Novel psychoactive substance consumption is more represented in bipolar disorder than in psychotic disorders: A multicenter-observational study

Hum Psychopharmacol. 2017 May;32(3). doi: 10.1002/hup.2578. Epub 2017 May 18.

Abstract

Objective: Comorbidities between psychiatric diseases and use of traditional substances of abuse are common. Nevertheless, there are few data regarding the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) among psychiatric patients. Aim of this multicentre survey is to investigate the consumption of a number of psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric sample.

Methods: Between December 2013 and September 2015, a questionnaire was administered in 10 Italian psychiatric care facilities to a sample of 671 patients, aged 18-26 (mean age 22.24; SD 2.87).

Results: About 8.2% of the sample declared to have used NPS at least once, and 2.2% had consumed NPS in the previous 3 months. The three psychiatric diagnoses most frequently associated with NPS use were bipolar disorder (23.1%), personality disorders (11.8%), and schizophrenia and related disorders (11.6%). In univariate regression analysis, bipolar disorder was positively associated with NPS consumption, an association that did not reach statistical significance in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions: The use of NPS in a young psychiatric population appears to be frequent, and probably still underestimated. Bipolar disorder shows an association with NPS use. Careful and constant monitoring and an accurate evaluation of possible clinical effects related to NPS use are necessary.

Keywords: binge drinking; bipolar disorder; dual diagnosis; novel psychoactive substances; young adults.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bipolar Disorder / diagnosis
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Bipolar Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Psychiatric / trends
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Psychotic Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs