-Saharan African Migrant Women: A Comparative, Retrospective Study

A paucity of evidence exists on whether the health and social services introduced in Malta for Sub-Saharan African (SSA) migrants have improved perinatal outcomes.Research Aim:This research aimed to compare the sociobiological characteristics and obstetric and perinatal outcomes between SSA migrant women and a local cohort of Maltese women who delivered neonates in Malta.Design:A retrospective comparison of two samples, SSA migrant women and Maltese women utilized the national obstetrics database kept by the Medical and Health Department during 2007–2016. The database had information about 898 SSA mothers (914 neonates) and 36,083 Maltese mothers (36,736 neonates). Statistical comparison was carried out using Pearson’s chi-square test.Results:SSA migrants were significantly more likely to be younger, married, poorly educated, and less likely to smoke cigarettes or abuse illicit drugs. They were statistically more likely to be multiparous and to poorly avail themselves of available antenatal care. Although SSA migrants had a significantly increased risk for perinatal complications, including preeclampsia–eclampsia, threatened preterm labor, placental abruption, intrauterine growth restriction, anemia, infection, hemorrhage, and blood transfusions, the risk for perineal trauma was lower than that for Maltese women. Significantly increased complications in SSA neonates included prematurity, low birth weight, low Apgar scores, respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, seizures, and increased mortality.Conclusion:Despite the availability of comprehensive free-at-source obstetric healthcare and social support services, the perinatal outcomes of SSA migrants remained substandard when compared to Maltese women. These findings require further investigation of the adequacy and standard of maternity care offered to SSA migrants.