Knowledge and Use of Novel Psychoactive Substances in an Italian Sample with Substance Use Disorders

Deborah Dal Farra, Alice Valdesalici, Giancarlo Zecchinato, Alfio De Sandre, Diego Saccon, Pierluigi Simonato, Ornella Corazza, Giovanni Martinotti, Andrew L. Smith and Marco Solmi
Additional contact information
Deborah Dal Farra: Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, Italy
Alice Valdesalici: Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, Italy
Giancarlo Zecchinato: Addiction Department, AULSS 6 Euganea, 35131 Padova, Italy
Alfio De Sandre: Addiction Department, AULSS 1 Dolomiti, 32021 Agordo, Italy
Diego Saccon: Addiction Department, AULSS 4 Veneto Orientale, 30027 San Donà di Piave, Italy
Pierluigi Simonato: Parco dei Tigli, 35037 Teolo, Italy
Ornella Corazza: School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
Giovanni Martinotti: School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
Andrew L. Smith: Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
Marco Solmi: Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: This study aims to determine prevalence and frequency of use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and to identify the factors associated with NPS use in an Italian sample of patients diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD). Prevalence and correlates of NPS knowledge and use were assessed in 185 patients with SUD in three addiction services (Padova, Belluno, Feltre) in the Veneto region with an ad-hoc designed survey. Two thirds of the samples reported knowing NPS and one third reported using them. NPS were considered by them less dangerous than “regular” substances of abuse (t = 6.06 mean 0.78, p < 0.001). Factors associated with NPS use were youth (OR = 4.81; p < 0.001), studentship (OR = 4.99; p = 0.004), subsequent mental disorders diagnosis (OR = 2.49; p = 0.027), suicide attempt history (OR = 11.67; p < 0.001), home detention (OR = 2.30; p = 0.040), residential care (OR = 5.66; p = 0.002), and polysubstance abuse (t = 8.99 mean 2.65 p < 0.001). NPS use in patients with SUD is highly prevalent, particularly in the youngest age group, and associated with psychiatric comorbidity and worse prognosis. It is crucial to systematically assess NPS use and inform addiction service users with SUD of the toxic and potentially lethal side effects. Mental healthcare professionals working in addiction services should receive education and training. Cohort and longitudinal studies are needed.

Keywords: novel psychoactive substances; substance use disorder; addiction services; prevalence; risk factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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