Lifetime Amphetamine Use Research Articles

Prevalence and predictors of lifetime amphetamine use among in-school adolescents in Sierra Leone.

ObjectiveThis study examined the prevalence of amphetamine use and its associated factors among in-school adolescents in Sierra Leone.DesignData for the study was sourced from the 2017 Sierra Leone Global School-based...

Cannabis and amphetamine use among school-going adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country analysis of prevalence and associated factors

BackgroundGlobal evidence indicates that early onset of illicit substance use among adolescents and emerging adults is associated with negative mental-health related-outcomes that can persist into adulthood. However, the lack of quality regional data on adolescent illicit substance use and its determinants remains a common barrier to evidence-based policy-making and the development of school-based interventions in Africa. The purpose of our study was to estimate the prevalence and describe the correlates of cannabis and amphetamine use among school-going adolescents in eight sub-Saharan African countries (SSA) – Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, and Tanzania.MethodsWe analysed 15,553 school-going adolescents that participated in the Global School-based Student Health Survey. A two-stage sampling approach was used to generate a nationally representative sample of school children (grades 7–12) in each of these countries. Students responded to a self-administered structured questionnaire that contained information on sociodemographic factors, family involvement factors, mental health factors, school environment factors and past-month cannabis and life-time amphetamine use.ResultsThe overall prevalence estimates of past-month cannabis use and lifetime amphetamine use among school-going adolescents in the eight SSA countries was 4.39% (95% CI = 4.08, 4.72) and 3.05% (95% CI = 2.79, 3.34) respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, demographic characteristics (age and male gender), mental health factors (suicide ideation and attempt), lifestyle factors (cigarette smoking, past-month alcohol use, lifetime drunkenness and leisure-time sedentary behaviour) and school level factors (truancy and bullying victimisation) showed strong associations with increased odds of both past-month cannabis use and lifetime amphetamine use. Social support at school was associated with increased odds for lifetime amphetamine, while parental monitoring decreases the odds for lifetime amphetamine use. It was also observed that parental tobacco use was associated with increased odds of both past-month cannabis use and lifetime amphetamine use.ConclusionThe relatively low overall prevalence estimates of past-month cannabis use and lifetime amphetamine use among school-going adolescents in not surprising. However, the identified risk and protective factors associated with cannabis and amphetamine use underscores the need for these eight countries in SSA to develop contextual and multi-sectoral intervention and school-based prevention programmes that could target school-going adolescents who may be at risk of misusing these illicit drugs.

Factors associated with single and multiple suicide attempts in adolescents attending school in Argentina: national cross-sectional survey in 2018.

Factors associated with single suicide attempts (SSA) and multiple suicide attempts (MSA) may differ. The study aimed to assess the factors associated with MSA in adolescents with a history of suicide attempts during the past 12 months in Argentina. National cross-sectional data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey in Argentina in 2018 were analysed. Students who reported having a history of suicide attempts in the past 12 months were included in the final sample (n = 8507). Students with MSA were compared with students with an SSA through multiple logistic regression. In a subsample of adolescents attending school (mean age 14.8 years, s.d. = 1.3), 59.4% had an SSA and 40.6% had MSA in the past 12 months. In the final adjusted logistic regression model, compared with participants with SSA, both male and female students with MSA more frequently had no close friends, reported feeling more lonely and had more anxiety-induced sleep disturbances. Furthermore, among female participants, having been physically attacked, having participated in physical fights, low parental support, current tobacco use and lifetime amphetamine use were associated with MSA. Among male students, multiple sexual partners were associated with MSA. Furthermore, among both boys and girls, compared with participants without psychosocial distress, participants with one, two, three or more psychosocial distress factors had higher odds of MSA. Compared with students with one or two social or environmental risk factors, students with seven or eight social or environmental risk factors had higher odds of MSA; compared with students who had zero or one health risk behaviours, students with six or more health risk behaviours had higher odds of MSA. Psychosocial distress (anxiety-induced sleep disturbance, having no close friends and loneliness) increased the odds of MSA among both sexes. The odds of MSA were increased by interpersonal violence, low parental support and substance use among girls, and by having multiple sexual partners among boys. This suggests the potential relevance of these variables in identifying multiple suicide attempters among adolescents attending school in Argentina.

Current tobacco use is associated with mental morbidity and health risk behaviours among school-going adolescents in Liberia and Mauritius

ABSTRACT Background The aim of the study was to provide estimates on associations between tobacco use and mental morbidity and health risk behaviors among adolescents in Liberia and Mauritius. Methods Cross-sectional and national school health survey data were analyzed from adolescents (median age, 17 years) in Liberia and Mauritius in 2017. Results Overall, 17.8% of the students reported current tobacco use. In the final logistic regression model, current tobacco use was associated with five poor mental health indicators (loneliness, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide plan), and 12 health risk behaviors (current alcohol use, current cannabis use, lifetime amphetamine use, leisure-time sedentary behavior, fast food and soft drink, non-condom use, multiple sexual partners, non-birth control use, involvement in physical fighting, serious injury, and school truancy). Conclusions Interventions should include multiple comorbidities with tobacco use.

Risk and Protective Factors of Lifetime Cocaine-Associated Chest Pain.

Introduction: Cocaine users often present with repetitive events of cocaine-associated chest pain (CACP), clinically resembling acute coronary syndromes. The aim of the study is to describe the specific risk factors for CACP.Method: Cocaine users (n = 316) were recruited for a multicenter cross-sectional study. Lifetime CACP history, sociodemographic factors, and lifetime use of cocaine and other substances were assessed. Thirty single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NOS3, ROCK2, EDN1, GUCY1A3, and ALDH2 genes, suggested by the literature on coronary spasms, were selected. The associations with CACP history were tested using the chi-square test, Student's t-test and logistic regression.Results: Among the 316 subjects [78.5% men, mean age 37.5 years, (standard-deviation ±8.7)], 190 (60.1%) were daily cocaine users and 103 (32.6%) reported a lifetime CACP history. Among those with a lifetime CACP history, the median was 10 events per individual. In multivariate analysis, lifetime CACP history was associated with daily cocaine use [odds-ratio (OR) 3.24; 95% confidence intervals (1.29–9.33)], rapid route of cocaine use [OR 2.33 (1.20–4.64) vs. intranasal use], and lifetime amphetamine use [daily amphetamine use: OR 2.80 (1.25–6.32) and non-daily amphetamine use: OR 2.14 (1.15–4.04) vs. never used]. Patients with lifetime opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) reported significantly less lifetime CACP history [OR 0.35 (0.16–0.76)]. None of the selected SNPs was associated with CACP history after multiple testing corrections.Conclusions: Clinical variables describing the intensity of stimulant use were positively associated with lifetime CACP history, while OMT was negatively associated with it. Specific harm reduction strategies can target these risk factors.

Current cannabis and lifetime amphetamine use among in-school adolescents in five ASEAN countries: socio-ecological perspectives

ABSTRACT The investigation aimed to estimate the prevalence of the use of cannabis in the past month and amphetamine in a lifetime and socio-ecological perspectives among in-school adolescents in five ASEAN countries. Cross-sectional survey data were analysed from 33,184 adolescents (median age 14 years, interquartile range = 2) from Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste that took part in the ‘Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)’ in 2015. Overall, 3.1% of school students used cannabis currently (ranging from 0.4% in Laos to 5.6% in the Philippines), and lifetime amphetamine use was 3.0% (ranging from 0.3% in Laos to 5.1% in Timor-Leste). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, male sex (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.02–2.47), having no close friends (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.23–3.33), suicide attempt (OR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.68–4.32), current alcohol use (OR: 3.57, 95% CI: 2.29–5.57), current tobacco use (OR: 9.86, 95% CI: 5.87–13.37), school truancy (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.44–2.89), low peer support (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.33–0.75), in a physical fight (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.05–2.13) and injury (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.11–2.28) were associated with current cannabis use. Having no close friends (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.56–3.84), suicide attempt (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.72–4.81), current alcohol use (OR: 3.88, 95% CI: 2.72–5.52), current tobacco use (OR: 6.22, 95% CI: 3.97–9.75), school truancy (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.52–2.92), low peer support (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.27–0.68), low parental connectedness (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.34–0.81), physically attacked (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.04–2.10), and injury (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.12–2.64) were associated with lifetime amphetamine use. Strategies for the prevention interventions of the use of cannabis and amphetamine in this school population may include identified risk factors.

S97. IS EARLY DEBUT OF SUBSTANCE USE ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENT OFFENDING IN SCHIZOPHRENIA?

BackgroundSubstance use is one of many risk factors for schizophrenia, and substance use is also associated with violent offending.This study compared a group of individuals suffering from schizophrenia with a history of violent offending (SCZ-V) to a group of schizophrenia patients without any history of violent offending (SCZ-NV). We investigated whether there is a difference between the SCZ-V and SCZ-NV groups when it comes to lifetime use, and debut age for use, of alcohol, cannabis, and amphetamines.MethodsThis study examined the overall lifetime substance-use and the debut age of use of alcohol, cannabis and amphetamine among a selected group of patients with schizophrenia and a history of violent offending (SCZ-V n=25) recruited from psychiatric security wards in South-Eastern Norway, compared to a matched group of schizophrenia patients without violent offending (SCZ-NV n=34). Participants completed interviews and questionnaires to confirm diagnoses and to map the history of substance use.ResultsWhile we found no significant difference in lifetime use of alcohol and cannabis between the groups (alcohol: SCZ-V: 88%, SCZ-NV: 97%, cannabis: SCZ-V: 76%, SCZ-NV: 71%), the SCZ-V group reported significantly more lifetime use of amphetamines compared to the SCZ-NV group (SCZ-V: 76% vs SCZ-NV: 18%, p<0.001). When comparing debut ages for substance use, the SCZ-V group was significantly younger than the SCZ-NV group at debut of alcohol (Mean age SCZ-V: 13.8 vs. SCZ-NV: 16.4, p=.004), cannabis (Mean age SCZ-V: 14.0 vs. SCZ-NV: 18.3, p<.001), and amphetamines (Mean age SCZ-V: 15.6 vs. SCZ-NV: 21.2, p=.001).DiscussionThe SCZ-V group reported significantly more lifetime use of amphetamine and a significantly lower debut age for use of alcohol, cannabis, and amphetamines than the SCZ-NV group.According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the average lifetime uses of cannabis for the general Norwegian population between 16 and 64 years old is 20.6%, while the average for the population between 16 and 34 years old when it comes to ever have used amphetamines is 4.7%. The numbers for both the SCZ-V and the SCZ-NV groups were noticeably higher than the population averages. What separates the groups are the significantly lower debut age of drug use in the SCZ-V group, and especially the higher number of lifetime amphetamines use.The findings point towards an association between the early debut of use of alcohol, cannabis, and amphetamines, and later violent offending in patients suffering from schizophrenia.

T85. LIVING WITH PSYCHOSIS IN LATER LIFE

BackgroundWhilst there is considerable focus on early intervention for young people with psychotic disorders, there is little research looking at older people. Although some of these individuals have a recent onset, most will have been living with psychosis for many years. The older population has increased risks of cardiometabolic complications and this is likely to be complicated by psychosis.MethodsThe Australian Survey of People Living with Psychosis included 1478 participants aged 18–49 years, and 346 participants aged 50–64 years. The two groups were compared across a range of demographic, diagnostic, physical health, substance abuse and lifestyle factors.ResultsThe older group contained significantly more women (48.3% vs 38.6%, p<0.0001). There was a smaller proportion of people with ICD-10 schizophrenia (36.1% vs 45.4% p<0.012), and higher proportions with schizoaffective disorder and affective psychoses. Significantly fewer of the older participants were prescribed clozapine (11.0% vs 16.8%, p < 0.0001). The mean age of onset was later in the older group (30.05 vs 22.23 years, p < 0.0001).There was a striking difference in rates of drug and alcohol abuse. The older group had lower rates of hazardous, harmful or dependent drinking (15.3% vs 35.9%, p < 0.0001), lifetime cannabis use (35.6% vs 74.1%, p < 0.0001), past year cannabis use (11.1% vs 38.1%, p < 0.0001), lifetime amphetamine use (12.8% vs 47.0%, p < 0.0001), and past year amphetamine use (2.9% vs 14.9%, p < 0.0001). The older group were also less likely to currently smoke tobacco (56.9% vs 68.9%, p < 0.0001).Older people were more likely to live alone (45.1% vs 28.6%, p < 0.000). They were less likely to experience food poverty; in the last year 19.5% of older people and 30.7% of younger people had run out of food and did not have money to buy more.Cognitive function was poorer with slower processing speed in the older group, with the NART error score indicating premorbid intelligence was lower in the older group.Older people were more likely to be overweight or obese (80.6% vs 74.3%, p < 0.0001), as well as being more likely to have metabolic syndrome (56.1% vs 48.5%, p = 0.034). There was a greater proportion with very low exercise in the older group (41.6% vs 31.7% p = 0.003).DiscussionOlder people with psychosis are more likely to be female and more likely to be diagnosed with an affective psychosis. The poorer cognitive function and higher rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome are consistent with changes seen in aging in the normal population. The older group have much lower rates of both lifetime and current drug and alcohol abuse, and smoking. Whilst there is considerable attention to cardiovascular health as a determinant of premature mortality, our results suggest that lifetime alcohol, cannabis and amphetamine use may also be associated with failure to survive into older age.

Suicide Attempt and Associated Factors Among Adolescents in Five Southeast Asian Countries in 2015.

Background: Suicide is a major cause of death among adolescents. Aims: The study aimed to report on the prevalence and correlates of suicide attempt among in-school adolescents in five Southeast Asian countries. Method: Cross-sectional data from the 2015 Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) included 33,004 middle-school children (mean age = 14.3 years, SD = 1.6) that were representative of all students in secondary school in Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. Results: The overall prevalence of past 12-month suicide attempt was 9.0%, ranging from 3.9% in Indonesia to 16.2% in the Philippines. Among those with a suicide attempt in the past 12 months, almost half (49.0%) had suicidal ideation and 47.7% had a suicide plan in the past 12 months. In adjusted Poisson regression analysis, female gender, residing in Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, no close friends, loneliness, anxiety, bullying victimization, physical attack, lack of parental support, lack of peer support, current alcohol use, lifetime cannabis use, lifetime amphetamine use, soft drink consumption, truancy, and injury were associated with suicide attempt. Limitations: The correlational nature of the study limits the implications of the findings. Conclusion: Almost one in 10 students had attempted suicide in the past 12 months and several factors associated with suicide attempt were identified among adolescents in five Southeast Asian countries.

Rates and Predictors of Relapse in First-Episode Psychosis: An Australian Cohort Study

Abstract Background Clinical and functional recovery is usually achieved after treatment for a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Unfortunately, subsequent relapse remains common, occurring within a year for approximately 30% of individuals and up to 80% over 5 years. Factors that make relapse more likely in any given individual remain poorly understood. Methods This article presents a naturalistic cohort study of young people (15–24 years old) accessing an early intervention in psychosis service in Melbourne, Australia between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2016. Demographic and clinical predictors of relapse were collected and analyzed using Cox regression analysis. Results A total of 1220 young people presented with an FEP during the study period; 37.7% (N = 460) experienced at least 1 relapse during their episode of care. Over half of all relapses resulted in an admission to hospital. Non-adherence to medication, substance use, and psychosocial stressors were commonly noted as clinical precipitants of relapse. Significant predictors of relapse (vs no relapse) were a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.62) or affective psychotic disorder (aHR = 1.37), lifetime amphetamine use (aHR = 1.48), and any substance use during treatment (aHR = 1.63). Conclusion These findings suggest that relapse occurs frequently for young people who have experienced FEP. This is one of the first studies to report that amphetamine use (predominantly illicit methamphetamine) increases the risk of relapse. Clinical services, especially in Australasia, need to consider how best to manage this comorbidity in young people with FEP.

Prevalence of truancy in a national sample of school going adolescents in Laos is associated with potential risk and protective factors

School truancy among adolescents can negatively impact academic achievements.The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic, externalizing, internalizing and protective factors associated with school truancy in a national sample of school-going adolescents in Laos. The sample included 3683 adolescents (median age 16 years, interquartile range = 2) who responded to the cross-sectional “Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS)” in Laos in 2015. Overall, 40.7% of the middle-school students reported truancy in the past 30 days. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, five externalizing behaviours (current alcohol use, lifetime amphetamine use, having been in a physical fight, was bullied and having been physically attacked) were associated with school truancy. High internalizing behaviour increased the odds for school truancy. Regarding protective factors, peer support and high parental or guardian supervision decreased the odds for school truancy. The study found a very high proportion of school truancy in Laos, calling for urgent interventions incorporating identified risk factors.

Cannabis and amphetamine use and its psychosocial correlates among school-going adolescents in Ghana

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of cannabis and amphetamine use and to determine its associated factors among school-going adolescents in Ghana.MethodThe 2012 Ghanaian Global School-based Student Health Survey on 3632 adolescents aged 11–19 years (mean = 15.1 years; SD = 1.4) was used. Participants for this study were sampled from selected junior (JHS) and senior high schools (SHS) in all the 10 administrative regions of Ghana. A two-stage cluster sampling design was used to select 25 senior high schools to represent all the 10 regions of Ghana. Information was collected with a self-administered structured questionnaire that contained information on demographics, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, violence, and a range of other health-related behaviours.ResultsThe result showed that past-month cannabis use was 5.3% and lifetime amphetamine use was 7.1% among students. In multivariate model, after controlling for other variables, school truancy and current cigarette smoking were associated with both past-month cannabis and lifetime amphetamine use. The number of close friends was associated with only past-month cannabis use. School environment factors (bullying victimisation and having been attacked) and parental substance use were associated with lifetime amphetamine use.ConclusionThis study identified a number of risk factors, including parental substance use and various risk behaviours, for both past-month cannabis and lifetime amphetamine use. School-based health intervention programmes should be developed taking into consideration the risk factors associated with cannabis and amphetamine use among school-going adolescents.

Cannabis and amphetamine use and socio-ecological (proximal and distal) factors among school-going adolescents in four countries in the Caribbean and four countries in South America.

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of cannabis and amphetamine use and socio-ecological (proximal and distal) factors among adolescents in eight countries of the Americas. We analysed cross-sectional survey data from 44,904 adolescents [mean age 14.6 years, standard deviation (SD) = 1.4] from Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago that participated in the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) in 2011-2013. The prevalence of the past month's cannabis use was 8.3% and lifetime amphetamine use was 3.0%. In adjusted mixed-effects logistic regression analysis older age, male gender, personal attributes (anxiety, suicidal ideation, current tobacco use, current alcohol use, school truancy and sexual risk behaviour) and environmental stressors (having been in a physical fight, hunger, being bullied) were positively and parental support and peer support were negatively associated with the past month's cannabis and/or lifetime amphetamine use. Measures to prevent and control cannabis and amphetamine use in this adolescent population should include personal attributes (mental health, substance use, school truancy and sexual risk behaviour), environmental stressors and parental and peer support.

Cannabis and Amphetamine Use and Socio-Ecological Proximal and Distal Factors Among School-Going Adolescents in Six Pacific Island Countries

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of cannabis and amphetamine use and socio-ecological proximal and distal factors among adolescents in six Pacific Island countries. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from 9,849 adolescents (mean age 14.2 years, SD = 1.2) from Cook Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu that participated in the “Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)” in 2011–2013. The prevalence of past-month cannabis use was 15.5%, and lifetime amphetamine use was 14.5%, with the highest prevalence in Samoa, 37.1% and 34.6%, respectively. In adjusted mixed-effects logistic regression analysis male gender, personal attributes (anxiety, loneliness, current tobacco use, current alcohol use and school truancy) and environmental stressors (having been in a physical fight, been physically attacked, sustained an injury, hunger and being bullied) were associated with past-month cannabis and/or lifetime amphetamine use. Parental substance use was positively and parental involvement negatively associated with past-month cannabis and/or lifetime amphetamine use. Measures to prevent and control cannabis and amphetamine use in this adolescent population should include personal attributes, environmental stressors and parental support.

Amphetamine use in the fourth decade of life: Social profiles from a population-based Australian cohort.

To estimate the prevalence and frequency of amphetamine use in a cohort of Australians aged in their mid-30s. Cross-sectional analysis of wave 10 data collected in 2014 from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study: a sample of 1435 persons originally selected in a stratified, random community survey of secondary school students from the state of Victoria that commenced in 1992. Weighted multinomial regression models were used to evaluate the social, health and other substance-use correlates of lifetime and current (12-month) amphetamine use and current frequency of use. Lifetime amphetamine use was reported by 23.2% (95% confidence interval 21.0-25.5%) of respondents, and 6.5% (95% confidence interval 5.2-7.8%) reported current (12-month) use. A quarter (26%) of those currently using amphetamines, 1.7% (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.4%) of all respondents, reported frequent (at least weekly) use. Men reported greater amphetamine use than women. Current amphetamine use was associated with disrupted family circumstances, socioeconomic adversity, polydrug use and high levels of drug use within the social and familial environment. Frequent use was associated with greater likelihood of multiple adversity, unemployment, anxiety disorders and use of mental health services. The current results show that lifetime, current and frequent amphetamine use was common amongst adults in the fourth decade of life in this cohort, and associated with the experience of social disadvantage, poor mental health and living in a social context in which drug use is the norm.

Cannabis and Amphetamine Use and Associated Factors Among School-Going Adolescents in Nine African Countries

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of cannabis and amphetamine use and associated factors among adolescents in nine African countries. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 25,372 adolescents (mean age 14.3 years, SD = 1.6) from nine African countries that participated in the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) in 2009–2013. Information was collected with a self-administered structured questionnaire. Overall, past-month cannabis use was 4.1% and lifetime amphetamine use was 5.1% among students. In multivariable unconditional regression analysis older age, personal attributes (suicidal ideation, current smoking, school truancy, and having had two or more sexual partners), smoking status of the father and/or mother, and environmental stressors (having experienced hunger, been bullied, having been in a physical fight and having been attacked) were associated with both past-month cannabis and lifetime amphetamine use. Measures to prevent and control cannabis and amphetamine use should include personal attributes (suicidal ideation, school truancy, and HIV sexual risk behavior) and environmental stressors (food insecurity and violence).

Cannabis and Amphetamine Use Among Adolescents in Five Asian Countries.

IntroductionThere has been a global increase in illicit drug use among young people. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lifetime cannabis and amphetamine use, as well as to explore factors associated with substance use among adolescents in five Asian countries: Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Vietnam.Methods38,941 school children (mean age 15.4 years, SD=1.5) completed the cross-sectional Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Topics covered in the questionnaire included cannabis and amphetamine use. Personal, parental, and environmental attributes were explored as predictors of cannabis and amphetamine use. Logistic regression was used to assess the contribution of potential predictors on lifetime cannabis and lifetime amphetamine use.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of lifetime cannabis use was 0.9% and lifetime amphetamine use was 1.0% among research participants. Cannabis use was influenced by male gender (Kuwait, Mongolia), parental smoking habits (Kuwait, Iraq), and current cigarette smoking in all countries. Amphetamine use was associated with suicidal ideation (Kuwait, Malaysia, Vietnam), school truancy (Malaysia, Mongolia, Vietnam), being a victim of physical assault (Kuwait, Mongolia), bullying victimization (Iraq, Malaysia, Vietnam), as well as anxiety and current cigarette use in all countries.ConclusionsOur preliminary results show the importance of personal attributes such as mental distress and environmental stressors on lifetime cannabis and lifetime amphetamine use. Future prospective studies are needed to identify causal relationships among personal attributes, parental attributes, environmental stressors, and illicit substance use.

Novel psychoactive substance use among treatment-seeking opiate users: The role of life events and psychiatric symptoms.

Over the past 5years, a shift to the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has been observed among opioid users. The aim of this study was to assess the potential reasons for NPS use among treatment-seeking patients receiving opiate substitution therapy. A structured questionnaire was filled out by a sample of 198 opiate dependent patients of Hungary's National Institute of Psychiatry and Addiction. This questionnaire assessed demographics, treatment characteristics, lifetime substance use, potential reasons for NPS use, negative life events (Life Events Scale), and psychiatric symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory). The most frequent reasons for NPS use were curiosity, replacing other drugs, and easy availability. The majority of the respondents used synthetic cathinones and chose practical reasons, not psychopharmacological preferences. A series of binary logistic regressions indicated that lifetime amphetamine use (OR=4.64, 95% CI [2.16, 9.96]) and more severe psychiatric symptoms (OR=1.89, 95% CI [1.18, 3.04]) may predict NPS use. Time spent in treatment was a minor protective factor (OR=0.92, 95% CI [0.86, 0.99]). Synthetic cathinones might still substitute amphetamine-derivatives, although these NPS are no longer legal. There is a need for the regular screening of psychiatric symptoms and the use of family therapy among participants on opioid substitution programs.

Computerized Screening for Alcohol and Drug Use Among Adults Seeking Outpatient Psychiatric Services

This study examined routine computerized screening for alcohol and drug use of men and women seeking outpatient psychiatric services (excluding chemical dependency treatment) and prevalence based on electronic medical records of consecutive admissions. The sample of 422 patients, ages 18-91, completed a self-administered questionnaire. Measures included 30-day, one-year, and lifetime substance use and alcohol-related problems. Seventy-five percent of patients completed electronic intakes during the study period. Prior-month alcohol use was reported by 90 men (70%) and 180 women (62%). Of these patients, heavy drinking (five or more drinks on one occasion) was reported by 37 men (41%) and 41 women (23%). Prior-month cannabis use was reported by 17 men (13%) and 32 women (11%). Computerized intake systems that include alcohol and drug screening can be integrated into outpatient psychiatric settings. Heavy drinking and use of nonprescribed drugs are commonly reported, which provides an important intervention opportunity.

Computerized Screening for Alcohol and Drug Use Among Adults Seeking Outpatient Psychiatric Services

Computerized Screening for Alcohol and Drug Use Among Adults Seeking Outpatient Psychiatric Services