Hair Analysis to Evaluate Polydrug Use

Abstract

Polydrug use is a frequent pattern of consumption in Europe. This behavior has mainly been analyzed within restricted groups; more rarely in large populations. Current polydrug use is less studied than simultaneous use. This study focused on the concurrent assumption of polydrug among drivers using hair matrix. Hair matrix, for its biological characteristics, allows to identify illicit drug use more often than other matrices, i.e., urine, and it provides information on the long-term use of them. Hair samples of subjects positive for opiates, cocaine and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) collected by the forensic toxicology laboratory of the University of Macerata in the period 2010–2020, were analyzed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Our results evidenced that a significant part of the examined population (12.15%) used polydrug. A strong predominance of males over females was evident. Polydrug users were more frequently young people. The abuse of two substances was predominant. Cocaine and Δ9-THC was the most common combination, followed by cocaine and morphine, and morphine and Δ9-THC. The timeframe of polydrug use was also analyzed. Our study shows that polydrug use is a very frequent behavior, and that hair analysis may be a powerful tool to obtain objective biological information of this complex phenomenon.

Cocaine: An Updated Overview on Chemistry, Detection, Biokinetics, and Pharmacotoxicological Aspects including Abuse Pattern

“…Many of these additives are often included to increase the perceived volume (e.g., talc, sugar or corn starch) or purity of cocaine (e.g., lidocaine, benzocaine, and procaine; caffeine, ephedrine) and may modulate cocaine's biological effects, including toxicity [24]. In addition to these substances, polydrug use with both licit and illicit drugs is a common practice among cocaine users [2,[145][146][147][148]. Polydrug use constitutes a risk for users for a myriad of reasons, including the potentiation of noxious effects of one drug by the other(s) due to the formation of new (and perhaps more toxic) metabolites and/or the competitive inhibition of metabolizing systems.…”

Cross-border Activities Associated With Pattern of Amphetamine-type Stimulants Usage Among Drug Users in Southwest of China

“…Drug abuse patterns have merged from single heroin abuse to ATS poly-drug use recently. Compared to single substance use, poly-drug use was linked to worse health outcomes such as higher rates of relapse and mortality, drug dependence and impaired perceptual/motor function 4 , 8 as well as blood-borne infections 9 including increased infection with HIV, hepatitis B/C, and tuberculosis. 10 Additionally, drug abuse patterns involved in co-injections.…”