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Trauma, Violence & Abuse Jul 2024Since the last two decades, the scientific community has made an effort to analyze drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA). However, a lack of understanding remains about... (Review)
Review
Since the last two decades, the scientific community has made an effort to analyze drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA). However, a lack of understanding remains about the DFSA problem, particularly concerning the opportunistic variant. Facing this situation, a systematic review of the term DFSA is carried out from its first appearance in the scientific databases consulted (Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed) to the current day. The search resulted in 773 publications, reduced to a final study sample composed of 19 articles. Eligible studies for this review had to meet certain inclusion criteria, in addition to providing information on DFSA prevalence, DFSA victim profile, DFSA offender profile, involved drugs, or contextual information about the assault. The results demonstrated that the assailants are men, who mostly know victims before the assault. The victims are young women under 30 years old. Alcohol is the drug involved in most DFSA cases, prevailing a voluntary use. Most assaults occur in private spaces, particularly the aggressors' own homes. Furthermore, there is a detected need for a standard definition of DFSA to allow the different actors involved in dealing with sexual violence to work effectively together, and, at the same time, it is detected that the available studies overrepresent proactive DFSA and underestimate opportunism, the most common involved in DFSA cases.
Topics: Humans; Sex Offenses; Female; Crime Victims; Male; Adult; Substance-Related Disorders; Young Adult; Prevalence
PubMed: 37650508
DOI: 10.1177/15248380231195877 -
Addiction (Abingdon, England) Feb 2023To evaluate qualitative research on substance use and substance use disorders (SUDs) among refugees in terms of practitioners' and substance users' attitudes, beliefs... (Review)
Review
AIMS
To evaluate qualitative research on substance use and substance use disorders (SUDs) among refugees in terms of practitioners' and substance users' attitudes, beliefs and experiences.
METHODS
Six medical, allied health and social sciences databases (EBSCO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scholar and the Cochrane Library) were systematically searched in a time frame between January and April 2021 to identify original peer-reviewed articles describing qualitative findings related to substance use among refugees (alcohol, illicit drugs, tobacco and prescription drugs). Study selection, critical appraisal and detailed extraction were performed via the Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) (2018). Three independent reviewers selected the relevant abstracts and articles. Synthesis of the evidence identified prominent themes relating to the context and consequences of substance use.
RESULTS
Twenty-six studies were included in this review. Twenty-three studies applied qualitative methods and three applied mixed methods. Synthesis of the evidence from the included studies resulted in four main findings: there is a considerable susceptibility of refugees to substance use and SUDs; the harmful consequences of substance use are complicated by the social insecurities of refugees; there are rather high barriers to treatment and health facilities for refugees in many host countries; and there is a strong need to improve effective access to treatment, interventions and prevention approaches.
CONCLUSIONS
Refugees are at high risk for substance use and substance use disorders and often face high barriers to treatment and interventions in host countries.
Topics: Humans; Refugees; Substance-Related Disorders; Qualitative Research; Illicit Drugs; Drug Users
PubMed: 35929580
DOI: 10.1111/add.16021 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2021: Over the past twenty years a large number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have entered and modified the recreational drug scene. Their intake has been associated... (Review)
Review
: Over the past twenty years a large number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have entered and modified the recreational drug scene. Their intake has been associated with health-related risks, especially so for vulnerable populations such as people with severe mental illness, who might be at higher risk of suicidality or self-injurious behavior. This paper aims at providing an overview of NPS abuse and the effects on mental health and suicidality issues, by performing a literature review of the current related knowledge, thereby identifying those substances that, more than others, are linked to suicidal behaviors. : A comprehensive and updated overview of the literature regarding suicidality and NPS categories has been undertaken. An electronic search was performed, including all papers published up to March 2021, using the following keywords "NPS" OR "new psychoactive substances" OR "novel psychoactive substances" OR "synthetic cannabinoids" OR "phenethylamines" OR "synthetic cathinones" OR "tryptamines" OR "piperazines" OR "new synthetic opioids" OR "designer benzodiazepines" AND ("suicide" OR "suicidality") NOT review NOT animal on the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science online databases. : Suicidality and self-injurious behavior appear to be frequently associated with some NPS such as cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, and new synthetic opioids. The results are organized according to the substances recorded. : The growing use of NPS has become a significant clinical issue, causing increasing concern and challenges for clinicians working in both mental health and emergency departments. Thus, considering the associations between NPS and suicidality or self-injurious behaviors, areas where suicide-prevention efforts and strategies might be focused are the early detection, monitoring, and restriction of NPS.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Mental Disorders; Psychotropic Drugs; Substance-Related Disorders; Suicide
PubMed: 34204131
DOI: 10.3390/medicina57060580 -
Current Psychiatry Reports Jun 2022To review the literature on the trends in substance use among youth during the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To review the literature on the trends in substance use among youth during the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic.
RECENT FINDINGS
The pandemic has given rise to concerns about the mental health and social well-being of youth, including its potential to increase or exacerbate substance use behaviors. This systematic review identified and included 49 studies of use across alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, e-cigarettes/vaping, and other drugs, and unspecified substances. The majority of studies across all categories of youth substance use reported reductions in prevalence, except in the case of other drugs and unspecified drug and substance use, which included three studies that reported an increase in use and three studies that reported decrease in use. Overall, the results of this review suggest that the prevalence of youth substance use has largely declined during the pandemic. Youth substance use in the post-pandemic years will require monitoring and continued surveillance.
Topics: Adolescent; COVID-19; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Humans; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 35476186
DOI: 10.1007/s11920-022-01338-z -
Sao Paulo Medical Journal = Revista... 2024Adolescence is characterized by complex and dynamic changes, often involving experimentation, including the use of psychotropic substances. Although it is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Adolescence is characterized by complex and dynamic changes, often involving experimentation, including the use of psychotropic substances. Although it is well-established that recreational psychotropic drugs are associated with suicide ideation in adults, evidence of this association in adolescents remains limited.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between suicide ideation and psychotropic recreational drug use among adolescents.
DESIGN AND SETTING
Systematic review with meta-analysis developed at Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU) and Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil.
METHODS
A search across eight electronic databases for observational studies, without language or publication year restrictions, was conducted. The Joanna Briggs Institute tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Random-effects meta-analyses and odds ratios were used to measure the effects.
RESULTS
The search yielded 19,732 studies, of which 78 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 32 in the meta-analysis. The findings indicated that suicidal ideation was 1.96 times more likely (95% confidence interval, CI = 1.47; 2.61) for adolescents who used some drug recurrently and 3.32 times more likely (95%CI = 1.86; 5.93) among those who abused drugs. Additionally, adolescents who used cannabis were 1.57 times more likely (95%CI = 1.34; 1.84) to experience suicide ideation compared with non-users, while cocaine users had 2.57 times higher odds (95%CI = 1.47; 4.50).
CONCLUSIONS
Psychotropic recreational drug use is associated with suicidal ideation among adolescents regardless of current or previous use, abuse, or type of substance used.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
Registered in the PROSPERO database under the identification number CRD42021232360. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021232360.
Topics: Humans; Suicidal Ideation; Adolescent; Psychotropic Drugs; Recreational Drug Use; Substance-Related Disorders; Risk Factors; Brazil; Illicit Drugs; Male; Female
PubMed: 38655989
DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0641.R2.23012024 -
The International Journal on Drug Policy Aug 2021Over the past decades gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has emerged as a popular drug with high potential of (ab)use due to its euphoric and relaxing effects. An overview of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Over the past decades gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has emerged as a popular drug with high potential of (ab)use due to its euphoric and relaxing effects. An overview of different populations using GHB is urgently needed, since this would enable development of adequate prevention and treatment policies to diminish the risks associated with GHB use. We systematically reviewed literature on different GHB using populations, comparing demographic characteristics, GHB use patterns, psychosocial aspects and psychiatric comorbidity.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using Rayyan software. Original studies published from January 1997 up to October 2019 on GHB use were included. Out of 80 full-text articles, 60 articles of 51 unique studies were included. Most studies included people using GHB 1) presenting at emergency departments (n = 22), 2) recruited from the general population (n = 11), or 3) presenting at addiction care (n = 8).
RESULTS
Three main sub-populations of people using GHB are described in the literature: people using GHB recreationally without adverse effects; people using GHB recreationally with adverse effects, and people with dependence on GHB. These groups show considerable overlap in gender, age range, and comorbid substance use, as well as amount of GHB use per occasion. Differences are related to frequency and function of GHB use, the number of comas experienced, as well as work status, and psychiatric comorbidity.
CONCLUSION
Policy interventions should aim at preventing the transition from recreational substance use to GHB use, as most users are experienced recreational substance users prior to starting GHB use. When people use GHB regularly, interventions should aim at reducing the level of GHB use and preventing GHB use-related harm. Longitudinal studies and population-based probability sampling are required for more insight in the dynamics of GHB use in different sub-populations, and the transition from one group to the other, ultimately leading to dependence on GHB.
Topics: Coma; Drug Users; Humans; Sodium Oxybate; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 33892279
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103230 -
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2023Renewed interest in psychedelic substances in the 21 century has seen the exploration of psychedelic treatments for various psychiatric disorders including substance use... (Review)
Review
Renewed interest in psychedelic substances in the 21 century has seen the exploration of psychedelic treatments for various psychiatric disorders including substance use disorder (SUD). This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of psychedelic treatments for people with SUD and those falling below diagnostic thresholds (i.e. substance misuse). We systematically searched 11 databases, trial registries, and psychedelic organization websites for empirical studies examining adults undergoing psychedelic treatment for SUD or substance misuse, published in the English language, between 2000 and 2021. Seven studies investigating treatment using psilocybin, ibogaine, and ayahuasca, alone or adjunct with psychotherapy reported across 10 papers were included. Measures of abstinence, substance use, psychological and psychosocial outcomes, craving, and withdrawal reported positive results, however, this data was scarce among studies examining a wide range of addictions including opioid, nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and unspecified substance. The qualitative synthesis from three studies described subjective experience of psychedelic-assisted treatments enhanced self-awareness, insight, and confidence. At present, there is no sufficient research evidence to suggest effectiveness of any of the psychedelics on any specific substance use disorder or substance misuse. Further research using rigorous effectiveness evaluation methods with larger sample sizes and longer-term follow-up is required.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Hallucinogens; Psilocybin; Substance-Related Disorders; Psychotherapy; Ibogaine; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
PubMed: 36933948
DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2190319 -
The Lancet. Global Health May 2023People who inject drugs are exposed to various and changing risk environments and are at risk of multiple harms related to injecting drug use (IDU). We aimed to...
Epidemiology of injecting drug use, prevalence of injecting-related harm, and exposure to behavioural and environmental risks among people who inject drugs: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
People who inject drugs are exposed to various and changing risk environments and are at risk of multiple harms related to injecting drug use (IDU). We aimed to undertake a global systematic review of the prevalence of IDU, key IDU-related harms (including HIV, hepatitis C virus [HCV], and hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection and overdose), and key sociodemographic characteristics and risk exposures for people who inject drugs.
METHODS
We systematically searched for data published between Jan 1, 2017, and March 31, 2022, in databases of peer-reviewed literature (MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO) and grey literature as well as various agency or organisational websites, and disseminated data requests to international experts and agencies. We searched for data on the prevalence, characteristics, and risks of people who inject drugs, including gender, age, sexuality, drug-use patterns, HIV, HCV, and HBV infections, non-fatal overdose, depression, anxiety, and injecting-related disease. Additional data were extracted from studies identified in our previous review. Meta-analyses were used to pool the data where multiple estimates were available for a country. We present country, regional, and global estimates for each variable examined.
FINDINGS
We screened 40 427 reports published between 2017 and 2022, and the 871 eligible reports identified were added to the 1147 documents from the previous review. Evidence of IDU was documented in 190 of 207 countries and territories, and 14·8 million people (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 10·0-21·7) aged 15-64 years globally were estimated to inject drugs. Existing evidence suggests that there might be 2·8 million (95% UI 2·4-3·2) women and 12·1 million (95% UI 11·0-13·3) men who inject drugs globally, and that 0·4% (95% CI 0·3-1·3) of people who inject drugs identify as transgender. The amount of available data on key health and social risks among people who inject drugs varied widely across countries and regions. We estimated that 24·8% (95% CI 19·5-31·6) of people who inject drugs globally had experienced recent homelessness or unstable housing, 58·4% (95% CI 52·0-64·8) had a lifetime history of incarceration, and 14·9% (95% CI 8·1-24·3) had recently engaged in sex work, with substantial geographical variation. Injecting and sexual risk behaviour varied considerably geographically, as did risks of harms. Globally, we estimated that 15·2% (95% CI 10·3-20·9) of people who inject drugs are living with HIV, 38·8% (95% CI 31·4-46·9) have current HCV infection, 18·5% (95% CI 13·9-24·1) have recently overdosed, and 31·7% (95% CI 23·6-40·5) have had a recent skin or soft tissue infection.
INTERPRETATION
IDU is being identified in a growing number of countries and territories that comprise more than 99% of the global population. IDU-related health harms are common, and people who inject drugs continue to be exposed to multiple adverse risk environments. However, quantification of many of these exposure and harms is inadequate and must be improved to allow for better targeting of harm-reduction interventions for these risks.
FUNDING
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Substance Abuse, Intravenous; Prevalence; Drug Users; Australia; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis B; Substance-Related Disorders; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis B virus; HIV Infections
PubMed: 36996857
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00057-8 -
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Dec 2022Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is a member of the opioid receptor system, the G protein-coupled receptors that are expressed throughout the peripheral and central nervous... (Review)
Review
Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is a member of the opioid receptor system, the G protein-coupled receptors that are expressed throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems and play crucial roles in the modulation of antinociception and a variety of behavioral states like anxiety, depression, and drug abuse. KOR agonists are known to produce potent analgesic effects and have been used clinically for the treatment of pain, while KOR antagonists have shown efficacy in the treatment of anxiety and depression. This review summarizes the history, design strategy, discovery, and development of KOR ligands. KOR agonists are classified as non-biased, G protein-biased, and β-arrestin recruitment-biased, according to their degrees of bias. The mechanisms and associated effects of the G protein signaling pathway and β-arrestin recruitment signaling pathway are also discussed. Meanwhile, KOR antagonists are classified as long-acting and short-acting, based on their half-lives. In addition, we have special sections for mixed KOR agonists and selective peripheral KOR agonists. The mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and behavioral studies for each of these categories are also discussed in this review.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Depression; Ligands; beta-Arrestins; GTP-Binding Proteins; Narcotic Antagonists; Pain; Anxiety; Substance-Related Disorders; Analgesics, Opioid
PubMed: 36179400
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114785 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Oct 2020Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is an electronic database that tracks the prescriptions of controlled drugs with its aims to combat the incidence of drug... (Review)
Review
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is an electronic database that tracks the prescriptions of controlled drugs with its aims to combat the incidence of drug abuse. Although the establishment of PDMP in the US was since 2003, evidence of the impact of PDMP's strength and weakness towards its implementation is still scarce. A systematic literature review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standard was conducted to investigate the influence of PDMP's strength in combating the incidence of drug abuse and also to review the weaknesses of PDMP that prohibit its implementation. Results from this study reveal that the implementation of PDMP has mitigated the issue of drug abuse and has increased work efficiency among healthcare practitioners. However, the implementation rate of this system is low due to its weaknesses such as limited internet access and limited access to the PDMP system. Therefore, efforts to overcome the weaknesses of PDMP need to be instituted to ensure the healthcare system could fully optimize PDMP's benefits.
Topics: Databases, Factual; Drug Monitoring; Humans; Prescription Drug Misuse; Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 32694082
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.06.035