The new drugs: intoxication and pathological dependence

The “new psychoactive substances” (NSP) – What are they?

For “New psychoactive substances“(NSP) means a broad spectrum of molecules (many of which are not internationally controlled) capable of determining” new “and powerful effects.

NSPs are drugs of synthetic origin that can cause atypical and difficult to treat pathological addictions.

The absence of replacement drugs, in fact, complicates the initial detoxification phase and therefore that of treatment. Furthermore, the knowledge of the acute toxicity of different NSPs is not easy to deepen, given that their identification is already difficult.

Number of new psychoactive substances

Despite the great number of new drugs Reported by the European alert system, the prevalence of use in the general population is impossible to estimate exactly. This is because: (a) may vary according to the definition that is given to our and (b) the common laboratory tests are unable to detect many NSPs.

To get an idea of ​​how complex it may be to cure the States of intoxication or dependence From our, just think that, in most cases, emergency room interventions are symptomatic. This is even more if they concern more substances (and typically those who use NSP are poly-assignors).

Today’s diffusion of NSPs is to be traced back to a series of social and cultural variables but also to factors such as the negligible production costs and the “online” marketing method. You also think that these new chemical molecules are often not illegal in their entirety (in most cases they are vegetable substances soaked in illegal substances).

Incidence of the use of NSP

According to data from the last report to the Parliament of the Department for Anti -drug policies, 0.7% of the general population, which corresponds to over 250,000 people between 15 and 64 years of age, reports having used NPS. Including synthetic cannabinoids (“spices“Or“Spice Drugs“) And synthetic cainons, in the 12 months preceding the study of the study.

Consumption is almost double for the male gender (M = 0.8%; F = 0.5%).

As for the student population, 13.9%of students (m = 15.7%; F = 12.1%), that is, about 360,000 children, reported having used one or more of the so -called NSP at least once in their life.

Among these, synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cainons and synthetic opioos are ascribed. The figure records an increase compared to 2016, where it stood at 11.6%.

Among the NPS the most common substances are those attributable to the category of Spice Drugsconsumed at least once from 11.9% of students.

Among those who have taken them, most (63.7%) reports having consumed them as a mixture of herbs, but also in the form of tablets (36.8%), dust and crystals (34%for both types). Those in liquid form (22.6%) are less widespread.

NSP, examples and possible classifications

We can exemplify the main NSPs through the following categories:

1. Synthetic cannabinoids (Spice Drugs): consisting of a dried plant matrix on which synthetic substances are sprayed. The effects are comparable to the genetically modified variant of traditional cannabis, with a high Federman index. The consumption of spices is associated with transitory or persistent psychotic manifestations (in literature called “spicophrenia “).
2. Synthetic cainons: Substances with structure and effects similar to amphetamines, cause euphoria, an increase in the state of alert and psychomotor hyperactivity. The first catinone marketed on the internet in 2007 was the melfedrone. Usually the synthetic cainons (hired by inhalation or orally in the form of tablets or capsules) are taken in recreational and social contexts in association with other substances, with the aim of obtaining a feeling of well -being, euphoria, more intense sensory experiences, uninhibion ​​and increase in sexual interest.
3. Synthetic opioids (Fenanili): They work by binding to opioid receptors, but with intensity thousands of times higher than heroin. They frequently determine death from respiratory depression.

Another possible classification of the NSPs is based on the different methods/purposes of use:

1. to imitate/overcome the effect of “classic” illegal drugs;
2. to replicate/overcome the effect of drugs;
3. for sexual purposes (“chemsex“);
4. Use of prescription drugs by seeking the effect of drugs.

Taking charge and treatment of the use/abuse of NSP

Currently the various social and health systems involved in taking charge and care of the pathological dependenceculturally and operationally, they are not completely ready to face this kind of problems.

NSP consumers, in the event of critical events for their health, must know that those who intervene in an emergency/urgency could have to do “blind”, based on symptoms and the reported, but without any certainty on what the problem is provoking.

It should be borne in mind that the phenomena relating touse of new psychoactive substances They are very dynamic and must be constantly monitored, making the systematic collection of data, study and research difficult.

The lowering of the guard towards these new substances or the unsuitable commitment to investments useful for prevention, treatment (as early as possible) and rehabilitation (in cases of poisoning and dependence) can contribute to dramatic situations from an individual and social point of view.

Even the lack of clear information becomes even more dangerous, especially if we talk about NSP and the use that the population of the students does: the boys know what they consume? Do they know the difference, for example, between cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids such as the “Shaboo”? Do they have a clear idea of ​​how these different types of substances impact on their physical/psychological health and their development? Most of the time the answer is no!

Some bibliographic references

• Health Responses to New Psychoactive Substances Emcdda, Lisbon, June 2016 http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/rapid-communications/nps-RESPONSES_EN
• What are NPS? – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. UNODC Early Warning Advisory on New Psychoactive Substances. https://www.unodc.org/lss/page/nps.
• Baumann, HM & Volkow, ND (2016). Abuse of New Psychoactive Substances: Threats and Solutions. Neuropsychopharmacology 41, 663–665.
• Baumann, HM; Solis, E., Watterson, Lr, Marusich, Ja, Fantegrossi, We & Wiley, JL (2014). Bath Salts, Spice and Related Designer Drugs: The Science Behind the Headline. The Journal of Neuroscience 34: 15150–15158.