Psychoactive Substance Dependence Research Articles

Identifying and Exploring Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring in Nursing Approaches for Patients with Psychoactive Substance Dependence in Medical and Surgical Acute Wards

Identifying and Exploring Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring in Nursing Approaches for Patients with Psychoactive Substance Dependence in Medical and Surgical Acute Wards

Neuropsychocorrection of stress disorders

The article highlights a novel method of psychotherapy, which has a wide range of indications, including pre-nosological manifestations of emotional deficiency, depression, stress disorders of various origins and associated neurotic disorders, personality, behavioral, psychosomatic, and addictive disorders, food addiction (anorexia nervosa and bulimia), psychoactive substance dependence (alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse, smoking), psychological dependence in relation to individuals, as well as bad habits and any other disorders associated with psychogenic factors. We applied neuropsychocorrection as part of a complex of traditional resort treatment (study group) and observed patients in the control group who received only resort treatment. The main indicators when selecting individuals for the study were a high level of anxiety, low mood, emThe statistical data obtained as a result of the study based on the analysis of the dynamics of complaints after the course of neuropsychocorrection indicate a more pronounced stabilization of the psycho-emotional state, a decrease in emotional tension, normalization of sleep, a decrease in the level of anxiety, enhancement in interpersonal relationships, and improvement and stability of mood.otional tension, increased sensitivity to external stimuli, and somatization disorders.

Adverse Childhood Experiences as Risk Factor for the Development of Substance Addiction

Research indicates that the likelihood of developing addiction increases with the number of adverse childhood experiences [ACE]. ACE are common precursors to early initiation of psychoactive substance use [PAS], significantly increasing the risk of substance abuse and faster progression to substance addiction [SA]. ACE are associated with a more severe course of addiction, poorer treatment outcomes, and higher rates of relapse after treatment completion. The aim of this paper is to elucidate the link between ACE and the development of psychoactive substance dependence during adulthood, through the method of analysis and synthesis of empirical and theoretical research. The theoretical framework of the paper is based on the theories of cumulative inequality and trauma, which provide overarching postulates for interpreting the link between childhood adversity and SA, and offer conceptual insights into understanding the detrimental effects of ACE on the biopsychosocial development of individuals. This approach challenges the traditional notions of addiction as a “personal choice”, “moral irresponsibility”, “circumstantial coincidence”, or “genetic predisposition”. The paper provides guidelines that emphasise the need for an integrative approach in addressing trauma and addiction, as well as a holistic approach to individuals undergoing addiction treatment.

The Latest Discoveries in the Physiology of Adaptation and Validation of Psychoactive Substance Dependence

The article shows that the current level of physiology does not disclose the biological mechanisms of the organism transition from one range to adapt to a higher with an increase in the regular forces of the stimulus above sub-extreme. A new trend in the physiology of adaptation - proqredient adaptation, explains the mechanism of increasing the tolerance of the organism, with dependence on psychoactive substances (PAS). It is scientifically proved, that dependences of the organism on PAS not the disease, and the states like proqredient (progressive) adaptation.

Relationship Between Psychoactive Substance Dependence and Aggression Among Adults

Relationship Between Psychoactive Substance Dependence and Aggression Among Adults

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Arousal Predisposition and Sleep Disorders in Patients with Substance Use Disorder

Background: Different studies have documented positive associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and psychoactive substance use disorder; arousability and sleep disorders; as well as positive associations between ACE and sleep disorders. There isa need to explore possible associations among ACE, arousability, and sleep disorders specifically in patients with substance use disorder in our local environment, hence this study. The objectives of the study were to determine the associations between ACE (on the one hand); arousability, and sleep disorders (on the other hand) in patients with substance use disorder. The other objective was to explore possible associations between arousability and sleep disorders in the same group of patients. The sleep disorders of interest in this study are insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and poor sleep quality. Methods: Eighty-four (84) subjects who met the ICD-10 criteria for the diagnosis of psychoactive substance dependence from the Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, were consecutively recruited into the study. They were required to complete: Proforma on sociodemographic characteristics and drug use information; Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q); Arousal Predisposition Scale (APS); Insomnia Severity Index (ISI); Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS); and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The data were analyzed using SPSS, version 23, and P˂ 0.01 was considered significant. Results: Eighty-two (82) of the subjects, representing 97.6 % of the total number, provided complete data for analyses. The age range of the 82 participants was from 19- 44 years, with a mean of 28.5 years (SD=7.3, SEM =0.8). There were 77 males (93.9 %) and five females (6.1 %). A total of 15 out of the 82 subjects (18.3 %) recorded ≥4 in ACE- Q. Twenty-one (25.6 %) met the requirement for arousability using the APS, 17 (20.7 %) had clinical insomnia, 22 (26.8 %) had EDS, while another 22 (26.8 %) had poor sleep quality. The common drugs of dependence used by the subjects were alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, opioids, and sedatives/hypnotics; either alone or in combination. The results showed that ACE was positively and significantly associated with arousability (χ 2 = 13.713, df =1, P = 0.000), insomnia severity (χ 2 = 20.274, df =1, P = 0.000), EDS (χ 2 = 12.461, df =1, P = 0.000), and poor sleep quality (χ 2 = 12.461, df =1, P = 0.000). There was a positive association between arousability and insomnia severity, a positive association between arousability and EDS, and a positive association between arousability and poor sleep quality. Conclusion: The findings showed that ACE and arousability may be significant factors contributing to sleep disorders among subjects with substance use disorders. The study therefore concludes that prevention of adverse experiences in childhood and adolescence is pivotal to the prevention of subsets of sleep disorders, in adult life.

Fundamental Discovery in Physiology of the 21st Century and Validation of Psychoactive Substance Dependence

The article shows that the current level of physiology does not disclose the biological mechanisms of the organism transition from one range to adapt to a higher with an increase in the regular forces of the stimulus above sub-extreme. A new trend in the physiology of adaptation - proqredient adaptation, explains the mechanism of increasing the tolerance of the organism, with dependence on psychoactive substances (PAS). It is scientifically proved, that dependences of the organism on PAS not the disease, and the states like proqredient (progressive) adaptation.

ENDS consumption in students of higher education: Phenomenon on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered transformations in the population's lifestyles, including electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) consumption. The aim of the study was to determine associations between ENDS consumption habits and lifestyles among higher education students in Bogotá, Colombia. This study employed a cross-sectional analytical design, based on a self-administered online survey, conducted in 2021, among students aged 18-59 years. The sample size was 3985 students. Statistical analysis was done through frequency studies, hypothesis testing and a multivariate-penalized logistic regression model (firthlogit), based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC). A total of 3573 students completed the survey, 61.5% were female, 55.3% were young (aged 18-26 years), and 44.6% were adults (aged 27-59 years). The prevalence of ENDS use during the pandemic was 7.3%. Age was negatively associated with ENDS use, as young people had a higher likelihood of using these devices. The likelihood of ENDS use was negative among females (OR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.2-0.5). In contrast, it was positive in students with a history of psychoactive substance abuse and/or dependence (OR=3.59; 95% CI: 1.0-12.0), students who had tried conventional cigarettes (OR=5.12; 95% CI: 3.0-8.5), participants who smoked tobacco during the pandemic (OR=3.15; 95% CI: 2.3-4.2), those who studied virtually (OR=1.52; 95% CI: 1.0-2.3), participants who lived with other ENDS users (OR=3.86; 95% CI: 2.8-5.2) and students with negative perception of impacts on their mental health (OR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.1-1.9). Being male, aged <26 years, having a history of substance use, having tried conventional cigarettes, pandemic tobacco use, and having lived with other ENDS users, were the main factors associated with pandemic ENDS use. Studying the consumption habits of students in response to lifestyle changes, is fundamental for the formulation of strategies to reduce the development of addictive behaviors, especially in young students during the pandemic.

Risk factors of early psychoactive substances dependence among youth

The article considers a number of factors that influence the use of psychoactive substances by young people in Russia: psychological, social, economic, medico-biological, spiritual and moral and others. The main reasons for psychoactive substance use among this age group are: neglect by parents, psychoactive substance use by parents and other relatives, abuse by parents and guardians, low family income, conflicts and lack of understanding of the age-specific characteristics of adolescents by parents, low motivation to study, low status among peer groups, youth informal groups. In addition to risk factors, protection factors – circumstances that reduce the likelihood of a person becoming involved with psychoactive substances have also been identified: a strong family, with a healthy and supportive psychological atmosphere, success in educational activities, parental involvement in the life of their children, etc.

Biology of increased tolerance and validation of the psychoactive substance dependence

The article shows that the current level of physiology does not disclose the biological mechanisms of the organism transition from one range to adapt to a higher with an increase in the regular forces of the stimulus above sub-extreme. A new trend in the physiology of adaptation - proqredient adaptation, explains the mechanism of increasing the tolerance of the organism, with dependence on psychoactive substances (PAS ). It is scientifically proved, that dependences of the organism on PAS are the states of progredient adaptation.

Reasons for increased tolerance and validation of psychoactive substance dependence

The article shows that the current level of physiology does not disclose the biological mechanisms of the organism transition from one range to adapt to a higher with an increase in the regular forces of the stimulus above sub-extreme. A new trend in the physiology of adaptation - proqredient adaptation, explains the mechanism of increasing the tolerance of the organism, with dependence on psychoactive substances (PAS). It is scientifically proved, that dependences of the organism on PAS are the states of progredient adaptation.

A Research Domain Criteria Approach to Gambling Disorder and Behavioral Addictions: Decision-Making, Response Inhibition, and the Role of Cannabidiol.

Gambling Disorder (GD) has been recently re-classified in the DSM-5 under the “substance-related and addictive disorders,” in light of its genetic, endophenotypic, and phenotypic resemblances to substance dependence. Diminished control is a core defining concept of psychoactive substance dependence or addiction and has given rise to the concept of “behavioral” addictions, which are syndromes analogous to substance addiction, but with a behavioral focus other than ingestion of a psychoactive substance. The main symptom clusters are represented by loss of control, craving/withdrawal, and neglect of other areas of life, whereas in a Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) perspective, GD patients exhibit deficits in the domain of “Positive valence systems,” particularly in the “Approach motivation” and “Reward learning” constructs, as well as in the “Cognitive systems,” primarily in the “Cognitive control” construct. In the Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA), three relevant domains for addictions emerge: “Incentive salience,” “Negative Emotionality,” and “Executive Function.” The endocannabinoid system (ECS) may largely modulate these circuits, presenting a promising pharmaceutical avenue for treating addictions. Up to now, research on cannabidiol has shown some efficacy in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), whereas in behavioral addictions its role has not been fully elucidated, as well as its precise action on RDoC domains. Herein, we review available evidence on RDoC domains affected in GD and behavioral addictions and summarize insights on the use of cannabidiol in those disorders and its potential mechanisms of action on reward, decisional, and sensorimotor processes.

Codependency, Psychological Problems and Time of Exposure to Parents with a History of Psychoactive Substance Dependence: Appointments

O conceito de codependência é controverso, reportando-se a dificuldades psicológicas de familiares de dependentes de substâncias psicoativas, bem como abrangendo contextos de desestruturação familiar não associados à dependência dessas substâncias. A pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar codependência e problemas internalizantes e externalizantes em adolescentes, filhos de pais com histórico de dependência a substância psicoativa, segundo sexo, e possível correlação entre codependência e tempo de exposição a esse membro da família, também segundo sexo. O estudo avaliou 30 adolescentes, de 13 a 18 anos, em um município do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Com o uso da Escala Spann-Fischer de Codependência e do Youth Self Report, foi verificada forte correlação entre a codependência e problemas psicológicos nas meninas. Ademais, foi encontrada forte correlação positive entre codependência e exposição intermitente ao familiar dependente de substâncias psicoativas, para meninos da amostra. Para meninos e meninas, não houve correlação entre codependência e exposição contínua ao familiar dependente, o que sugere que a codependência transcende a mera presença da pessoa com histórico de dependência de substâncias psicoativas.

الفروق بین المنتکسین والمتعافین من الاعتماد على المواد النفسیة فی المقاومة النفسیة فی ضوء بعض متغیرات السیاق العلاجی Differences between Relapsed and Psychoactive Substance Dependence -Recovered patients in Psychological Resilience in light of Some Therapeutic Context Variables

هدف البحث الحالي إلى الکشف عن الفروق بين المنتکسين والمتعافين من الاعتماد على المواد النفسية من الذکور في المقاومة النفسية في ضوء بعض متغيرات السياق العلاجي، والتي تمثل في نوع العلاج (نفسي اجتماعي– طبي/مزدوج)، وطبيعة الجلسات (فردي/جمعي – مزدوج)، وخبرة المعالج في مجال الاعتماد (من حيث عدد السنوات). تکونت العينة من مجموعتين: المجموعة الأولى تکونت من (50 منتکسا) من الذکور المنتکسين على المواد النفسية، وذلک بمتوسط للعمر قدره (32,42) سنة وبانحراف معياري قدره (5,051) سنة، والمجموعة الثانية تکونت من (50 متعافيا) من الذکور المتعافين من الاعتماد على المواد النفسية بمتوسط للعمر قدره (32,62) سنة، وبانحراف معياري قدره (5,532) سنة. وتم استخدام مقياس المقاومة النفسية من إعداد مروة حسين واصف، ويتکون من ستة مکونات، وتم حساب خصائصه السيکومترية المتمثلة في الثبات والصدق. وأشارت نتائج الدراسة إلى وجود فروق دالة بين المنتکسين والمتعافين في المقاومة النفسية في اتجاه مجموعة المتعافين، کما کشفت النتائج عن عدم وجود فروق دالة في المقاومة النفسية في ضوء متغيرات السياق العلاجي بالبحث الحالي. وقد نوقشت النتائج في ضوء مدى تحقق فروض الدراسة والتراث البحثي المتاح. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the differences between male relapsed and psychoactive substances dependence- recovered patients in psychological resilience according to some variables in the therapeutic context. These variables are represented in the type of therapy (psychosocial – medical/ dual), the nature of sessions (individual / group - dual) and the experience of the therapist in the field of dependence (in terms of the number of years). The sample consists of two groups. The first group consists of (50 relapsed) of males relapsing in psychoactive substances with an average age of (32,42 ± 5,051) years. The second group consists of (50 recovered) of males recovering from dependence on psychoactive substances with an average age of (32,62 ± 5,532) years. The psychological resilience scale prepared by Marwa Hussein Wasef has been employed. It consists of six main components, after calculating its psychometric properties represented in validity and reliability. The study results have revealed that there are significant differences between relapses and recoveries in psychological resilience in the direction of the group of recoveries. The results have also shown that there are no differences in Psychological Resilience in light of Therapeutic Context Variables in the current study. The results have been discussed in terms of the extent to which the study hypotheses and available literature have been validated.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Profile of Suicide Attempts in Adults: Case of a Moroccan Hospital

Objective: Over the past decade, and despite the increasing awareness of suicide attempts among adults in Morocco, there was no complete system of statistics. As a result, the socio-demographic profile of reported adult suicide attempts varied in some studies. The purpose of this study was to provide the socio-demographic and clinical profile of suicide attempts in adults in a Moroccan hospital.Methods: A retrospective study of a descriptive type carried out in Psychiatric University Hospital Arrazi-Salé during one and a half year (January 2016 to April 2017). The information was collected using a pre-established questionnaire based on medical records. The data entry and statistical evaluation were performed by the SPSS software (20.0).Results: A total of 62 patients were recruited, 32 women and 30 men who met the eligibility criteria. The profile of the suicidal attempters who must be kept in the hospital to prevent a suicidal recidivism is a young adult between the ages of 25 and 40, male, with psychiatric disorder: mood disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic or psychopathic personality, alcohol or other psychoactive substance dependence, familial and emotional connectedness, material deprivation with previous suicide attempt that demonstrates the possibility of acting out because as we known that the risk of recidivism increases with the number of previous attempts.Conclusion: The development of repeated epidemiological surveys makes it possible to better understand the prevalence of suicide attempts in Morocco and to implement suicide prevention programs.

DRD4, DRD2, DAT1, and ANKK1 Genes Polymorphisms in Patients with Dual Diagnosis of Polysubstance Addictions.

Background: Approximately 25–50% of people diagnosed with substance use disorder experience psychiatric disorders, and this percentage is even higher if subclinical psychopathological symptomatology is taken into consideration. ”Dual diagnosis” implies the comorbidity of two disorders (mental disorder and addiction), but in a clinical setting, numerous dual diagnoses involve multiple addictions (polysubstance use means the concurrent use of more than one psychoactive substance). Clinical observations and epidemiological studies showed that the use of stimulants in combination with other substances results in additional risks. Apart from the clinical significance of the specificity of stimulants used in combination with other substances, only non-exhaustive research on the specificity of this comorbidity has been performed to date. The aim of the study was to analyze polymorphisms of the genes (DRD4 VNTR in exon III Ex3, DRD2 rs1076560, rs1800498, rs1079597, rs6276, as well as in the PROM promoter region (rs1799732, ANKK1 Tag1A rs1800497, DAT) in a group of patients diagnosed with polysubstance use disorder, including addiction to stimulants, and the co-occurrence of specific mental disorders in a group of patients diagnosed with polysubstance use disorder, including addiction to stimulants, compared to the group of patients diagnosed with polysubstance use disorder. Methods: The study group consisted of 601 male volunteers with psychoactive substance dependence (n = 300) and non-dependent controls (n = 301). The genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood using standard procedures. Genotyping was conducted with the real-time PCR method. All computations were performed using STATISTICA 13. Results: Psychotic disorders were significantly more common in the group of males with polysubstance addiction, including addiction to stimulants, compared to the group of males with polysubstance addiction without addiction to stimulants. In our own research, different statistical significances were found in the frequency of the DRD4 Ex3 gene polymorphism: s/s was more common in the study group. Psychotic disorders were more common in people addicted to stimulants compared to people addicted to other substances. Conclusions: In our study, psychotic disorders occurred more frequently in the study group of patients with polysubstance addiction, including addiction to stimulants, compared to the control group of patients with polysubstance addiction, but with no addiction to stimulants. Different statistical significances were found in the frequency of the DRD4 Ex3 gene polymorphism: s/s was more common in the study group, while the l/l genotype was less frequent in the study group. In DRD2 PROM rs 1799732, the del allele occurred more often than the ins allele in the study group. In the DRD4 Ex3 gene polymorphism, the s allele was more common in the study group, and the l allele was less frequent. In the DRD4 Ex3 gene polymorphism for the s/s genotype, psychotic disorders and generalized anxiety were more common, while for the s/l and l/l genotype, they were less frequent. The DRD4 Ex3 polymorphism s alleles were more common for depressive episode, dysthymia, and psychotic disorders as well as generalized anxiety disorder. We see a clear genetic aspect here. However, we want to be careful and draw no definite conclusions.

N-acetylcysteine in clinical practice – properties, use and adverse effects

N-acetylcysteine is a simple chemical compound with antioxidant and mucolytic properties. Currently, it is the primary treatment for acetaminophen poisoning. Prior to the introduction of acetylcysteine, acetaminophen overdose was associated with high mortality due to acute liver failure. Owing to its antioxidant properties, acetylcysteine maintains appropriate levels of glutathione, thereby protecting the liver from damage by toxic metabolites of paracetamol. Acetylcysteine is also used for infections with excess respiratory secretions. The mechanism of action of cysteine derivatives involves cleavage of disulfide bonds between the macromolecules present in the mucus and, consequently, reduction of mucus viscosity. Clinical trials have shown that N-acetylcysteine also plays an important role in relieving cough by eliminating mucus from the airways. Owing to its antioxidant properties, it can also prevent contrast-induced nephropathy. It was shown that prophylactic doses of acetylcysteine administered the day before and at the day of contrast administration are effective in preventing contrastinduced nephropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease. The compound can also modulate pathophysiological processes involved in many mental and neurological disorders. There is also evidence supporting the efficacy of acetylcysteine in mental disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, psychoactive substance dependence or bipolar disorder. However, in addition to its therapeutic activity, the drug may also induce adverse effects. Adverse effects of varying severity have been reported since the introduction of acetylcysteine into clinical use.

Suicide risk among persons living with HIV

ABSTRACT Persons living with HIV (PLWH) are significantly more likely to die by suicide compared to the general population. This is the first study to examine the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), insomnia, and substance use disorders on suicidal ideation/behavior among PLWH using electronic medical record (EMR) data. We also evaluated the mutual influence of interactions between PTSD and substance use disorders on suicide risk, consistent with the substance abuse, violence exposure, and HIV/AIDS “SAVA” syndemic model. Participants (n = 2336) were HIV+ individuals recruited through the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Participants provided informed consent for extraction of their EMR. As hypothesized, univariate analyses revealed that PTSD, MDD, insomnia, alcohol and other substance use disorders (cocaine abuse and cocaine dependence, opioid abuse and dependence, cannabis abuse, other psychoactive substance abuse and dependence, and polysubstance use disorder) were each positively associated with suicidal ideation/behavior. Also as hypothesized, a multivariable analysis found that alcohol and cocaine dependence, MDD, and PTSD were significant predictors of suicidal ideation/behavior. Contrary to hypotheses, none of the interactions between PTSD and substance use disorders were significantly associated with suicidal ideation/behavior.

Исследование ассоциации полиморфизма гена серотонинового рецептора HTR2C rs6318 (C23S) с синдромом зависимости от психоактивных веществ

Серотониновые рецепторы участвуют в регуляции настроения, аппетита и различных аспектов поведения. Рецепторы 5-HT2C регулируют высвобождение дофамина в полосатом теле, префронтальной коре, прилежащем ядре, гиппокампе, гипоталамусе, миндалине и некоторых других структурах мозга. Целью исследования было изучение связи полиморфизма гена HTR2C c синдромом зависимости от психоактивных веществ. В исследование было включено 1097 человек, из которых 773 человека были здоровы в отношении наркологических заболеваний, 324 были пациентами, госпитализированными с диагнозом синдром отмены, вызванным употреблением психоактивных веществ. Когорта здоровых была представлена 473 женщинами и 300 мужчинами, в то время как больных - 220 мужчинами и 104 женщинами. Частоты аллелей локуса rs6318 у женщин распределились следующим образом: у больных fG= 0,861 fC = 0,139, у здоровых fG= 0,865 fC = 0,135. ORС = 1,04 (CI=0,95: 0,67-1,60). Частоты аллелей локуса rs6318 у мужчин распределились следующим образом: у больных fG= 0,841 fC = 0,159, у здоровых fG= 0,87 fC = 0,13. ORС = 1,27 (CI=0,95: 0,77-2,07). Serotonin receptors are involved in regulation of mood, appetite and different aspects of behavior. 5-HT2C receptors modulate dopamine release in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus and some other brain structures. HTR2C genetic polymorphism rs6318 is known to lead to a substitution of serine for cysteine at codon 23 (Cys23Ser). There is some evidence that the Ser23 C allele is supposed to be more active than the Cys23 G allele. Despite of numerous articles about this polymorphism, the data on its contribution to substance dependence syndrome is missing. The aim of this study was to assess possible association between HTR2C rs6318 polymorphism and substance dependence syndrome. The study included 1087 participants: 773 controls and 324 patients, diagnosed with psychoactive substance dependence with withdrawal. The allele frequencies of rs6318 polymorphism were: fG= 0.861 fC = 0.139 in female patients, fG= 0.865 fC = 0.135 in female controls, in male patients fG= 0.841 fC = 0.159, and in male controls fG= 0.87 fC = 0.13.

Analysis of the association of the PRDM12 gene with pain sensitivity in individuals with psychoactive substance dependence

Early diagnosis of susceptibility to psychoactive substance (PAS) use and addiction is a pressing problem of addictology. The development of PAS dependence involves a reward system that also plays a key role in the modulation of nociception. The PRDM12 gene associated with congenital insensitivity to pain is involved in neurogenesis and affects the properties of nerve cells. Objective: to comparatively assess pain sensitivity in mental and behavioral disorders caused by the use of PASs in healthy individuals and subjects with their occasional uses according to the genotype of rs10121864 in the PRDM12 gene. Patients and methods. Examinations were made in 103 patients with addiction to PAS (F1x.2), in 114 apparently healthy individuals (a control group) and in 36 subjects who occasionally used PASs (a risk group). The pain sensitivity threshold and pain tolerance were determined by tensoalgometry; a subjective assessment of pain thresholds was made using a visual analogue scale. Genotyping was performed using the PRDM12 rs10121864 polymorphism. Results and discussion. The distribution of the genotypes of PRDM12 rs101218 was statistically significantly different in the comparison groups. Odds ratio (OR) calculation showed that in the subjects who occasionally used PASs, the risk of their dependence was several times greater than that in carriers of the mutant A allele (OR, 2.52; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.42–4.50) of rs10121864 and its homozygous genotype AA (OR, 6.66; 95% CI, 1.50–29.54) and in those of alternative genotypes. The PRDM12 was also found to be associated with the parameter of subjective assessment of pain sensitivity in PAS-dependent subjects. Thus, this parameter was significantly lower in the carriers of the mutant A allele than in those of the GG genotype. Conclusion. The A allele and AA genotype of PRDM12 rs10121864 were established to be associated with the risk of PAS dependence and with the parameter of subjective perception of the upper pain threshold.