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Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
Loading articles data…
Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
26 articles
Newest firstBACKGROUND: Determining health information quality on online drug platforms is crucial for revealing and shaping substance use practices. The study aims to assess the scope and quality of health-related information on the largest Polish drug forum, Hyperreal. Ultimately, the goal was to explore how the case of Hyperreal illustrates user-driven knowledge construction around drug use and its potential implications f…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of dependence and abuse of psychoactive substances (PAS) among prison inmates, using data from the OPPIDUM program between 2013 and 2022. Methods OPPIDUM is an annual, cross-sectional national program, conducted among users consulting in specialised addiction centres. Prison inmates were questioned about their PAS use during the week preceding the…
Background Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) has been used to quantify drug harms in the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand. This paper presents the result of an MCDA conducted in Canada, with the aim of informing Canadian drug policy and contributing to public understanding of drugs' relative harms. Methods A panel composed of 20 experts from six provinces determined 16 drugs to…
Background The COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdown measures disrupted daily life globally, potentially impacting substance use and mental health. However, the effects in Morocco, shaped by cultural and social factors, remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on psychoactive substance use and mental health in Morocco, while identifying key socio-demographic determinants of…
Open article record in new tab ↗Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder that causes severe cognitive decline and poses a significant burden on global health systems. Despite extensive research, effective treatments to stop neurodegeneration or promote neuronal regeneration in AD remain elusive. Psychoactive substances as modulators of neurophysiological functions, have received increased attention in research. The main psy…
Background A large number of substance use disorders are increasingly associated with complex clinical presentations and unknown mental and medical risks, presenting a growing challenge for mental health worldwide. Research exploring the interplay between substance use and psychiatric disorders remains limited in Eastern Europe. Objectives We investigated the demographic and clinical features of 203 patients admit…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background/objectives Epigenetics refers to heritable modifications in gene expression that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence. Among these, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs play a key role in regulating gene activity and are influenced by environmental factors, including exposure to psychoactive substances. In recent years, it has been hypothesized that such alterations may serv…
Background World Health Organization defines substance use as harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. There is an increased rate of substance use among youths and adolescents. Substance use significantly increases the risk for mental disorders. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of substance use and knowledge of its effects among secondary sc…
Medical students are at elevated risk for psychoactive substance use and mental health challenges due to academic pressures and environmental stressors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and trends of psychoactive substance use among medical students at Riga Stradins University (RSU) and to examine associations with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and resilience to stress. A bilingual, anonymous cross-…
Introduction PolDrugs is a biennial epidemiological study aimed at analyzing patterns of mostly illicit psychoactive substance use in Poland in the context of psychiatry and harm reduction. This survey was held for the third time, and its results were compared to the last two editions. Materials and methods The survey was conducted as an online survey with 37 closed-ended single-choice questions and 3 multiple-cho…
Open article record in new tab ↗ABSTRACTBACKGROUND:Medical students demonstrate higher rates of substance use than other university students and the general population. The challenges imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raised significant concerns about mental health and substance use.OBJECTIVES:Assess the current prevalence of substance use among medical students at the University of São Paulo and evaluate the impact of…
Background and Objectives: PolDrugs is the largest Polish naturalistic nationwide survey to present basic demographic and epidemiological data that could potentially prevent harm from illicit substances intake in drugs users. The most recent results were presented in 2021. The goal of this year’s edition was to re-present the above data and compare it to the previous edition’s data to identify and describe the dif…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundIllicit substance use has constantly evolved over the years, particularly in the party scene. Monitoring these changes is essential to adapt harm reduction strategies. The OCTOPUS survey was implemented to enhance knowledge on drug use at music festivals. The objective of the work presented here was to describe drug use and to characterize profiles of substance use in music festival attendees.MethodsOCTO…
Open article record in new tab ↗ABSTRACTBackground:Substance use in workplace leads to adverse effects both on the employees and on the workplace. Existing research focuses on alcohol-related harm, while workplace use of other substances has been neglected. There are no randomized controlled studies of brief interventions in Indian hospital settings.Aim:To evaluate the efficacy of World Health Organization (WHO) alcohol, smoking, and substance i…
BackgroundPsychoactive substances (PASs) are an important risk factor for suicide. This study investigated the sociodemographic characteristics, data related to the suicidal behavior, the methods employed, the circumstances of the events, and the use of PASs before dying in all suicides that occurred between 2005–2014 in the Brazilian Federal District, comparing cases with positive and negative detection for PASs…
Open article record in new tab ↗(1) Background: Numerous studies state that the abuse of psychoactive substances produces cognitive, emotional and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the consumption of different psychoactive substances with cognitive performance and depression. (2) Methods: The sample was composed of 254 individuals (M = 41.81; SD = 10.74, from 18 to 69; 76% male) who received psych…
Open article record in new tab ↗BACKGROUND: The accurate assessment of fetal exposure to psychoactive substances provides the basis for appropriate clinical care of neonates. The objective of this study was to identify maternal socio-demographic profiles and risk factors for prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse by measuring biomarkers in neonatal matrices. METHODS: A prospective, observational cohort study was completed. Biomarkers of fetal expos…
Background The misuse of illicit substances is associated with increased morbidity and mortality; thus, substance abuse is a global health concern. The Arabian Gulf region is considered a crossing point and a consumer of illicit drugs. However, a lack of laboratory-based research has limited the scientific assessment of drug misuse in the Arabian Gulf region. Thus, an up-to-date analytical representation of the dr…
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