The Correlation between NPS and Polysubstance Use in High-Risk Population: a Five-year Longitudinal Study in Taiwan
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Journal Volume
22
Journal Issue
6
Start Page
3859 - 3877
ISSN
1557-1874
Date Issued
2024-01-01
Author(s)
Yang, Da Peng
Ting, Te Tien
Kuo, Yun Ning
Chen, Wei Ru
Liu, Hsin Tung
Chiu, Jui Yi
Jair, Yung Cheng
Chen, Jung Hsuan
Lin, Mei Chih
Hsu, Ya Hui
Abstract
The emergence of new synthetic substances (NPS) leads to rapid changes in substance prevalence. Here urine analysis and questionnaires were employed to construct a landscape of substance abuse. 3,064 urine samples were randomly selected from suspected substance abusers (N = 6,335) from 2014 to 2018 in Taiwan. Demographic information was self-reported. Principal component analysis (PCA) were used to explore the substance pattern. The positive detection of NPS reached 19.6%. The highest links of polysubstance use were the use of phenethylamines with the co-use of amphetamines (aOR = 4.33), benzodiazepines (aOR = 2.09), and synthetic cathinones (aOR = 5.01) and the use of synthetic cathinones with the co-use of ketamine (aOR = 6.72) and benzodiazepines (aOR = 2.62). No evidence indicating an increase in the use of NPS/other substances as a replacement for traditional substances. The presence of polysubstance patterns may be due to similarities in the effects of the various substances or users undergoing a transition in their substance abuse patterns.
Subjects
Demographic factors
High risk population
NPS
Polysubstance use
Urinalysis
SDGs
Publisher
Springer
Type
journal article