Patterns of use of new psychoactive substances and perceived benefits and negative effects: results of online survey in Georgia (country)

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The increasing use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) represents a growing public health challenge. This is the first study in Georgia that aims to explore the characteristics of NPS users, patterns of use, and perception of health risks.

Methods: We conducted an online survey in which individuals who have used NPS during the past 12 months filled in a structured questionnaire that covered socio-demographics, drug use practices, and perception of effects of NPS use.

Results: The final database consisted of 353 questionnaires. Cannabis-, MDMA- and LSD-type NPS were most often used substances. Majority obtained NPS from friends and used NPS in a group of friends. Majority of the respondents did not attribute any physical and mental health problems to NPS use. A range of negative effects was reported.

Discussion: Respondents identified a range of negative and positive health and social effects and linked them to the consumption of a particular NPS. Results of this research are important for guiding future efforts to assess health risks associated with NPS use, and to propose harm reduction strategies to mitigate those risks.

KEYWORDS:

• New psychoactive substances
• online survey
• Georgia (country)

Author contributions

David Subeliani: Conceptualization, Methodology, Project administration, Data Curation, Writing – Review & Editing

David Otiashvili: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Data Curation, Supervision, Writing – Original Draft

Irma Kirtadze: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Supervision, Writing – Review & Editing

Lika Kutelia: Investigation, Writing – Review & Editing, Visualization

Tamar Mgebrishvili: Investigation, Writing – Review & Editing, Visualization

Ada Beselia: Investigation, Writing – Review & Editing, Visualization

Irina Vardanashvili: Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Writing – Review & Editing.

Acknowledgments

A significant part of this work represents David Subeliani’s master’s thesis at Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia towards an MA in Addiction Studies.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no external funding.