Needle fixation before needle fixation (the history of a controversial phenomenon)

ABSTRACT

Objective

The aim of this article is to provide a complete review of the international literature about the history of needle fixation until its current definition.

Method

A search was undertaken looking at scientific material in relation to the use of the hypodermic needle for non-medical purposes or not exclusively instrumental for the injection of illicit drugs: this material, the history of the syringe, and its use were included according to the subject and chronological criterion.

Results

There are many references on the existence and problems of using the hypodermic needle for non-medical purposes. The main one is to inject illicit drugs; however, there are as many elements to argue an addiction or a skin puncture-seeking mania regardless of the presence of substances use. This behavior, nowadays universally known as “needle fixation,” disregards the substance to become itself an object of addiction.

Conclusions

The existence of needle fixation is demonstrated with certainty through a series of sources. There is a long history of this behavior and its related phenomena, complications, and consequences. Finally, the modern definition stated the clinical reality of the whole phenomenon and promoted the thorough study of it, also promoting further contributions from all over the world.

KEYWORDS:

• Needle fixation
• hypodermic syringe injection
• compulsive injecting behavior
• relapse in chronic substance addiction
• non-substance addiction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

The author reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.