Exploration of the Use of New Psychoactive Substances by Individuals in Treatment for Substance Misuse in the UK

Gittins, Rosalind; Guirguis, Amira; Schifano, Fabrizio; Maidment, Ian

doi:10.3390/brainsci8040058

Cited by 23 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 39 publications

(109 reference statements)

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“…With NPS' diffusion on the web, a rapid increase in the number of these drugs was observable as early as the beginning of the 2000s (Schifano et al, 2003). Popularity of NPS can mainly be attributed to their easy availability (e.g., online purchase), relatively low price, high purity, perceived safety profile or misbeliefs about their safety as well as their temporary legal status (e.g., Gittins et al, 2018). Furthermore, NPS became immensely popular in an era in which the availability and purity of classic drugs -such as cocaine or heroin -decreased (e.g., Zawilska, 2017), therefore users of formerly scheduled substances shifted to NPS consumption.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why do people use new psychoactive substances? Development of a new measurement tool in six European countries

et al. 2020

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Introduction: New psychoactive substances (NPS) pose a public health threat. Many studies have tried to identify the reasons of NPS use; however, none of them have so far used any standardised measures. The aim of this study was (i) to develop and cross-culturally validate the New Psychoactive Substance Use Motives Measure (NPSMM) and (ii) to compare motives of NPS use across countries and user types. Methods: Three subgroups (socially marginalised users, nightlife attendees and members of online communities) of NPS users ( N = 3023) were recruited from six EU member countries. Demographics, motives and types of NPS used were assessed. NPS use motives were measured by adapting the extended six-factor version of the Marijuana Motives Measure. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a similar five-factor solution across most of the countries: coping, enhancement, social, conformity and expansion motives. Marginalised users scored higher on coping and conformity motives, nightlife groups showed higher endorsement of social motive, whereas online community users showed higher scores on expansion motives. Various types of NPS were also associated with different motives. Conclusion: NPS use motives might be associated with both the groups of users and the specific types of NPS being consumed. Expansion (psychedelics) and enhancement (stimulants) motives seemed to be linked to the chosen NPS product type, while coping, social and conformity motives were rather associated with user groups. NPSMM was found to be a valid instrument to measure NPS motives.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why do people use new psychoactive substances? Development of a new measurement tool in six European countries

et al. 2020

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“…Previous studies have addressed the inadequacy in essential knowledge and skills required by HCPs on NPS to inform various interventions and highlighted the need for education on these novel molecules [38][39][40][41][42][43]. However, several studies only focused on specific professions and geographical locations in the UK [40][41][42][43].…”

Section: Studies Exploring Nps Knowledge Among Healthcare Professionamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, Owie et al [42] found that most psychiatrists had inadequate overall knowledge of NPS. Lastly, Gittins et al [39] utilised semi-structured interviews to gather detailed information from clients regarding their NPS use and concluded there is a need for further education and training for HCPs, who encounter NPS service users by adopting multi-agency and multi-disciplinary approaches to gauge awareness of changing trends in NPS use. When and where appropriate, referral to drug and alcohol treatment services or other professionals, such as psychiatry, sexual health or social services can be offered to individuals [47].…”

Section: Studies Exploring Nps Knowledge Among Healthcare Professionamentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Baseline Knowledge and Experience of Healthcare Professionals in the United Kingdom on Novel Psychoactive Substances

et al. 2020

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Objective: This survey aimed to explore knowledge and experience on novel psychoactive substances (NPS) of healthcare professionals (HCPs). The study also aimed to assess how HCPs would like to improve their knowledge of NPS. Methods: Seventy paper questionnaires were disseminated in 2017 within continuing education events to pharmacists, nurses and general practitioners (GPs). Additionally, 127 online surveys were completed using the Qualtrics platform by other HCPs and mental health nurses in six United Kingdom (UK) independent mental health hospitals long-stay in-patient rehabilitation services. Two educational sessions involving pharmacists and GPs were also held in late 2017 and mid-2018. Knowledge of NPS by HCPs was evaluated prior to the start of the educational events. Evaluation forms were handed out post-sessions to garner feedback, especially on areas for improvement for future sessions. Statistical analysis of data was undertaken using SPSS (V.25). Results: Most HCPs reported only ‘basic’ to ‘intermediate’ NPS knowledge. Substance misuse service staff felt more informed, were more often consulted and had greater confidence regarding NPS compared to hospital and primary care professionals. A negative association was found between the age of the HCP and knowledge of NPS. Most participants expressed a need for regular training and updates as insufficient NPS-related information is currently received. Conclusions: An improvement within the self-reported knowledge of HCPs on NPS is evident in comparison to previous studies. Continued education of HCPs on NPS is fundamental for the provision of improved harm reduction services, which can enhance overall care for NPS service users.

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“…Today evidence shows addiction to prescription drugs (e.g. painkillers and sedatives) is responsible for more deaths than heroin and cocaine; thus misuse of legal medication has become the latest drug scare in Northern Ireland boundaries between legal and illegal drugs are increasingly fluid as users, and addicts in particular, become 'polydrug users' (Duff, 2015;Gittins et al, 2018). It is very common to find problematic drugs use related to a potentially lethal mixture of drugs obtained from illegal markets (e.g.…”

Section: Northern Ireland: Drugs Paramilitarism and Planningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illegal geographies and spatial planning: developing a dialogue on drugs

Boland

Fox-Rogers

McKay

et al. 2018

Territory, Politics, Governance

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INTRODUCTIONIn 2015 a special issue of this journal dedicated to illegal geographies contained six studies on the "relationships between clandestine economies and the political geographies of law enforcement" (Banister, Boyce and Slack, 2015, p. 365). The unifying thread between the papers was their focus on illegal drugs, with some interesting nods to the role of land use planning (Polson, 2015).More recently, in another journal De Leo (2017, p 216) discusses the "links between urban planning and organised crime". Responding to this emergent body of scholarship in geography and planning we unpack and problematize the links between illegal drugs and spatial planningthe drugs-planning nexus. Moreover, in developing a dialogue on drugs we set the context for a new research agenda for the territoriality, governance and planning of contemporary cityspaces. The first point to make is that a reading of the academic literature reveals the overwhelming majority of planners do not dedicate their mind or motives to the massive issue of illegal drugs.Historically planning discourse has been framed under umbrella narratives such as the public interest (Lennon, 2016) and sustainable development (Davidson and Gleeson, 2014); today the trendy concepts are competitiveness (Boland, 2014), climate change (Wilson and Piper, 2010), resilience (Mehmood, 2016), health and wellbeing (Tewdwr-Jones, 2017). The eclectic nature of modern spatial planning encompasses almost every issue facing the modern city, from children's diet to the futurity of the planet. We deliberately emphasise the adjective almost because there is one notable, to us perplexing, omission in the intellectual focus of planners. Souza (2006, p. 333, our inset) explains "drug trafficking [and use] is an important challenge…for urban planning".However, there is a limited number of papers addressing drugs from a planning perspective (e.g. ). Regarding practice, at different spatialities of the UK's planning framework health, wellbeing, crime and anti-social behaviour are mentioned; however, in comparative terms drugs, and their often deleterious spatial and social consequences, are not discussed in any substantive or systematic manner in any planning strategy or policy document. Thus, drugs seemingly do not occupy the mindset of planners in universities or councils. Even in an era of inter-professional working and healthy urban planning the issue remains disconnected from praxis. Instead, drugs are largely the focus of other social science disciplines (e.g. geography, sociology, criminology and economics) and responsibility of other public officials. 2For us drugs are a planning problem. This necessitates planning scholars and practitioners to be just as familiar with the drugs debate as they are with child obesity or global warming; i.e. moving beyond simplistic stereotyping of 'druggies' and sensationalist statements such as 'drugs cause crime' and 'drugs kill'. These at best misleading axioms, peddled by professionals (e.g. scientists, politicians and the police 1 ) an...

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Exploration of the Use of New Psychoactive Substances by Individuals in Treatment for Substance Misuse in the UK

Cited by 23 publications

References 39 publications

Why do people use new psychoactive substances? Development of a new measurement tool in six European countries

Why do people use new psychoactive substances? Development of a new measurement tool in six European countries

Exploring the Baseline Knowledge and Experience of Healthcare Professionals in the United Kingdom on Novel Psychoactive Substances

Illegal geographies and spatial planning: developing a dialogue on drugs

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