Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy
September 10, 2024
Anjali Sergeant, Paxton Bach, Jingxin Lei et al.
5 citations
Among 1061 people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada, 17.2% reported starting a new drug or restarting a previous drug between June 2021 and May 2022. Unregulated stimulants were the most common class (re-)initiated (55.2%), followed by opioids (40.4%) and psychedelics (19.7%). Drug (re-)initiation was independently linked to recent injection drug use (2.6 times higher odds), incarceration (3.4 times higher odds), and inability to access addiction treatment (4.9 times higher odds). The findings highlight that nearly one in five participants engaged in drug (re-)initiation during the pandemic-era overdose crisis, with those affected facing riskier behaviors and treatment barriers.
Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy
May 5, 2026
Katherine Hill, Cianna Piercey, Hollis C Karoly et al.
Kava, a psychoactive plant from the Pacific Islands, is used for its anxiolytic and sedating effects. In a 2024 online survey of 368 adults who had used kratom, kava, tianeptine, or akuamma seed, 48.9% had used kava in their lifetime. Lifetime kava users were younger, more racially diverse, and more likely to be employed or in school. Kava was purchased online (40.6%) or in tea bars (31.7%). Users reported infrequent consumption (average 4.4 months per year, 9.1 days per month). Perceived effects included reduced general anxiety (33.7%), improved mood (32.9%), reduced social anxiety (25.5%), and sedation (23.4%). Only 11.7% viewed kava as habit-forming, and 51.7% saw it as an alcohol replacement. Kava use practices are diverse, and clinicians should be aware of its role in harm-reduction.
Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy
September 20, 2021
Rania Hussien, Maged El-Setouhy, Mohamed El Shinawi et al.
Voodoo, a mixture of psychoactive substances popular among Egyptian youth, caused a range of acute toxic effects in a retrospective study of 71 patients (mean age 25, mostly male) treated at a poison control center in 2017. Neurological symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations, and disturbed consciousness were most common. Respiratory acidosis occurred in 54.9% of cases, along with elevated serum urea, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, and leukocytosis. Sinus tachycardia (31%) and QT prolongation (15.4%) were frequent ECG findings. Over half of patients had also used cannabis or tramadol. Most recovered fully, but two died. Voodoo toxicity presents variably, complicating diagnosis; clinicians should monitor blood gases, electrolytes, and ECG.
Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy
August 5, 2020
Madeleine Southey, Ashwini Kathirgamalingam, Benjamin Crawford et al.
A survey of 760 people attending a major Australian live music event in 2017 found that 73.9% had used ecstasy in the last year. About 5% of people who use drugs had sought medical attention due to ecstasy consumption. 82.2% of people who use drugs strongly agreed that pill testing should be provided for free at live music events, and 62.9% that it should be combined with harm reduction advice. 32% of all participants strongly agreed they would be more likely to take illicit drugs at a music festival if pill-testing services were present. However, if a harmful substance was detected, 52.3% of people who have used illicit drugs reported they would 'not at all' be likely to still consume the drug.