Substance-related psychopathology and aggressiveness in a nightlife holiday resort: Results from a pilot study in a psychiatric inpatient unit in Ibiza

Giovanni Martinotti, Eduardo Cinosi, Rita Santacroce, Duccio Papanti, Anna Pasquini, Valerio Mancini, Mariangela Corbo, Federica Fiori, Fabiola Sarchione, Daniela Marchetti, Maria Cristina Verrocchio, Massimo di Giannantonio, Marta Torrens, Fabrizio Schifano, Maria Jose Morlan Coarasa, Cristina Merino del Villar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to describe a sample of subjects admitted to a psychiatric unit after the intake of psychoactive substances for recreational purposes. Methods: Between June and September 2015, 49 subjects were included. Sociodemographic characteristics and psychopathological aspects were investigated, and urine samples for further analysis were collected. Three subgroups (cannabinoids, stimulants, and depressors users) were identified, according to the structured interview regarding substance use and urinalysis. Results: Level of aggressiveness was found to be significantly higher (p < .05) in the cannabinoids subgroup. Self-reported symptom severity was comparable among groups, but trends could be identified: SCL-90 results showed a prevalence of anxiety symptoms among depressors users, hostility or aggression in the tetrahydrocannabinol subgroup, and psychoticism in the stimulants subgroup. Conclusions: The use of psychoactive substances was be characterised by poly-use of both traditional and novel substances. The presence of aggressiveness emerged as a main feature associated with the use of cannabis and other cannabinoids. Binge drinking and sleep deprivation also represented a relevant component in almost all the evaluated subjects.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2586
JournalHuman Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 May 2017

Keywords

  • Aggression
  • Nightlife
  • Novel psychoactive substances
  • Psychopathology
  • Substance abuse

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