OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe a sample of subjects admitted to a psychiatric unit after the intake of psychoactive substances for recreational purposes. METHODS: Between June and September 2015, 49 subjects were included. Sociodemographic characteristics and psychopathological aspects were investigated, and urine samples for further analysis were collected. Three subgroups (cannabinoids, stimulants, and depressors users) were identified, according to the structured interview regarding substance use and urinalysis. RESULTS: Level of aggressiveness was found to be significantly higher (p < .05) in the cannabinoids subgroup. Self-reported symptom severity was comparable among groups, but trends could be identified: SCL-90 results showed a prevalence of anxiety symptoms among depressors users, hostility or aggression in the tetrahydrocannabinol subgroup, and psychoticism in the stimulants subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: The use of psychoactive substances was be characterised by poly-use of both traditional and novel substances. The presence of aggressiveness emerged as a main feature associated with the use of cannabis and other cannabinoids. Binge drinking and sleep deprivation also represented a relevant component in almost all the evaluated subjects.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe a sample of subjects admitted to a psychiatric unit after the intake of psychoactive substances for recreational purposes. METHODS: Between June and September 2015, 49 subjects were included. Sociodemographic characteristics and psychopathological aspects were investigated, and urine samples for further analysis were collected. Three subgroups (cannabinoids, stimulants, and depressors users) were identified, according to the structured interview regarding substance use and urinalysis. RESULTS: Level of aggressiveness was found to be significantly higher (p < .05) in the cannabinoids subgroup. Self-reported symptom severity was comparable among groups, but trends could be identified: SCL-90 results showed a prevalence of anxiety symptoms among depressors users, hostility or aggression in the tetrahydrocannabinol subgroup, and psychoticism in the stimulants subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: The use of psychoactive substances was be characterised by poly-use of both traditional and novel substances. The presence of aggressiveness emerged as a main feature associated with the use of cannabis and other cannabinoids. Binge drinking and sleep deprivation also represented a relevant component in almost all the evaluated subjects.
Authors: Valerio Ricci; Giovanni Martinotti; Franca Ceci; Stefania Chiappini; Francesco Di Carlo; Julius Burkauskas; Ottavia Susini; Debora Luciani; Diego Quattrone; Domenico De Berardis; Mauro Pettorruso; Giuseppe Maina; Massimo Di Giannantonio Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Giovanni Martinotti; Cristina Merino Del Villar; Andrés Garcia Cordoba; Lluís Andrés Tubau; Ivan Castro Sánchez; Francesco Di Carlo; Stefania Chiappini; Mauro Pettorruso; Fabrizio Schifano; Massimo Di Giannantonio Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-29 Impact factor: 3.390