Psychoactives, Volume 4, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 3 articles

Dexamphetamine (DEX) is widely used in treatments, but concerns persist about its potential for addiction. This review aimed to assess the risks of DEX addiction by examining the existing literature. Originally planned as a systematic review, it was adjusted to a narrative review due to a lack of qualifying studies. A search of the literature on addiction to DEX was conducted on three databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Seven articles consisting of three reviews and four papers with original data were identified and reviewed. In total, four poorly documented cases of possible DEX addiction were found. The commonly cited papers on prescription DEX addiction did not hold up to scrutiny. Overall, the evidence that DEX is addictive is limited and inconclusive, highlighting the need for more rigorous research to clarify its true addiction risk. Full article

Background: To estimate the prevalence of co-occurring obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) with substance use disorder (SUD) in the general population. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on the prevalence of comorbid OCD and SUD in the general population using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE and CINAHL. Using the keywords, relevant studies published between 1993 and 2021 were identified. These studies were analysed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and the guidelines for Meta-analysis for Observational Studies in Epidemiology. Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and had a total combined sample size of 47,850 participants. The lifetime prevalence of any identified SUD in patients with OCD ranged between 4.3% and 62.4%. Among co-occurring OCD with AUD, prevalence ranged between 14.1% and 35.9%; cannabis use disorder and OCD, between 11.5% and 24.4%; and tobacco use disorder and OCD, between 15% and 23.1%. Alcohol was the commonest psychoactive substance used in most of the studies reviewed and the prevalence of co-occurring substance use was highest in males. Conclusions: In conclusion, this review highlights the variable prevalence of co-occurring SUDs in individuals with OCD, emphasizing that the association differs based on the type of substance. Overall, the prevalence rate of co-occurring OCD and SUDs underscores the need for further research on the relationship between these conditions and the development of effective treatment strategies that address both disorders concurrently. Full article

Adolescence is a phase characterized by reckless and risky behaviors, including the initiation and use of various illicit substances such as cannabis and alcohol. When ingested or administered, these substances affect mental processes by delivering pleasure, inner peace, and satisfaction. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of psychoactive substance (PAS) use among adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 300 participants surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected using the Mediterranean School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (MedSPAD) to assess substance use, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose substance use disorders (SUDs), and the Early Trauma Inventory Self-Report Short Form (ETISR-SF) to identify childhood maltreatment, as well as socio-demographic characteristics. During the study period, 300 secondary school students participated. Their mean age was 17.92 ± 1.40 years, ranging from 15 to 22. There were slightly more males (56.7%) than females. A total of 40.67% of participants admitted to using at least one PAS at least once, while the prevalence of current use was 26%. Tobacco was the most commonly used substance (22.1%), followed by cannabis (7.33%). According to the DSM-5, 40.2% of users met the criteria for severe addiction. Factors associated with PAS use included the father’s level of education; place of use (e.g., home); poor relationships with parents, siblings, and teachers; and childhood maltreatment. Psychoactive substance use was found to be prevalent among adolescents in this study. Full article