Massimo di Giannantonio1, Attilio Negri2,3, Stefania Schiavone4, Chiara Vannini1, Mauro Pettorruso1, Fabio De-Giorgio5,6, Valeria Verrastro7, Luigia Trabace4, Mariangela Corbo1, Rossella Gottardo8, Cristian Camuto5,9, Monica Mazzarino9, Andrea Barra10, Domenico De Berardis11, Juan Iglesias Lopez12, Cristina Merino Del Villar12, Fabrizio Schifano13, Giovanni Martinotti1,13. 1. Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, Clinical Sciences, University G.d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy. 2. Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life & Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom. 3. Postgraduate School of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 4. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. 5. Department of Health Care Surveillance and Bioethics, Section of Legal Medicine, University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. 6. Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. 7. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. 8. Unit of Forensic Medicine, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. 9. Laboratorio Antidoping FMSI, Rome, Italy. 10. Azienda Sanitaria Locale Potenza, Potenza, Italy. 11. NHS, Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service for Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital "G. Mazzini," ASL 4, Teramo, Italy. 12. Can Misses Hospital, Ibiza, Spain. 13. Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse & Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life & Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Background: Prescription drug misuse and its related risks are considered a worldwide public health issue. Current trends show that the extent of such phenomenon may not be limited to subjects with psychiatric disorders, as it also spreads to dance party and nightclub attendees, who often consume prescription drugs in combination with alcohol and psychoactive substances. This study aims to report the sociodemographic data and the psychiatric and clinical features of a sample of clubbers reporting prescription drugs use. Methods: Patients admitted to the psychiatry ward of the Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza were recruited for the study during a span of four consecutive years (2015-2018). The inclusion criteria were age 18-75 years old and the intake of psychoactive substances or more than five alcohol units during the previous 24 h. Substance use habits, psychopathological features, and use of unprescribed pharmaceuticals were investigated. Urine samples were collected and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results: A total of 110 subjects with psychoactive substance intoxication were recruited for the study. Among these, 37 (40%) disclosed the use of prescription drugs without medical supervision. The most common compounds were benzodiazepines (66%), antiepileptic drugs (8%), antidepressants (6%), opioids (6%), antipsychotics (6%), stimulants (6%), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, 2%). Prescription drug misuse was negatively associated with the use of psychodysleptics (two-tailed Fisher's exact test p = 0.018, ρ = -0.262). Conclusions: The use of prescription drugs is also common among clubbers, usually characterized by low propensity to be prescribed benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, or antidepressants. Prescription drugs may be an alternative to classic and novel psychoactive compounds or may be used to tamper and self-medicate the effects determined by the use of substances. Party goers should be adequately informed about possible risks of co-intake of psychoactive substances and prescription drugs to prevent serious medical and psychiatric consequences.
Background: Prescription drug misuse and its related risks are considered a worldwide public health issue. Current trends show that the extent of such phenomenon may not be limited to subjects with psychiatric disorders, as it also spreads to dance party and nightclub attendees, who often consume prescription drugs in combination with alcohol and psychoactive substances. This study aims to report the sociodemographic data and the psychiatric and clinical features of a sample of clubbers reporting prescription drugs use. Methods:Patients admitted to the psychiatry ward of the Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza were recruited for the study during a span of four consecutive years (2015-2018). The inclusion criteria were age 18-75 years old and the intake of psychoactive substances or more than five alcohol units during the previous 24 h. Substance use habits, psychopathological features, and use of unprescribed pharmaceuticals were investigated. Urine samples were collected and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results: A total of 110 subjects with psychoactive substance intoxication were recruited for the study. Among these, 37 (40%) disclosed the use of prescription drugs without medical supervision. The most common compounds were benzodiazepines (66%), antiepileptic drugs (8%), antidepressants (6%), opioids (6%), antipsychotics (6%), stimulants (6%), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, 2%). Prescription drug misuse was negatively associated with the use of psychodysleptics (two-tailed Fisher's exact test p = 0.018, ρ = -0.262). Conclusions: The use of prescription drugs is also common among clubbers, usually characterized by low propensity to be prescribed benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, or antidepressants. Prescription drugs may be an alternative to classic and novel psychoactive compounds or may be used to tamper and self-medicate the effects determined by the use of substances. Party goers should be adequately informed about possible risks of co-intake of psychoactive substances and prescription drugs to prevent serious medical and psychiatric consequences.
Authors: Elise D Riley; Jennifer L Evans; Judith A Hahn; Alya Briceno; Peter J Davidson; Paula J Lum; Kimberly Page Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2016-03-17 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Laura Orsolini; Michela Ciccarese; Duccio Papanti; Domenico De Berardis; Amira Guirguis; John M Corkery; Fabrizio Schifano Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2018-05-22 Impact factor: 4.157