Fermín Fernández-Calderón1,2, Carmen Díaz-Batanero1,2, Monica J Barratt3,4,5, Joseph J Palamar6. 1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. 2. Research Center on Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. 3. Drug Policy Modelling Program, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia. 4. National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. 5. Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia. 6. Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Polysubstance users are a high-risk population for negative health-related consequences. Although some studies have described harm reduction strategies adopted by polysubstance users, studies have not examined their effectiveness in minimising health-related consequences. We aimed to identify dosing-related harm reduction strategies in a sample of polysubstance-using dance festival attendees, and explore the relationship between harm reduction strategies and self-reported adverse health consequences. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were examined for 1226 past-year dance festival attendees who self-identified as past-year multiple drug users. We conducted bivariable and multivariable analyses to explore relationships between six dosing-related harm reduction strategies and 13 self-reported adverse consequences. RESULTS: Self-reported use of dosing-related harm reduction strategies was prevalent, mainly avoidance of mixing depressants (69.2%) and setting limits on quantity (62.2%). Frequent users of harm reduction strategies reported experiencing fewer adverse health consequences (P values < 0.05). Those who reportedly set limits on quantity were at decreased odds of experiencing a bad mood after drug use, sexual difficulties while under drug influence, injuries or fractures while under drug influence, and involvement in fights or being attacked while under drug influence (P values < 0.05). Moreover, those who report frequently avoid mixing depressants were at decreased odds of experiencing headache, loss of consciousness, drop in blood pressure, injuries of fractures, and fights or attacks (P values < 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of dosing-related harm reduction strategies appears to be associated with less drug-related harm among polysubstance-using festival attendees. Findings may inform organisations and policymakers in the designing of harm reduction interventions with this population.
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Polysubstance users are a high-risk population for negative health-related consequences. Although some studies have described harm reduction strategies adopted by polysubstance users, studies have not examined their effectiveness in minimising health-related consequences. We aimed to identify dosing-related harm reduction strategies in a sample of polysubstance-using dance festival attendees, and explore the relationship between harm reduction strategies and self-reported adverse health consequences. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were examined for 1226 past-year dance festival attendees who self-identified as past-year multiple drug users. We conducted bivariable and multivariable analyses to explore relationships between six dosing-related harm reduction strategies and 13 self-reported adverse consequences. RESULTS: Self-reported use of dosing-related harm reduction strategies was prevalent, mainly avoidance of mixing depressants (69.2%) and setting limits on quantity (62.2%). Frequent users of harm reduction strategies reported experiencing fewer adverse health consequences (P values < 0.05). Those who reportedly set limits on quantity were at decreased odds of experiencing a bad mood after drug use, sexual difficulties while under drug influence, injuries or fractures while under drug influence, and involvement in fights or being attacked while under drug influence (P values < 0.05). Moreover, those who report frequently avoid mixing depressants were at decreased odds of experiencing headache, loss of consciousness, drop in blood pressure, injuries of fractures, and fights or attacks (P values < 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of dosing-related harm reduction strategies appears to be associated with less drug-related harm among polysubstance-using festival attendees. Findings may inform organisations and policymakers in the designing of harm reduction interventions with this population.
Authors: Andrew C Parrott; Cathy Montgomery; Mark A Wetherell; Luke A Downey; Con Stough; Andrew B Scholey Journal: Behav Pharmacol Date: 2014-09 Impact factor: 2.293
Authors: Kristin Feltmann; Tobias H Elgán; Anna K Strandberg; Pia Kvillemo; Nitya Jayaram-Lindström; Meryem Grabski; Jon Waldron; Tom Freeman; Helen Valerie Curran; Johanna Gripenberg Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-30 Impact factor: 3.390