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Substance Use and New Drug Trends in Adolescents

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Children's Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2021) | Viewed by 26502

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maria Luca

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Guest Editor

Centre for Addiction, Via Pò 2, 95031 Adrano, Italy
Interests: biological bases of mental disorders; liaison psychiatry; neurosciences
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Ornella Corazza

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Guest Editor

Department of Clinical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9EU, UK
Interests: substance misuse; novel psychoactive substances; behavioural addictions
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Dr. Giovanni Martinotti

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1. Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Science, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
2. Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Clinical Science, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9EU, UK
Interests: phenomenology; neuroimaging; psychiatry; analytical philosophy; neuron; clinical psychology; psychopathology; philosophy of language; continental philosophy; ontology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Substance use among adolescents is becoming a real emergency, with a considerable impact on their bio-psycho-social health. Substance use may be co-morbid with psychiatric disturbances (e.g., psychotic disorder, autism spectrum disorders, personality disorders), triggering their onset or representing a contributor to a poorer prognosis. In several cases, understanding the underlying motivations of substance use, or the cause–effect relationship between substance use and psychiatric symptoms, represent challenges for clinicians. Furthermore, the use of a substance is often accompanied by risky behavior and might expose adolescents to a variety of short and long-term unwanted medical consequences. Some examples of this include cocaine-induced toxic encephalopathy, toluene-related organ dysfunctions in glue sniffers, or the detrimental effects of alcohol and cannabis on the cognitive functioning of heavy abusers.

In this issue, we warmly invite original research papers, reviews, and case reports regarding the bio-psycho-social consequences of substance use and new drug trends in adolescents, as well as articles reporting the effects of viable therapeutic strategies on these dangerously common disturbances. There is no restriction on the length of the papers.

Topics of research for the Special Issue:

Epidemiological data regarding the use and/or abuse of substances in adolescents;
Psycho-physical consequences of substance use and/or abuse in adolescents;
Efficacy and feasibility of possible therapeutic interventions (pharmacological and/or psychological);
Diagnostic challenges related to the comorbidity between substance abuse and psychiatric disorders;
Substance use as self-medication;
Substance use and abuse in forensic psychiatry;
Substance use and/or abuse among patients with medical illness (e.g., HIV, multiple sclerosis, cancer).

Dr. Maria Luca
Dr. Ornella Corazza
Dr. Giovanni Martinotti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Substance abuse
Substance use
Psycho-physical health
Therapeutic interventions

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Related Special Issue

Substance Use and Behavioral Addictions in Adolescents and Young Adults in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (8 articles)

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Self-Medication with Cannabis in Young Adults with Hazardous Cannabis Use

by Dorothy Wallis, J. Douglas Coatsworth, Jeremy Mennis, Nathaniel R. Riggs, Nikola Zaharakis, Michael A. Russell, Aaron R. Brown, Stephanie Rayburn, Aubrie Radford, Christopher Hale and Michael J. Mason

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1850; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031850 - 7 Feb 2022

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6295

Abstract

Using cannabis to reduce psychological and physical distress, referred to as self-medication, is a significant risk factor for cannabis use disorder. To better understand this high-risk behavior, a sample of 290 young adults (ages 18–25; 45.6% female) were recruited from two U.S. universities in January and February of 2020 to complete a survey about their cannabis use and self-medication. Results: seventy-six percent endorsed using cannabis to reduce problems such as anxiety, sleep, depression, pain, loneliness, social discomfort, and concentration. When predicting reasons for self-medication with cannabis, logistic regression models showed that lower CUDIT-R scores, experiencing withdrawal, living in a state where cannabis was illegal, and being female were all associated with higher rates of self-medication. Withdrawal symptoms were tested to predict self-medication with cannabis, and only insomnia and loss of appetite were significant predictors. To further explore why young adults self-medicate, each of the original predictors were regressed on seven specified reasons for self-medication. Young adults experiencing withdrawal were more likely to self-medicate for pain. Participants living where cannabis is legal were less likely to self-medicate for anxiety and depression. Living where cannabis is illegal also significantly predicted self-medicating for social discomfort—though the overall model predicting social discomfort was statistically non-significant. Finally, female participants were more likely to self-medicate for anxiety. These results suggest widespread self-medication among young adults with likely CUD and underscore the complexity of their cannabis use. The findings have implications for understanding why young adults use cannabis in relation to psychological and physical distress and for accurately treating young adults with cannabis use disorder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Use and New Drug Trends in Adolescents)

11 pages, 347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Deborah Dal Farra, Alice Valdesalici, Giancarlo Zecchinato, Alfio De Sandre, Diego Saccon, Pierluigi Simonato, Ornella Corazza, Giovanni Martinotti, Andrew L. Smith and Marco Solmi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020915 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2918

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Use and New Drug Trends in Adolescents)

13 pages, 365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Duration of Untreated Disorder and Cannabis Use: An Observational Study on a Cohort of Young Italian Patients Experiencing Psychotic Experiences and Dissociative Symptoms

by Valerio Ricci, Giovanni Martinotti, Franca Ceci, Stefania Chiappini, Francesco Di Carlo, Julius Burkauskas, Ottavia Susini, Debora Luciani, Diego Quattrone, Domenico De Berardis, Mauro Pettorruso, Giuseppe Maina and Massimo Di Giannantonio

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12632; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312632 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2832

Abstract

Background: The Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) is the time between the first-episode psychosis (FEP) and the initiation of antipsychotic treatment. It is an important predictor of several disease-related outcomes in psychotic disorders. The aim of this manuscript is investigating the influence of cannabis on the DUP and its clinical correlates. Methods: During years 2014–2019, sixty-two FEP patients with and without cannabis use disorder (CUD) were recruited from several Italian psychiatric hospitals. The subjects were then divided into two groups based on the duration of the DUP and assessed at the beginning of the antipsychotic treatment and after 3 and 6 months, using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II). Results: As expected, a longer DUP was associated with worse symptoms and cannabis use did not seem to affect the DUP, but both were related with more dissociative symptoms at onset and over time. Discussion: According to our study, cannabis use can be a predictor of FEP and DUP, and of disease outcome. However, several factors might influence the relationship between cannabis use and DUP. Preventing cannabis use and early diagnosis of psychotic disorders might impact the disease by reducing the persistence of symptoms and limiting dissociative experiences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Use and New Drug Trends in Adolescents)

9 pages, 588 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mentalization Impairment Is Associated with Problematic Alcohol Use in a Sample of Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Claudio Imperatori, Ornella Corazza, Angelo Panno, Raffaella Rinaldi, Massimo Pasquini, Benedetto Farina, Massimo Biondi and Francesco Saverio Bersani

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(22), 8664; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228664 - 22 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2671

Abstract

Background: Alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs among adolescents and young people, and problematic alcohol use (PAU) is related to significant long-term biological, clinical, and psychosocial sequelae. Although preliminary reports have linked deficits in mentalization to increased vulnerability to addiction, no studies have specifically explored this phenomenon in relation to PAU. Methods: The association between mentalization impairment and PAU severity was investigated in a sample of 271 young adults (183 females, 65.9%; mean age: 23.20 ± 3.55 years; range: 18–34). Self-report measures investigating PAU and mentalization were administered to all participants. Results: Individuals with PAU reported a more frequent use of tobacco and illicit drugs in the last 12 months. PAU severity was negatively associated with mentalization capacity (rho = −0.21; p < 0.001), and also, when possible, confounding variables (i.e., gender, age, occupation, education, tobacco and illegal drugs use) were controlled for (rho = −0.17; p = 0.004). Conclusion: The present data showed that mentalization impairment is significantly associated with PAU among young adults, suggesting that it may have a role in the development and/or maintenance of alcohol use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Use and New Drug Trends in Adolescents)

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Review

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19 pages, 955 KiB

Open AccessReview

Examining the Use of Antidepressants for Adolescents with Depression/Anxiety Who Regularly Use Cannabis: A Narrative Review

by Danielle Hen-Shoval, Aron Weller, Abraham Weizman and Gal Shoval

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010523 - 4 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5727

Abstract

Depression and anxiety disorders are two of the most common and growing mental health concerns in adolescents. Consequently, antidepressant medication (AD) use has increased widely during the last decades. Several classes of antidepressants are used mainly to treat depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders by targeting relevant brain neurochemical pathways. Almost all randomized clinical trials of antidepressants examined patients with no concomitant medications or drugs. This does not address the expected course of therapy and outcome in cannabis users. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance globally. Substantial changes in its regulation are recently taking place. Many countries and US states are becoming more permissive towards its medical and recreational use. The psychological and physiological effects of cannabis (mainly of its major components, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)) have been extensively characterized. Cannabis use can be a risk factor for depressive and anxiety symptoms, but some constituents or mixtures may have antidepressant and/or anxiolytic potential. The aim of this literature review is to explore whether simultaneous use of AD and cannabis in adolescence can affect AD treatment outcomes. Based on the current literature, it is reasonable to assume that antidepressants are less effective for adolescents with depression/anxiety who frequently use cannabis. The mechanisms of action of antidepressants and cannabis point to several similarities and conjunctions that merit future investigation regarding the potential effectiveness of antidepressants among adolescents who consume cannabis regularly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Use and New Drug Trends in Adolescents)

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Other

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9 pages, 774 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Club Drugs and Psychiatric Sequelae: An Issue of Vulnerability and Previous Psychiatric History

by Giovanni Martinotti, Cristina Merino Del Villar, Andrés Garcia Cordoba, Lluís Andrés Tubau, Ivan Castro Sánchez, Francesco Di Carlo, Stefania Chiappini, Mauro Pettorruso, Fabrizio Schifano and Massimo Di Giannantonio

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(13), 6944; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136944 - 29 Jun 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2069

Abstract

The pursuit of pleasure among clubbers and disco-goers often involves drug use. However, whether substance use may represent a relevant risk factor contributing to the development of psychiatric symptoms and of mental illness remains debated. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the percentage of subjects who developed long-lasting psychiatric symptoms in a sample of subjects reporting use of substances in nightclubs, and to evaluate the role of a previous psychiatric diagnosis in these subjects. Data were collected during three consecutive years in dedicated nursing units inside all the nightclubs of Ibiza, in emergency hospital rooms at the Can Misses Hospital and inside the psychiatric ward. A total of 10,163 subjects required medical assistance inside discos in the medical-nursing units, of which 223 required transfers to hospital emergency rooms. Of these, 110 required subsequent psychiatric hospitalization. Ninety-one (82.7%) of these patients had a positive psychiatric history, which was also found in thirty-one of the 113 subjects (27.4%) not requiring psychiatric hospitalization. Negative psychiatric history was negatively associated with hospitalization (Coefficient = −2.574; p = 0.000) and for subjects with a negative psychiatric history the odds to be hospitalized changed by a factor of 0.076. Gender, age, civil status and nationality were not significant predictors of hospitalization. Overall, the number of subjects who developed major psychiatric disorders appeared to be limited. However, the presence of a psychiatric history here played a crucial role. Club drugs are therefore able to induce psychiatric sequelae requiring hospitalization mainly in subjects who are already vulnerable from a psychopathological point of view. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Use and New Drug Trends in Adolescents)

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6 pages, 1019 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Early-Onset Alcohol Dependence and Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnostic Challenges

by Maria Luca, Clara Grazia Chisari, Aurora Zanghì and Francesco Patti

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 5588; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115588 - 24 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2614

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder characterized by the progressive disruption of the myelin sheath around the nerve fibres. The early initiation of disease-modifying treatments is crucial for preventing disease progression and neurological damage. Unfortunately, a diagnostic delay of several years is not uncommon, particularly in the presence of physical and mental comorbidities. Among psychiatric comorbidities, the role of alcohol misuse is still under debate. In this paper, we discuss a case of early-onset alcohol dependence and its possible role in delaying the initiation of a specific therapy for MS. The differential diagnosis between idiopathic and secondary neurodegenerative disorders is often challenging. When dealing with patients reporting an early-onset substance abuse (likely to present organic damage), clinicians may be prone to formulate a diagnosis of secondary neuropathy, particularly when facing non-specific symptoms. This case report highlights the need for in-depth medical investigations (including imaging) in the presence of neurological signs suggesting a damage of the central nervous system, prompting a differential diagnosis between idiopathic and secondary neurodegenerative conditions. Indeed, a timely diagnosis is crucial for the initiation of specific therapies positively affecting the outcome. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Use and New Drug Trends in Adolescents)

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