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Fitzgerald ND, Palamar JJ. Increases in the use of drug testing kits among nightclub and festival attendees in New York City who use ecstasy, 2017-2022. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024; 43:975-983. [PMID: 38408742 PMCID: PMC11052675 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA]) is a drug commonly used by people who attend electronic dance music (EDM) events at nightclubs and dance festivals. Drug checking has gained popularity in recent years to test for adulterants, but epidemiology studies are needed to estimate potential shifts in prevalence of drug checking to further inform harm reduction efforts. METHODS Adults entering randomly selected EDM events in New York City were surveyed in 2017 and 2022. Those reporting past-year ecstasy use were asked if they tested their ecstasy in the past year using a drug testing kit and whether they found out or suspected their ecstasy contained other drugs. We compared estimates between 2017 and 2022. RESULTS In 2017, an estimated 23.1% had tested their ecstasy, and this estimate increased to 43.1% in 2022 (86.6% increase, p = 0.006). Among those who tested their ecstasy, in 2017, 31.2% always tested their drug, and this increased to 60.6% in 2022 (94.2% increase, p = 0.026). In 2017, 59.6% of those who tested their ecstasy reported finding out or suspecting their drug was adulterated, which decreased to 18.4% in 2022 (69.1% decrease, p < 0.001). Suspected methamphetamine adulteration in particular decreased, from 21.9% in 2017 to 3.6% in 2022 (83.6% decrease, p = 0.007). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The use of drug testing kits has increased among EDM event attendees who use ecstasy and, at the same time, among those who had tested their ecstasy, suspected adulteration has decreased. Continued interest in understanding ecstasy contents among this population suggests the need for formal drug checking services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D. Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Joseph J. Palamar
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
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Fitzgerald ND, Cottler LB, Palamar JJ. Public health surveillance of new psychoactive substances: recent developments. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2024:00001504-990000000-00117. [PMID: 38587019 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW New psychoactive substances (NPS) continue to emerge globally and present a threat to public health. This article summarizes the most recent literature on approaches for monitoring NPS use and adverse events related to use. RECENT FINDINGS A variety of approaches have recently been employed for surveillance of NPS use and associated harms, including the use of toxicology testing of patients in emergency departments, surveys of sentinel populations, drug checking and syringe services programs, wastewater-based epidemiology, and retrospective analyses of clinical samples and toxicology reports. These studies cover a range of time periods and NPS examined across numerous countries. SUMMARY Areas of particular interest for future research include the use of data from drug checking services to inform surveillance efforts of the illicit drug supply and the development of methods for wastewater-based monitoring of NPS. Studies that combine self-report data with toxicology testing in particular are important for capturing unintentional or unknown exposure to NPS including fentanyls and drugs like xylazine. Given the limitations associated with individual indicators of drug use and associated harms, the harmonization of multiple data sources can help present a more complete picture of both trends involving NPS to better inform public health responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Linda B Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Joseph J Palamar
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, New York, USA
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Fitzgerald ND, Liu Y, Wang A, Striley CW, Setlow B, Knackstedt L, Cottler LB. Sequencing hour-level temporal patterns of polysubstance use among persons who use cocaine, alcohol, and cannabis: A back-translational approach. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 258:111272. [PMID: 38555662 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polysubstance use is highly prevalent among persons who use cocaine; however, little is known about how alcohol and cannabis are used with cocaine. We identified temporal patterns of cocaine+alcohol and cocaine+cannabis polysubstance use to inform more translationally relevant preclinical models. METHODS Participants who used cocaine plus alcohol and/or cannabis at least once in the past 30 days (n=148) were interviewed using the computerized Substance Abuse Module and the newer Polysubstance Use-Temporal Patterns Section. For each day in the past 30 days, participants reported whether they had used cocaine, alcohol, and cannabis; if any combinations of use were endorsed, participants described detailed hourly use of each substance on the most "typical day" for the combination. Sequence analysis and hierarchical clustering were applied to identify patterns of timing of drug intake on typical days of cocaine polysubstance use. RESULTS We identified five temporal patterns among the 180 sequences of reported cocaine polysubstance use: 1) limited cocaine/cocaine+alcohol use (53%); 2) extensive cannabis then cocaine+alcohol+cannabis use (22%); 3) limited alcohol/cannabis then cocaine+alcohol use (13%); 4) extensive cocaine+cannabis then cocaine+alcohol+cannabis use (4%); and 5) extensive cocaine then cocaine+alcohol use (8%). While drug intake patterns differed, prevalence of use disorders did not. CONCLUSIONS Patterns were characterized by cocaine, alcohol, and cannabis polysubstance use and by the timing, order, duration, and quantity of episode-level substance use. The identification of real-world patterns of cocaine polysubstance use represents an important step toward developing laboratory models that accurately reflect human behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Yiyang Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Anna Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Catherine W Striley
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Barry Setlow
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lori Knackstedt
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Linda B Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Palamar JJ, Fitzgerald ND, Carr TH, Rutherford C, Keyes KM, Cottler LB. National and regional trends in seizures of shrooms (psilocybin) in the United States, 2017-2022. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024:111086. [PMID: 38326175 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psilocybin, the principle psychoactive component in "shrooms", is regaining acceptance in therapeutic settings, leading to media coverage of medical benefits associated with use. Possession is also becoming increasingly decriminalized throughout the United States. There is a lack of data on prevalence of shroom use, but trends in law enforcement seizure data can provide one indicator of shroom availability in US communities. We determined whether seizures of shrooms have shifted between 2017 and 2022. METHODS This study examined national and regional trends in counts and total weight of shroom seizures reported to High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas in the US between 2017 and 2022 (N=4526). RESULTS There were 402 seizures in 2017 compared to 1396 in 2022 with the plurality occurring in the Midwest (36.0%), followed by the West (33.5%). Between 2017 Quarter 1 (Q1) and 2022 Quarter 4 (Q4), the number of seizures increased by 368.9% (AQPC=7.0; 95 CI: 5.9-8.1) and there were significant increases in all four regions. In terms of weight, 226.0kg was seized in 2017 vs. 844.0kg in 2022, and the greatest total weight in seizures was in the West (1864.2kg, 42.6%), followed by the South (1831.9kg, 41.8%). Between 2017 Q1 and 2022 Q4, the total weight seized in the US increased by 2749.7% (AQPC=6.2, 95% CI: 0.3-12.4) and there were significant increases in all four regions. CONCLUSIONS Seizures of shrooms have increased, suggesting that availability may be escalating; thus, increases in prevention efforts and harm reduction education are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Palamar
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Nicole D Fitzgerald
- University of Florida, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, United States; NDEWS, University of Florida, USA
| | - Thomas H Carr
- Office of National Drug Control Policy, Washington-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program; College of Public Affairs, Center for Drug Policy and Prevention, University of Baltimore, USA
| | - Caroline Rutherford
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine M Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Linda B Cottler
- University of Florida, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, United States; NDEWS, University of Florida, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of ketamine, a controlled dissociative anesthetic, has become more widespread in recent years with recreational/nonmedical use increasing and ketamine becoming more widely available in clinics to treat depression. AIMS We examined recent trends in adverse effects related to ketamine use. METHODS US National Poison Control data were examined, focusing on ketamine exposures among those aged ⩾13 between 2019 and 2021 (n = 758). We examined quarterly trends in exposure and delineated correlates of patients experiencing a major adverse effect or death. RESULTS The number of reported exposures increased 81.1% from 2019 Quarter 1 through 2021 Quarter 4, from 37 to 67 (p = 0.018). The majority of patients were male (57.1%), and the plurality of cases involved intentional misuse or "abuse" (39.5%), followed by suspected suicide attempt (19.7%) and unintentional exposure (18.9%). A fifth (19.6%) experienced a major adverse effect or death. A third (33.4%) co-used other drugs; the drugs most commonly co-used were benzodiazepines (14.6%), alcohol (10.3%), and opioids (8.7%). Co-use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB; adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 3.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57-7.46) and opioids (aPR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.46-4.08) was associated with increased risk for a major adverse effect or death, as was injection-only administration (aPR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.21-5.92). CONCLUSIONS Although still rare, poisonings involving ketamine have increased in recent years. Polydrug use-particularly with opioids or GHB-appears to be a particular risk factor for more serious adverse effects. As prevalence of use increases, it is important to monitor adverse effects and co-occurring behaviors to inform timely prevention and harm reduction as needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J. Palamar
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole D. Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David J. Grundy
- A Division of Denver Health, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety (RMPDS), Denver, CO, USA
| | - Joshua C. Black
- A Division of Denver Health, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety (RMPDS), Denver, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Jewell
- A Division of Denver Health, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety (RMPDS), Denver, CO, USA
| | - Linda B. Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Won NY, Palamar JJ, Mike SA, Fitzgerald ND, Cottler LB. A Qualitative Analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Personnel Experiences and Perceptions Responding to Drug Overdoses in the United States (US) During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Health Res 2023; 37:270-279. [PMID: 38148880 PMCID: PMC10751031 DOI: 10.56808/2586-940x.1045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Summary Background The purpose of this work was to describe the experiences of EMS personnel in responding to drug overdose-related calls and the impact the pandemic has had to help better inform current response and treatment efforts. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 99 EMS personnel across 18 areas throughout the United States that were designated as Early Warning Network sentinel sites by the National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded National Drug Early Warning System. Participants were asked about topics including the potential burdens from the pandemic and the opioid crisis. We coded the interview responses and identified themes through qualitative analysis. Multiple cycles of descriptive coding, recoding, subcoding, pattern-coding, and thematic coding of responses were conducted. Results Responses were categorized into the following themes: 1) being over-worked from increased call volume; 2) increased risk for personal harm when responding to patients; 3) compassion fatigue due to long hours and repeat calls for the same people; 4) conflicting perceptions of the utility of naloxone; 5) the need for better treatment options to respond to opioid crisis on top of COVID-19. Conclusions The burden of the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis on EMS personnel has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. These reports from EMS personnel throughout the US can help inform policy and procedures to better protect the mental health of EMS personnel and to ensure better care for patients with SUD. These experiences and recommendations may be of use for other countries as substance use and COVID-19 are global health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nae Y. Won
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Joseph J. Palamar
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, USA
| | - Stephen A. Mike
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Nicole D. Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - Linda B. Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
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Fitzgerald ND, Liu Y, Wang A, Striley CW, Setlow B, Knackstedt L, Cottler LB. Test-retest reliability of a new assessment to detect detailed temporal patterns of polysubstance use. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2022; 31:e1912. [PMID: 35684977 PMCID: PMC9464326 DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While polysubstance use is highly prevalent among people who use drugs, the field lacks a reliable assessment that can detect detailed temporal patterns of polysubstance use. This study assessed the test-retest reliability of the newly developed Polysubstance Use-Temporal Patterns Section (PSU-TPS). METHODS Participants who used cocaine plus alcohol and/or marijuana at least once in the past 30 days (n = 48) were interviewed at baseline and approximately 7 days later (retest) using the Substance Abuse Module and the PSU-TPS. Reliability of PSU-TPS measures of quantity, frequency, and duration of polysubstance use was examined using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and kappa tests. RESULTS Excellent reliability was observed for frequencies of concurrent polysubstance use patterns in the past 30 days (ICC range: 0.90-0.94) and quantity of alcohol use (ICC = 0.83), and fair to good reliability was observed for duration of substance use (ICC range: 0.52-0.73). CONCLUSION Detailed information regarding cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana polysubstance use in the past 30 days can be reliably measured with the PSU-TPS. Data on the order and timing of polysubstance use at the hourly level will improve our understanding of the implications of sequential and simultaneous use patterns, which can help inform treatment and prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Yiyang Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Anna Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Catherine W Striley
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Barry Setlow
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Lori Knackstedt
- Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Linda B Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Fitzgerald ND, Barenholtz E. Commentary on Lin et al.: The importance of valid reference standards in training supervised machine learning classifiers to detect alcohol misuse. Addiction 2022; 117:1494-1495. [PMID: 34935233 PMCID: PMC11025022 DOI: 10.1111/add.15784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health & Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Elan Barenholtz
- Department of Psychology, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
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Cottler LB, Lasopa SO, Striley CW, Cicero TJ, Fitzgerald ND, Ben Abdallah A. Prescription stimulant brand name recognition among a national sample of 10- to 18-year-old youth. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2021; 30:e1884. [PMID: 34245080 PMCID: PMC8633931 DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The majority of prescription drugs, including prescription stimulants, are marketed using multiple brand names, doses, and formulations. There is limited research on the extent to which individuals correctly identify medication by brand name or packaging, but such identification is important for epidemiological studies especially among youth. Testing the ability of youth to identify medications was one aim of the National Monitoring of Prescription Stimulants Study, which focused on the prevalence of prescription stimulant use among youth. METHODS Using the entertainment venue intercept method, youth 10 to 18 years of age (n = 11,048) were recruited across 10 metropolitan areas throughout the United States, shown pictures of eight formulations of prescription stimulants, and asked to identify them by name, dosage, and formulation. RESULTS Overall, 27% of youth reported having seen one of the eight stimulant formulations and between 2% and 70% correctly identified name, dose, and formulation. Youths' reports of having seen and correctly identifying medication increased with age except for Daytrana® . Specifically, while 2.8% of youth reported using Adderall® in the past 30 days, only 71.4% correctly identified it. CONCLUSIONS These results provide strong evidence of the need for more stringent methods for youth to report drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda B Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Sonam O Lasopa
- New Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
| | - Catherine W Striley
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Theodore J Cicero
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nicole D Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, Colleges of Medicine and Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Arbi Ben Abdallah
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Fitzgerald ND, Striley CW, Palamar JJ, Copeland J, Kurtz S, Cottler LB. Test-retest reliability and cross-cultural applicability of DSM-5 adopted diagnostic criteria for ketamine use disorders. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 228:109056. [PMID: 34592704 PMCID: PMC8678918 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite increasing prevalence of nonmedical ketamine use globally, data on ketamine use disorders, which are classified in the DSM-5 under criteria for phencyclidine, are limited. This study assessed the reliability and applicability of DSM-based diagnostic criteria for ketamine use disorder. METHODS Participants who used ecstasy were recruited through the Tri-City Study of Club Drug Use, Abuse, and Dependence in St. Louis, Miami, and Sydney. Those who reported using ketamine (lifetime use >5 times) were included in these analyses (n = 205). Participants were interviewed using the computerized Substance Abuse Module for Club Drugs (CD-SAM) at baseline and 7 days later for the reliability of diagnoses and individual diagnostic criteria. RESULTS Overall, 29.3% met DSM-5 adopted criteria for ketamine use disorder at Time 1. Moderate to excellent test-retest reliability was observed consistently across study sites for any ketamine use disorder (κ = 0.57, Y = 0.61) and severe ketamine use disorder (κ = 0.62, Y = 0.79). Continued use of ketamine despite knowledge of physical or psychological problems was the most frequently endorsed individual criterion (59.0%), followed by reported withdrawal (30.2%) and physically hazardous use (29.8%). All individual criteria had acceptable reliability estimates (κ ≥ 0.41). CONCLUSIONS Diagnoses of ketamine use disorder can be reliably evaluated using this fully structured diagnostic instrument's questions and algorithm. Ketamine-related withdrawal among people who use ketamine should be re-evaluated. Considering that after-effects of this dissociative anesthetic can last for many hours, it is important to explore a different timeframe for possible withdrawal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100231, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Catherine W Striley
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100231, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Joseph J Palamar
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jan Copeland
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NDW 2052, Australia
| | - Steven Kurtz
- Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, Miami, FL 33138, USA
| | - Linda B Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100231, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Barenholtz E, Krotulski AJ, Morris P, Fitzgerald ND, Le A, Papsun DM, Logan BK, Hahn WE, Goldberger BA, Cottler LB, Palamar JJ. Online surveillance of novel psychoactive substances (NPS): Monitoring Reddit discussions as a predictor of increased NPS-related exposures. Int J Drug Policy 2021; 98:103393. [PMID: 34365124 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) present continuous and growing challenges for the scientific, medical, and interventional communities as emerging substances on recreational drug markets change national and international drug landscapes. NPS account for an increasing proportion of adverse events, hospitalizations, and deaths due to increasing potency and unanticipated biological effects compared to predecessors. This study evaluated the utility of drug use forums as an early indicator or predictor of impending intoxications with potentially harmful or lethal outcomes prior to their occurrences. METHODS Eight NPS were selected for evaluation to assess the relationship between online mentions of drugs and their involvement in toxic exposures or overdoses. Mentions on Reddit drug forum discussions were tallied and toxicology testing results from forensic investigations in the US were assessed. The selected NPS covered several subclasses and a predetermined time range (2013-2020). They included carfentanil, U-47700, eutylone, flualprazolam, N-ethylpentylone, 5F-MDMB-PICA, isotonitazene, and brorphine. RESULTS Seven NPS (excluding 5F-MDMB-PICA) appeared in discussions on Reddit prior to their implication in poisonings or intoxications. Distinct increases and decreases in number of mentions and number of exposures were observed. For most substances (n = 5, 63%), a rise in Reddit mentions was soon followed by a corresponding rise in toxicology positivity. Peak positivity for carfentanil and flualprazolam, however, preceded peak Reddit mentions. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the utility of social media sites, such as Reddit, as a predictor for future trends in NPS-related exposures. These results provide confirmation that activity on drug use forums in the virtual world can help predict changes in exposures associated with new or re-emerging NPS in the real world. The results warrant further evaluation as a strategy for inclusion in early warning systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elan Barenholtz
- Department of Psychology, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Alex J Krotulski
- Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, Fredric Rieders Family Foundation, 2300 Stratford Ave, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA.
| | - Paul Morris
- Department of Psychology, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Nicole D Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Austin Le
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Donna M Papsun
- Toxicology Department, NMS Labs, 200 Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044, USA
| | - Barry K Logan
- Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, Fredric Rieders Family Foundation, 2300 Stratford Ave, Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA; Toxicology Department, NMS Labs, 200 Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044, USA
| | - William E Hahn
- Department of Psychology, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Bruce A Goldberger
- Forensic Medicine Division, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Box 100275, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Linda B Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Joseph J Palamar
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Palamar JJ, Fitzgerald ND, Cottler LB. Shifting awareness among electronic dance music party attendees that drugs may contain fentanyl or other adulterants. Int J Drug Policy 2021; 97:103353. [PMID: 34242960 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drugs like ecstasy, cocaine, and counterfeit prescription pills can contain fentanyl. We examined knowledge about potential adulteration/contamination of such drugs among people attending electronic dance music (EDM) parties. METHODS Adults in New York City were surveyed entering randomly selected EDM parties during the summers of 2018 (n=1,029) and 2019 (n=559). Surveys assessed perceptions that: 1) ecstasy/Molly can contain adulterants more dangerous than MDMA, 2) cocaine can contain fentanyl, and 3) prescription pills from non-pharmacy sources can contain fentanyl. We compared prevalence of perceptions between 2018 and 2019. RESULTS Prevalence of agreeing that cocaine can contain fentanyl increased from 42.1% to 58.6%, a 39.2% increase (p=.003). Increases in agreement were not significant regarding ecstasy potentially containing adulterants (55.0% vs. 59.0%) and non-pharmacy prescription drugs potentially containing fentanyl (46.8% vs. 52.9%). Those reporting past-year ecstasy use in particular reported increased agreement that ecstasy can be adulterated (from 52.9% to 80.0%, a 51.2% increase; p<.001) and those reporting past-year cocaine use reported increased agreement that cocaine can be adulterated (from 48.2% to 70.7%, a 46.7% increase; p=.016). CONCLUSIONS Knowledge of potential adulteration or contamination of commonly used drugs in this high-risk scene is increasing. Continued education about possible drug contents is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Palamar
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, Room 1752, New York, NY 10016, United States.
| | - Nicole D Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Linda B Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Palamar JJ, Fitzgerald ND, Keyes KM, Cottler LB. Drug checking at dance festivals: A review with recommendations to increase generalizability of findings. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2021; 29:229-235. [PMID: 33600199 PMCID: PMC8282667 DOI: 10.1037/pha0000452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Dance festival attendees are at high risk for consuming adulterated drugs. In recent years, drug checking studies have been conducted at various dance festivals to provide valuable harm reduction information to attendees regarding drug content. We conducted a review of the literature to determine the generalizability of findings to the target population of interest-festival attendees at risk for using adulterated drugs. Six published studies involving drug checking at festivals were reviewed. All relied on self-selected samples and male attendees were overrepresented based on previous research. Test methods, drugs tested, definitions of adulteration, and prevalence of adulteration varied across studies. Prevalence of detection of adulterants ranged from 11% to 55%. While the drug checking services described appear to have been beneficial for participants, results have limited generalizability to the target population. We recommend that researchers expand beyond the self-selection model in future studies and utilize recruitment methods that involve random sampling techniques such as systematic random sampling, stratified random sampling, or time-space sampling within festivals. We also recommend that individuals approached are surveyed for demographic characteristics, planned drug use at the festival, and willingness to test their drugs. These methods would help determine how representative the sample is compared to the target population and allow for more generalizable estimates. In conclusion, as these valuable harm reduction services expand, it may be possible to reach a wider portion of the population at risk and to obtain more generalizable estimates of engagement, adulteration, and reactions to learning one possesses adulterated drugs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J. Palamar
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine
| | - Nicole D. Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida
| | - Katherine M. Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
| | - Linda B. Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida
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Cottler LB, Goldberger BA, Nixon SJ, Striley CW, Barenholtz E, Fitzgerald ND, Taylor SM, Palamar JJ. Introducing NIDA's New National Drug Early Warning System. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 217:108286. [PMID: 32979739 PMCID: PMC7489265 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda B. Cottler
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, United States,Center for Addiction Research & Education, University of Florida, United States
| | - Bruce A Goldberger
- Center for Addiction Research & Education, University of Florida, United States; Forensic Medicine Division, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, United States
| | - Sara Jo Nixon
- Center for Addiction Research & Education, University of Florida, United States; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Florida, United States
| | - Catherine W Striley
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, United States; Center for Addiction Research & Education, University of Florida, United States
| | - Elan Barenholtz
- Department of Psychology, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, United States
| | - Nicole D Fitzgerald
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, United States
| | - Sean M Taylor
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, United States
| | - Joseph J Palamar
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, United States.
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