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. 2024 Aug 20;14(8):1033.
doi: 10.3390/life14081033.

Patterns and Emerging Trends in Acute Poisoning with Substances of Abuse Used for Recreational Purposes in Adolescents: A Six-Year Multicentre Study

Teodora-Adela Turcu  1   2 , Andreea Lescaie  1   2 , Andreea Rodica Grama  1   2 , Andreea-Cătălina Strătulă  1 , Andreea-Iasmina Vincene  1 , Laura-Maria Grigoraș  1 , Cristina Jităreanu  3   4 , Alina Maria Babeu  5 , Mihai Gafencu  6   7 , Maria-Dorina Crăciun  8   9 , Carmen-Daniela Chivu  8   9 , Daniela Luiza Baconi  10 , Cristina Maria Mihai  11   12 , Coriolan Emil Ulmeanu  1   2 , Gabriela Viorela Nițescu  1   2
Affiliations

Patterns and Emerging Trends in Acute Poisoning with Substances of Abuse Used for Recreational Purposes in Adolescents: A Six-Year Multicentre Study

Teodora-Adela Turcu et al. Life (Basel). .

Abstract

This six-year multicentre study investigated acute intentional poisoning with substances of abuse in adolescents to identify changes and patterns in substance use. Data from 562 adolescents were collected from three paediatric poison centres in Romania between January 2017 and December 2022. This study analysed the epidemiological and sociodemographic characteristics of the adolescents, including age, gender, place of residence, history of substance abuse, psychiatric history, and history of institutionalised care. The findings revealed that cannabis and new psychoactive substances (NPSs) are the most commonly implicated substances, each with distinct profiles among adolescents. Cannabis was involved in 46.1% of cases, with a significant association with urban residency. NPSs were identified as the second most prevalent substance, accounting for 39.3% of cases. These were more prevalent in rural areas and among patients with psychiatric disorders. Cannabis and NPSs were also the most commonly implicated substances in acute intentional poisoning cases with substances of abuse. These substances have distinct profiles among adolescents, including age, gender, residency area, history of substance abuse, psychiatric history, and institutional care. These findings underscore the necessity of targeted public health interventions and integrated care approaches to address substance use and related mental health issues in adolescents.

Keywords: adolescents; cannabis; new psychoactive substances; poisoning; public health; substance abuse.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The frequency of substances of abuse involved in acute intentional poisoning cases. Abbreviations: NPSs, new psychoactive substances; MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine; LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The temporal trends of the substances of abuse involved in acute intentional poisoning cases. Abbreviations: NPSs, new psychoactive substances.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The distribution of patient sex by the substances of abuse involved in acute intentional poisoning cases. Abbreviations: NPSs, new psychoactive substances; MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine; LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The distribution of patient area of residence by the substances of abuse involved in acute intentional poisoning cases. Abbreviations: NPSs, new psychoactive substances; MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine; LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(A–D) The distribution of chronic substance abusers (A), patients with psychiatric disorders (B), patients receiving care in an institutional setting (C), and the co-ingestion of ethanol beverages (D) by the substances of abuse involved in acute intentional poisoning cases. Abbreviations: NPSs, new psychoactive substances; MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine; LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide.
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