Background: despite the significant number of studies devoted to the study of compliance and its role in the recovery process, existing assessment methods often demonstrate limited prognostic potential. The aim of study: to investigate the specificity and differences of resourcefulness and resilience as factors of compliance in patients with qualitatively different mental disorders. Patients and Methods: using the Resourcefulness for Recovery Inventory Scale, the Emotional Intelligence (EmIn) Questionnaire developed by D.V. Lyusin, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), 120 patients aged 18–25 years (mean age 22 ± 3.5 years) were examined. The sample was divided into four equal diagnostic groups: patients with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (F40–F48), with emotionally unstable borderline personality disorder (F60.31), with schizophrenia (F20), with mental disorders and behavioral disorders associated with the use of psychoactive substances (F10–F19). Statistical analysis was performed using the Welch criterion and correlation analysis (Spearman). Results: significant differences were found between the groups in the level of resourcefulness and stability (RRI), emotional intelligence (EmIn) and alexithymia (TAS-20). Correlation analysis showed the presence of significant two-way relationships between emotional intelligence (EmIn) and factors contributing to recovery (RRI), as well as two-way positive correlations between the level of alexithymia (TAS-20) and the ability to recover (RRI). Conclusion: it has been established that patients with neurotic disorders and borderline personality disorder have a higher ability for compliance and recovery compared to patients dependent on psychoactive substances and patients with schizophrenia. These results can be used in the elaboration of psychotherapeutic strategies aimed at increasing compliance and treatment effectiveness through the development of resourcefulness and emotional regulation.

BackgroundeHealth is an increasingly used method of health care in the field of psycho-oncology. While many reports highlight the positive impact of psychological eHealth tools, some patients refuse to use them.ObjectiveThis study aimed to expand knowledge of the motivation and psychoemotional functioning of patients who consciously refuse to use eHealth technology in the form of a mobile psycho-oncology app offered as part of a clinical trial. To our knowledge, this is the first study to address this topic.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2022 and February 2023 to investigate the reasons why 56 patients with breast cancer refused to use the psycho-oncology mobile app offered as part of a clinical trial by the Breast Cancer Unit. The primary aim of the study was to analyze patients’ self-reported reasons for not engaging with the app, while also exploring their psychoemotional functioning, including stress levels (measured using the distress thermometer), personality traits (measured using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory), coping strategies (measured using the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Questionnaire), and Self-efficacy (measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale). Participants in this study declined the app intervention but agreed to participate in this separate observational study, indicating that their refusal was related to the app itself rather than to participation in clinical research in general.ResultsThe patients experienced a clinically meaningful elevation in stress levels (mean 5, SD 2.1 points) and Self-efficacy (mean 32.1, SD 5.1 points). Among 5 dimensions of personality traits, patients scored highest in Agreeableness (mean 6.5, SD 0.8 stens) and Conscientiousness (mean 6.4, SD 0.9) and lowest in Neuroticism (mean 3.4, SD 1.8) (other dimensions: Extraversion [mean 5.8, SD 1.6 stens] and Openness to Experiences [mean 4.4, SD 1.5 stens]). In terms of coping with stress, patients most frequently used the strategies of Active Coping (mean 2.6, SD 0.5 points), Acceptance (mean 2.6, SD 0.6 points), and Seeking Emotional Support (mean 2.6, SD 0.6 points), and least frequently used the strategies of Psychoactive Substance Use (mean 0.2, SD 0.6 points) and Restraint (mean 0.5, SD 0.7 points). Patient responses regarding refusal to participate in app testing were divided into four categories: (1) Focus on Life Outside the Disease, (2) Focus on Disease and Treatment, (3) Denial Mechanism, and (4) Technical Issues. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups. The Focus on Life Outside the Disease group of patients had higher levels of Self-efficacy, lower Neuroticism, and more frequent use of the Positive reevaluation strategy compared to the other groups.ConclusionsOur patients’ decision not to use the eHealth psycho-oncology app was mainly influenced by characteristics suggesting better emotional coping with the disease and treatment. These factors were significantly more influential than other factors studied, particularly those related to technology. Assessing reasons for opting out of eHealth and associated psychomotional functioning may be important for improving patients’ adoption of eHealth solutions.

Letter to Editor: Non-invasive liver fibrosis screening and referral patterns in women with dependence due to psychoactive substance use: A single-centre retrospective study.

Background: Experiential avoidance (EA) refers to the tendency to evade or suppress unpleasant internal experiences, such as distressing thoughts, emotions, or bodily sensations. Increasing evidence indicates that EA plays a central role in the onset and maintenance of addictive behaviours. Objective: To synthesise quantitative evidence on the association between experiential avoidance (EA), operationalised as psychological inflexibility, and psychoactive substance use (PSU) outcomes, including substance use frequency/quantity, craving, dependence severity, relapse/abstinence, and treatment response, and to characterise putative pathways (EA as predictor/mediator) and correlates (e.g., affect regulation and trauma-related factors). Methods: A systematic search was conducted in SCOPUS, Web of Science, PubMed, and APA PsycNet, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies included experimental and observational designs, clinical and non-clinical populations, and publications from January 2000 to January 2026 in English or Spanish. Primary outcomes were PSU behaviour and severity (frequency/quantity, craving, dependence symptoms, relapse/abstinence) and treatment outcomes; secondary outcomes included emotional and behavioural correlates linked to EA. Results: Across studies, higher levels of EA were consistently associated with greater substance use-particularly alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other illicit drugs. EA frequently mediated the relationships between emotional dysregulation, trauma exposure, and addictive behaviour. Elevated EA was also linked to impulsivity, psychiatric comorbidity, and poorer treatment adherence and outcomes. Interventions explicitly targeting EA-most notably Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-showed promising effects in reducing avoidance and substance use. Conclusions: Experiential avoidance emerges as a transdiagnostic process underlying vulnerability to, and persistence of, substance use disorders. Integrating third-wave behavioural interventions that promote psychological flexibility may enhance the efficacy of addiction treatment. Future research should explore these mechanisms in culturally diverse and under-represented contexts.

An important problem remains drug addiction in the population of most countries, including residents of Russian regions. A significant transformation of the drug situation in the world is associated with changes in the motives for initiation and drug use, with the social portrait and lifestyle of drug and psychoactive substance users, and the composition of the substances taken. On the other hand, there is a weakening of social control institutions due to emerging trends in the “everyday” use of illegal substances. The authors noted that the trend of growth and transformation of drug addiction registered in the world community is also registered in the regions of Russia, the distinctive features of which are considered using the example of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. The purpose of the study was to analyze and summarize the causes of drug use in the world, country, region in order to establish emerging trends. Based on the results of the analysis of domestic and foreign sources, the researchers noted that scientists tend to divide the problems of drug addiction into “sectoral” aspects: medical, psychological, legal, pedagogical, sociological. The above determines the relevance of a systematic study of medical-social, medical-organizational and medical-legal aspects of combating illegal trafficking and non-medical use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. As part of the review, the authors came to the conclusion that the multifaceted nature of the problems of drug addiction in society requires solving not individual, isolated, mainly departmental, regional, country problems, but a set of problems of drug addiction in society that have common features at all levels. Apparently, an important aspect is a comparative legal analysis of the emerging national anti-drug policy aimed at finding tools for its implementation in accordance with international principles, norms, country and regional specifics. The formation of a well-developed scientific methodology and effective measures aimed at managing the growing set of trends, potential threats and ways to eliminate the consequences of the addiction in society will allow forming the right anti-drug patterns.

Psychoactive substance use (PSU) and cancer are frequently observed comorbidities that have reciprocal influences and shared behavioral traits of the affected patients. While, e.g., nicotine and alcohol are major carcinogens in the etiology of lung and head and neck cancers, little is known about a shared overarching genetic architecture of PSU and cancer that may predispose individuals to both illnesses. Large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data revealed shared genetic architecture between cancer and PSU, including alcohol use dependence (AlcUD) and nicotine use dependence (NicUD). Genetic correlations between PSU and cancer were assessed by linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) and high-definition likelihood (HDL). Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was additionally employed to explore causal associations between PSU and cancer. Moreover, phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) and drug target analysis were utilized to evaluate the safety and therapeutic value of pleiotropic hub genes. GWAS-based cross-referencing of PSU and cancer identified 34 shared trait pairs with significant genetic correlations and a total of 97 pleiotropic genomic risk loci. Affected loci mapped to genes expressed in the brain cerebellum (n = 109) and included cross-trait pleiotropic hub genes (n = 21). MR analysis further identified causal effects of AlcUD and NicUD on cancer risk. After exclusion of genes at high risk of side effects upon inhibition in a PheWAS, cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 2 (CHRNA2), histamine receptor H3 (HRH3), and protein tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6) were identified as potentially druggable targets. In summary, we identified a shared genetic architecture comprising pleiotropic cerebellar hub genes linking PSU-cancer trait pairs and described potential interventional drugs.

The study analyzes the epidemiological profile of suicide victims and suicide attempts attended by the Paraná Military Fire Department, through the 5th Military Fire Battalion (5º BBM – Maringá), from 2017 to 2024, and assesses the level of detail in the records and their usefulness for interventions and follow-up by the health system. This is a quantitative, documentary, and retrospective study based on the analysis of operational records from the 5th BBM, of which, after screening, 199 occurrences related to the phenomenon were confirmed. The variables include gender, age, means used, location of the attempt, outcome, injuries, use of psychoactive substances, use of controlled drugs and history of attempts. The results indicate a predominance of men, with the highest concentration of ages between 25 and 34, while for women, the age range was 15 to 24. The most frequently used means was jumping from high places, with hanging presenting the highest lethality in the period analyzed. In some of the cases, an association was observed with mental disorders, use of controlled medications, alcohol, and other drugs. Hospital referral is the predominant outcome in these cases. It is concluded that there is a significant gap between the recording of operational information and its use for preventive mental health follow-up actions, highlighting the need for a standardized form for assisting people with suicidal behavior and for automatic notification to specialized mental health services in the territory.

BackgroundChina’s drug landscape is rapidly evolving, yet existing research remains fragmented, lacking a comprehensive national perspective. This study analyzes current drug use patterns, trends, and regional differences in China, providing critical insights to guide effective anti-drug policies.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive multilevel analysis of secondary data of drug use data from the China Drug Situation Report (2005–2023) and 34 academic articles (1990–2021). Our analysis includes descriptive statistics, time series, regional differences, and population-specific trends.ResultsThis study identifies a declining trend in traditional drug use, while the use of new synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) is increasing. Strong negative correlations were found between law enforcement intensity and overall drug use (r: −0.89 to −0.92). Significant regional disparity in NPS use was identified, with prevalence substantially higher in southern China than in the north (p = 0.019). Traditional drugs are more prevalent in the northwest and central regions, while new drugs and NPS are more commonly found in the eastern coastal and central urban areas. The use of NPS is notably higher among adolescents in economically developed regions.ConclusionThe analysis delineates a clear shift in China’s drug landscape from traditional drugs to NPS, with concentrations in southern, coastal, and adolescent demographics. These patterns suggest that effective policy responses should be regionally tailored and prioritize youth prevention in economically advanced areas. Future research is needed to verify these associations and explore underlying causal mechanisms.

Substance use expectancies influence individuals' confidence in resisting drug use, yet the relationship between these expectancies and self-efficacy in clinical populations undergoing treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to document patterns of psychoactive substance use and examine how positive and negative substance use expectancies predict drug use avoidance self-efficacy among individuals receiving treatment for SUD in rehabilitation centres. Participants (N = 216, 80.1% males; age range 17–44 years, mean age = 27.95, SD = 6.12) were recruited from three National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) drug treatment and rehabilitation centers in Southeastern Nigeria. Data were collected using the Psychoactive Substance Use Questionnaire (PSUQ), Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES), and Substance Use Expectancy Questionnaire (SUEQ). Results revealed that cannabis (89.4%), alcohol (84.7%), shisha (66.7%), coffee (63.9%), codeine (56.0%), and sedatives (56.9%) were the most frequently used substances in the past year. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that positive expectancies were negatively correlated with drug avoidance selfefficacy (r = −.43, P <.001), while negative expectancies showed no significant correlation with self-efficacy (r = −.06, P >.05). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis demonstrated that while negative expectancies were not significant predictors of drug use avoidance self-efficacy (β = .06, P =.423), participants reporting higher positive expectancies exhibited significantly reduced self-efficacy (β = −.46, P <.001). This model accounted for 20.0% of the variance in drug use avoidance self-efficacy. The findings suggest that positive substance use expectancies play a critical role in diminishing perceived ability to avoid drug use during rehabilitation.

As new psychoactive substances (NPS) continue to emerge both in the US and globally, research is needed to determine the extent of adverse effects associated with NPS use beyond poisonings or mortality to inform prevention and harm reduction efforts in this population. Data were from the National Drug Early Warning System Rapid Street Reporting study, which uses a venue-intercept design to survey adults (≥ 18 years) in US cities over weekend periods. Between January 2022 and November 2023, 6039 individuals were surveyed in 20 cities regarding their use of a range of NPS and other common drugs. Those reporting past 12-month use of a drug were asked if they experienced a harmful or very unpleasant effect after use. Overall, among those reporting any past 12-month NPS use (n = 259), over a quarter (27.03%) reported experiencing an adverse effect related to the use of at least one NPS in the past 12 months. Among those reporting NPS use, those who also reported past 12-month opioid use had over two times the prevalence of reporting an adverse effect related to NPS use (adjusted prevalence ratio 2.66, 95% confidence interval 1.41, 5.01). Symptom profiles were broadly similar between NPS and common drug classes. Adverse effects from NPS appear to be common among those self-reporting NPS use, particularly among those reporting polysubstance use. More data are needed to determine event-specific adverse outcomes involving the use of NPS and other drugs.

SummaryBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare services and intensified socio-economic vulnerabilities, potentially escalating harmful substance use. In Brazil, pre-pandemic mortality from alcohol and drug use was stable. However, the pandemic introduced new risks that may have triggered a significant increase in related deaths. This study, therefore, aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol- and drug-related deaths in Brazil from 2020 to 2022.MethodsThis population-based ecological study analyzed alcohol- and drug-related mortality across Brazil from 2015 to 2022 using data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM). Temporal trends were examined using Joinpoint regression, while interrupted time-series analyses assessed deviations post-pandemic onset. Spatial variations were visualized using choropleth maps.FindingsAlcohol- and drug-related mortality increased by 18.3% in 2020, 22.4% in 2021, and 26.0% in 2022. The Northeast (2020 = 24.9%; 2021 = 24.0%; 2022 = 31.8%), Southeast (2020 = 18.2%; 2021 = 24.3%; 2022 = 21.0%), and South (2020 = 13.1%; 2021 = 23.6%; 2022 = 35.2%) regions recorded the highest increases, with most states showing significant growth in deaths. We also observed an increase in mortality associated with the use of Psychoactive substances (PAS) in both sexes (male: average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) = 3.6%; female: AAPC = 4.6%), individuals aged 20 to 39 (AAPC = 2.0%), and those aged 60 and above (AAPC = 1.8%). Interrupted time-series analyses confirmed a marked and statistically significant increase in mortality post-March 2020.InterpretationThe findings suggest a collateral epidemic of substance-related deaths fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic's disruptions to harm reduction services, treatment access, and socio-economic stability. These results underscore the urgent need to enhance healthcare systems, reinforce harm reduction services, and develop intersectoral policies targeting social inequalities to mitigate future crises.FundingThis research is part of the PEGA@ACAO study and was funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grant #2024/15320-5 and #2025/04763-6); the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, grant #405741/2024-3); and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, finance code #001).

Chemsex, defined as the intentional use of psychoactive substances to enhance sexual activity, has been associated with a higher frequency of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosis among HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users. Evidence from Latin America remains limited. This research aims to characterize the practice of chemsex and STIs prevalence in PrEP users in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study using clinical records and a self-administered ad-hoc questionnaire among PrEP users attending four public hospitals. Between February to October 2024, 165 PrEP users were included. The prevalence of chemsex, during the previous year, was 32%. The drugs used, in order of frequency, were MDMA 21%; cocaine 14%; gamma-hydroxybutyrate 12%; ketamine 10%; methamphetamine 6%; mephedrone 2%; and gamma-butyrolactone 1%. Additionally, 48% reported concurrent use of two or more drugs during the practice. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that engaging in chemsex was significantly associated with higher odds of reporting an STI in the past year [aOR 3.67 (95% CI 1.67 - 8.42) p 0.001). Age, time on PrEP, number of sexual partners, and engagement in group sex were not independently associated with STI diagnosis. In conclusion, chemsex was common among PrEP users in Buenos Aires and independently associated with recent STI diagnosis, highlighting the importance of integrating behavioral assessments and harm reduction strategies into PrEP and sexual health policymaking.

Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome that can occur in association with psychiatric conditions, general medical disorders, or use of psychoactive substances. Roughly 20% of catatonia cases are due to general medical conditions, two-thirds of which are neurological conditions. The authors aimed to review the diagnostic and treatment challenges posed by catatonia due to neurological conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders. The authors considered the diagnostic and treatment challenges of catatonia in three areas: neurodevelopmental disorders, with a focus on autism spectrum disorder; acquired neurological disorders of epilepsy, anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis, and neuropsychiatric disorders due to traumatic brain injury; and the neurocognitive conditions delirium and dementia. One consideration was how clinicians might differentiate features of catatonia from common neurological findings in these conditions. Many of catatonia's features overlap with those in neurological conditions and vice versa. This overlap often leads to underdiagnosis of catatonia, misdiagnosis, or diagnostic uncertainty, which may introduce clinical conundrums and make accurate identification of catatonia clinically important, with potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Accurate diagnosis of catatonia is necessary to ensure timely workup and clinical management. The challenges reviewed here emphasize the importance of a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to managing catatonia in neurological and psychiatric settings. Additional research is needed to understand the complex relationship between catatonia and neurological conditions.

Background/Objectives: Urine drug testing (UDT) is a core component of nursing interventions within the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD). Beyond the detection of psychoactive substance use and medication adherence, UDT also provides opportunities for therapeutic dialogue, patient support, and recovery monitoring. Despite its routine use, little is known about how patients experience UDT and its potential as a therapeutic nursing tool within recovery-oriented care. This study aimed to explore patients' lived experiences with UDT to understand its role in recovery-oriented addiction treatment. Methods: A phenomenological study with in-depth, semi-structured interviews was conducted among 12 residents of a supervised living facility at Addiction Care North Netherlands. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. Results: Four main themes were constructed in relation to trust within the therapeutic relationship-empowerment, accountability, and autonomy. Patients stated that their perception of UDTs as either supportive or punitive depended strongly on the level of trust within the therapeutic relationship. When trust was present, UDTs were experienced as supportive nursing tools that fostered empowerment and positive self-image, reinforced accountability for recovery goals, and upheld autonomy in decision-making. Conversely, in the absence of trust, UDTs were often perceived as punitive, coercive measures that undermined self-confidence and diminished accountability, ultimately hindering recovery progress. Nursing practices that emphasized nonjudgmental interpretation of results, collaborative decision-making, and patient-centered support contributed to positive experiences. Conclusions: Patients' experiences indicate that the therapeutic value of UDT is highly dependent on the quality of the patient-nurse relationship. Nurses play a key role in ensuring that UDT is used as a supportive intervention rather than merely a control measure. Integrating UDT into holistic, recovery-oriented care can foster engagement, empowerment, and a sense of accountability. Future research should investigate nursing-led strategies to optimize UDT implementation tailored to treatment phase and patient needs.

External causes account for over four million deaths globally each year, with psychoactive substance use being a major risk factor. However, the true impact and regional patterns of psychoactive substance use in these deaths remains undefined in Brazil. To address this critical knowledge gap, this pioneering four-city study sought to elucidate the prevalence of alcohol and drug use by external cause victims. We collected postmortem blood from 3577 victims of violent death across four distinct Brazilian cities (Belém, Recife, Vitória, and Curitiba), representing the North, Northeast, Southeast, and South regions, respectively, using a standardized protocol to identify alcohol, illicit drugs, and psychoactive medicines. Analysis revealed a predominantly male cohort (89.7%; 56.0% aged 30 years or more), with homicide as the primary manner of death (67.3%). Over half of the victims (53.0%) tested positive for at least one psychoactive substance prior to death; cocaine (29.6%) and alcohol (27.7%) were most common. Substance use was highest among homicide victims (55.7%), especially cocaine (36.0%), and among self-harm cases (54.6%), which showed elevated benzodiazepine prevalence (20.0%). Substance use patterns varied regionally: alcohol-related deaths were more common in Recife (Northeast), drug-only deaths concentrated in Vitória (Southeast) and Belém (North), and Curitiba (South) showed a higher prevalence of alcohol use versus drug use. This widespread, regionally heterogeneous prevalence underscores the urgent need for targeted, region-specific interventions. By critically linking psychoactive substance use to various modes of violent death, these data provide crucial forensic and public health insights to inform tailored preventive strategies.

IntroductionThe south-central region of Somalia has faced recurrent armed conflicts, unrest and climatic shocks resulting in forced displacement, marginalization and social exclusion of the people affected by these enduring humanitarian crises. While psychological trauma and economic hardships are recognized contributors to mental health conditions and substance use, evidence on the prevalence and patterns of substance use in Somalia remains scarce. This study investigates the prevalence and patterns of substance use among populations living in conflict-affected districts of South-Central Somalia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 694 participants who were selected from three purposively selected conflict-affected districts of south-central Somalia using a multi-stage systematic random sampling procedure with probability proportion to size (PPS) technique. The study participants belonged to both host communities and living in the camps of internally displaced people (IDP). All people, both male and female aged ≥18 years living in these districts for at-least 6 months preceding the study were eligible for inclusion in the study. The study was conducted from October to December 2021. A specially designed questionnaire was used for collecting the data on socio-demographic characteristics, while the WHO Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) tool was used for collection of data on the use of psychoactive substances. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed, and logistic regression was applied to identify socio-demographic determinants of substance use.ResultsThe overall lifetime prevalence of any substance use among the study participants was 53.60% (95% CI: 49.89%-57.31%) and the prevalence of current substance use was 51.30% (95% CI: 47.58%-55.02%). Among lifetime users, tobacco was the most commonly used substance (39.19%), followed by sedatives (37.46%), while cocaine was the least used (0.72%) substance. Males had higher odds of lifetime substance use compared to females (aOR = 7.31; 95% CI: 5.09–10.50). Participants who studied in Madrasah/Quranic school were less likely to have lifetime substance use compared to those with higher education (aOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.14–0.57). Those who were single showed significant association with lifetime substance use compared to married individuals (aOR=1.94; 95% CI: 1.34–2.79).ConclusionHigh prevalence of both lifetime and current illicit substance use was identified in young male people living in the conflict-affected areas of Somalia. These findings highlight the need for integrated public health and regulatory responses to address substance use conflict-affected Somali populations, alongside efforts to strengthen treatment capacity.

This paper presents a concise summary of the theoretical review corresponding to the research carried out by the author during the years 2024-2025, as part of her doctoral thesis at UMECIT. Purpose: To present the rationale for the study of psychoactive substance use and prevention (PSU) in primary school students in Colombia. The methodology follows the positivist-sociological paradigm of descriptive documentary review (Hernández et al., 2021) and drew on various publications by leading institutions, theorists, researchers, and laws of the country on the subject: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE, 2022), Colombian Ministry of Education (2021), National Institute of Health (INS, 2022), and Colombian Drug Observatory (ODC, 2022). The categories are analyzed using the significant association technique, which is based on compiled statistical data and the qualification of findings from the literature; all of which exposes the analysis and interpretation of the systematized readings by the author. The conclusions offer a diagnostic synthesis and proposals for intervention applicable at the elementary school level for the prevention of PAS consumption, arising from the specific recommendations of the authors studied.

BackgroundWastewater–based epidemiology (WBE) has the potential to produce reliable, efficient, and non-invasive measures of current psychoactive drug use. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and validity of using WBE to estimate current cocaine use among university students at a residential campus.MethodsWe analyzed wastewater samples from four locations at a residential university campus during spring semester of 2021, testing for cocaine metabolites in addition to control comparison substances (acetaminophen and caffeine). We simultaneously administered a confidential self-report survey of recent substance use behaviors to a randomized sample of undergraduate students at this university.ResultsSelf-reported survey estimates of cocaine use and point estimates of cocaine use derived from wastewater-based epidemiology are similar, but the survey is imprecise with a wide CI, and agreement is sensitive to key WBE assumptions; thus, results are consistent but not conclusive. The self-report survey results indicated 0.13% of respondents were regular cocaine users, which is equivalent to the estimate of 0.12% of students using cocaine as measured through WBE. This prevalence is also in line with the 0.14% National American College Health Association (NACHA) survey during the same semester.ConclusionsWBE shows promise as a complementary approach for estimating current cocaine use among students on a residential campus; with current data the WBE point estimate is similar to the survey point estimate, but uncertainty in both measures (especially the survey) requires further research.

BackgroundSensory processing difficulties (SPD) could significantly impact the daily functioning of university students, potentially affecting their academic performance and occupational balance (OB). However, this critical issue remains underexplored in the literature. The PREstEO study aims to investigate the association between SPD, OB, and academic performance among first-year university students and throughout their undergraduate studies. Additionally, the study will assess the prevalence of SPD and its associated factors in this population.Materials and methodsPREstEO is a longitudinal observational cohort study conducted at the Miguel Hernández University, Spain. The study aims to recruit first-year students (from September–October 2025) and follow them over four years (2025–2029). SPD will be assessed using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), while OB and academic performance will be measured using the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ-E) and students’ grade point average (GPA), respectively. Secondary measures include psychological distress, impulsivity, sleep quality, and problematic use of videogames, the internet, and psychoactive substances. Recruitment will involve in-person invitations and institutional media campaigns. Follow-ups will be conducted annually. Statistical analyses will include robust multiple linear regressions and generalized linear mixed models, adjusting for relevant sociodemographic and behavioral factors.DiscussionBy adopting a longitudinal approach, PREstEO will provide novel insights into how sensory processing patterns interact with students’ daily lives over time. The findings will help to build strategies to enhance university students’ well-being and academic success.

Background and objectives: Suicide attempts and self-harm are critical issues in adolescence, often leading to serious and irreversible consequences. These behaviours frequently co-occur and share common biopsychosocial risk factors. Identifying these factors enables a more comprehensive assessment of suicide and self-harm risk, helping specialists recognize high-risk individuals and implement effective preventive measures. This study aimed to examine the association between suicide attempts, self-harm and psychosocial factors among hospitalized adolescents. Materials and methods: A retrospective data analysis was performed using the database of the University Department of Children and Adolescents of the Republican Vilnius Psychiatric Hospital. The study covered patients' records from December 2022 to February 2025. Information on gender, age, suicide attempts, self-harm, adverse events (bullying, psychological abuse, physical violence within the family, and sexual abuse) and unhealthy habits (smoking, harmful alcohol consumption, and psychoactive substance use), was selected and analyzed in this study. A Chi-square test was used to assess the difference between groups. Results were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results: The study included 599 hospitalized adolescents (26.9% boys; mean age 15.1 ± 1.4 years), of whom 70.8% reported at least one episode of self-harm and 37.8% at least one suicide attempt. Rates of self-harm and suicide attempts were significantly higher in girls than in boys (self-harm: 81.3% vs. 42.2%, ϕ=0.381, p<0.001; suicide attempts: 45.5% vs. 16.5%, ϕ=0.304, p<0.001), and adolescents with self-harm had a significantly higher prevalence of suicide attempts than those without self-harm (46.7% vs. 15.8%, ϕ=0.308, p<0.001). Adverse childhood experiences and unhealthy behaviours were significantly more frequent in adolescents with self-harm and suicide attempts, although effect sizes were small to moderate (ϕ range 0.086-0.230, all p<0.05). In multivariable models, female gender (β=0.355, p<0.001) and smoking (β=0.330, p<0.001) were the strongest predictors of self-harm, whereas alcohol use (β=0.337, p<0.001) and self-harm (β=0.232, p<0.001). Conclusions: Exposure to adverse childhood experiences and engagement in unhealthy habits were associated with higher rates of both self-harm and suicide attempts. A comprehensive assessment and early detection of self-harm behaviours and adverse psychosocial circumstances are crucial elements of effective suicide prevention strategies and prompt intervention among high-risk adolescents.