Dataset Information

Exploration of the Use of New Psychoactive Substances by Individuals in Treatment for Substance Misuse in the UK.

ABSTRACT: Substance misuse services need to meet the growing demand and needs of individuals using new psychoactive substances (NPS). A review of the literature identified a paucity of research regarding NPS use by these individuals and UK guidelines outline the need for locally tailored strategies. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and explore key themes in relation to the use of NPS by individuals receiving community treatment for their substance use. Electronic records identified demographics and semi-structured interviews were undertaken. A thematic analysis of transcripts identified a variety of substance use histories; 50% were prescribed opiate substitutes and 25% used NPS as a primary substance. All were males, age range 26-59 years (SD = 9), who predominantly smoked cannabinoids and snorted/injected stimulant NPS. The type of NPS used was determined by affordability, availability, side-effect profile and desired effects (physical and psychological: 25% reported weight loss as motivation for their use). Poly-pharmacy, supplementation and displacement of other drugs were prevalent. In conclusion, NPS use and associated experiences vary widely among people receiving substance use treatment. Development of effective recovery pathways should be tailored to individuals, and include harm reduction strategies, psychosocial interventions, and effective signposting. Services should be vigilant for NPS use, "on top" use and diversion of prescriptions.

SUBMITTER: Gittins R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5924394 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Exploration of the Use of New Psychoactive Substances by Individuals in Treatment for Substance Misuse in the UK.

Gittins Rosalind R Gittins Rosalind R Guirguis Amira A Schifano Fabrizio F Maidment Ian I

Brain sciences 20180330 4

Substance misuse services need to meet the growing demand and needs of individuals using new psychoactive substances (NPS). A review of the literature identified a paucity of research regarding NPS use by these individuals and UK guidelines outline the need for locally tailored strategies. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and explore key themes in relation to the use of NPS by individuals receiving community treatment for their substance use. Electronic records identified de ...[more]

PMID: 29601550

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Project description:ObjectivesTo examine whether young peoples' risk of cannabis, mephedrone and novel psychoactive substances (NPS) use is associated with school substance-misuse policy.DesignA cross-sectional survey of secondary school students combined with a School Environment Questionnaire and independently coded school substance-misuse policies (2015/6).Setting66 secondary schools in Wales.ParticipantsStudents aged 11-16 years (n=18?939).ResultsThe prevalence of lifetime, past 30-day and daily cannabis use was 4.8%, 2.6% and 0.7%, respectively; lifetime prevalence of mephedrone use was 1.1% and NPS use was 1.5%. Across 66 schools, 95.5% (n=63) reported having a substance-misuse policy, 93.9% (n=62) reported having a referral pathway for drug using students, such that we were insufficiently powered to undertake an analysis. We found little evidence of a beneficial association between lifetime cannabis use and involving students in policy development including student council consultation (OR=1.24, 95%?CI 0.89 to 1.73), other student consultation (OR=1.42, 95%?CI 0.94 to 2.14) or with the use of isolation (OR=0.98, 95%?CI 0.67 to 1.43), with similar results for cannabis use in past 30 days, daily and the lifetime use of mephedrone and NPS. The School Environment Questionnaires found that 39.4% (n=26) schools reported no student involvement in policy development, 42.4% (n=28) reported student council consultation, 18.2% (n=12) used other student consultations and 9.7% (n=3) mentioned isolation. The independently coded content of policies found that no school policy recommended abstinence, one mentioned methods on harm minimisation, 16.1% (n=5) policies mentioned student involvement and 9.7% (n=3) mentioned isolation.ConclusionsPolicy development involving students is widely recommended, but we found no beneficial associations between student involvement in policy development and student drug use. This paper has highlighted the need for further contextual understanding around the policy-development process and how schools manage drug misuse.

Dataset Information

Exploration of the Use of New Psychoactive Substances by Individuals in Treatment for Substance Misuse in the UK.

Publications

Exploration of the Use of New Psychoactive Substances by Individuals in Treatment for Substance Misuse in the UK.

Similar Datasets

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