Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health最新文献

{"title":"E-Vaping Patterns of Use, Information Needs and Risk Perception in the Post Pandemic Era: An International Survey and Social Media Listening Study","authors":"E. Deligianni, S. Mohapatra, G. Papazisis, A. Goulas, F. Schifano, L. Lione","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100210","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100210","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The rapid proliferation of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs) in e-cigarette products presents an urgent public health concern. These include herbal compounds, synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, and other potent analogues, often used by young adults. Their unregulated presence in vape liquids raises significant addiction and intoxication risks. This study aimed to elucidate current trends in NPS vaping and user perceptions to inform clinical and regulatory interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study employed a mixed-methods design that combined an international survey with social media listening. The survey was in English and Greek, distributed between April and December 2024 via online forums (e.g., Bluelight), social media, and university mailing lists. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS. Simultaneously, a netnographic study analyzed 11,721 social media comments (Reddit, YouTube) to extract motivations and perceptions. Data scraping tools Apify and ExportComments were employed, followed by thematic categorization and sentiment analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The survey received 1,045 responses where 210 respondents (20%) were vapers {49% males; 40% aged 25–39; (66% heterosexuals, 21% bisexuals); (47% from Greece, 22% from the UK, 18% from the US and Canada)}. The majority 52% were either high school or college leavers. 86% trusted online resources for information regarding vaping and only 32% referred to healthcare professionals. 81% stated that reliable online resources would work best as the main source of information. 62% of participants were tobacco smokers, and only 21% were ex-smokers. A total of 46% started e-vaping at 25 years or above; 60% used vapes daily. 72% had frequent or occasional cravings to vape; 37% tried to stop unsuccessfully. Meanwhile 31% complained about adverse events after vaping such as coughing, weakness, dizziness, sore throat, chest pain, palpitations, anxiety, COPD. Natural novel psychoactive substances, synthetic cannabinoids and flavorings as well as nicotine were mainly referred to as preferred in vaping liquids. 55% of participants stated that vaping poses medium risk. 32% of the vapers were also users of prescribed medications such as codeine, oxycodone, and 40% also users of NPSs (mainly herbals and benzodiazepines) combined with vaping. Netnographic findings revealed that the primary motivations for vaping were smoking cessation (63%), perception that vaping was less harmful (15%), and sensory appeal (8%). Youth often cited stress relief, peer influence and social identity as vaping drivers. Posts also highlighted widespread unawareness about NPS presence in vape products, reflecting a dangerous information gap.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Vapes are increasingly exploited as vehicles for a range of illicit drugs and NPSs, particularly among youth, with high addiction and toxicity risks. Real-time monitoring, better educ","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100210"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"End of Life with Psylocibin: Research, Data and Experience","authors":"T. Re,&nbsp;A. Metastasio","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100250","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Throughout history, mushrooms have served as a bridge for ancient populations, guiding human beings from earthly life to the \"Beyond\" and allowing them to \"taste\" this passage during their lifetime, thereby alleviating the fear of death.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Recent scientific research has revealed that these ancient practices are supported by research done by leading world universities showing the effectiveness of psilocybin mushrooms in addressing fear of death, anxiety, and existential stress. As consequence psilocybin is now allowed and its use regulated, in several countries, as treatment in individuals with terminal cancer and other similar conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The experience of guiding a person across the bridge between life and death raises intriguing questions about the nature of consciousness, the potential for communication in \"non-ordinary states of consciousness\" between different realms of nature, and the possibility of transcending space and time, thereby creating a new experience and continuity between life and death.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Although we advocate for a wider and more accessible of use of psylocibin in the end of life we believe that more studies are necessary to identify the subjects that would benefit the most from this practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100250"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deaths Following Tianeptine Use in the UK","authors":"E. Mshari,&nbsp;C. Copeland","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Tianeptine is an atypical tricyclic antidepressant with opioid receptor agonist properties. It is unlicensed in the UK. The FDA has released public health warnings on its adverse effects, including dependence, overdose, and mortality. Here we present the characteristics of the first four deaths following tianeptine use in the UK.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cases with post-mortem detections of tianeptine were extracted from the National Programme on Substance Use Mortality (NPSUM) and analysed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Four deaths with post-mortem detections of tianeptine were reported to the NPSUM by 1st November 2024 (male n=2, female n=2; age range 29-51). The first death occurred in 2019, with the following three in 2023. Two deaths were concluded as drug-related, one as suicide, and one as misadventure. Post-mortem analyses identified polydrug use in all cases, with hypnotics/sedatives co-detected in three cases, opioids in two cases, other antidepressants in two cases, and gabapentinoids in two cases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These are the first documented deaths following tianeptine use in the UK, highlighting its emergence on the UK illicit drug market. All cases involved polydrug use, underscoring the risks of combining tianeptine with other CNS depressants. Tianeptine poses a potential public health concern that warrants monitoring, regulation, and increased clinical awareness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100245"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Opioid use and opioid overdose in the Netherlands – a 10 years retrospective study of naloxone administration in Dutch emergency departments","authors":"Bram Kok ,&nbsp;Joris Holkenborg ,&nbsp;Alba van der Have ,&nbsp;Brigitte van de Kerkhof – van Bon ,&nbsp;Joris Datema ,&nbsp;Pieter Veenstra ,&nbsp;Djoke Douma-den Hamer ,&nbsp;Cornelis Kramers","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2024.100164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2024.100164","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The number of opioid users in the Netherlands has doubled in the last two decades. To assess if the rise in use also means a rise in severe opioid intoxications, we studied the number of opioid intoxications necessitating naloxone administration in Dutch emergency departments during the last 10 years.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>a multi-center retrospective cohort study that uses information of Dutch emergency department visits between 2011 and 2020 was conducted. Information on type of opioid, reason for use, and duration of use was collected. A severe opioid intoxication was defined as a patient with an opioid toxidrome in whom a rapid improvement of symptoms occurred after administration of naloxone.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Five emergency departments participated in this study. The number of episodes of naloxone administrations was 311 in 292 unique patients. 187 cases were considered a severe opioid intoxication. Mean annual incidence was 19.5 cases with a maximum annual incidence of 28 cases. The opioid mostly involved was oxycodone in 69 cases (37 %); followed by methadone in 41 cases (22 %) and fentanyl in 26 cases (14 %). 127 cases (68 %) were using opioids since &gt;3 months. 176 cases (94 %) were admitted of whom 96 to the intensive care unit. Twenty three cases died within 30 days (12 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>There is no clear increase in naloxone administration in Dutch emergency departments to treat opioid intoxication between 2011 and 2020. The almost twofold increase in prescription opioids in the Netherlands during the study period is not accompanied by an increase in opioid intoxications in the emergency department.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100164"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143155065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"LSTM and CNN hybrid model for enhanced fingerprint recognition","authors":"Nahla Abdulnabee Sameer ,&nbsp;Bashar M. Nema","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The paper introduces an advanced hybrid model combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks to enhance fingerprint detection and matching within large datasets. The CNN component is employed for feature extraction and learning from image data, while the LSTM component is utilized for sequence prediction in temporal series, yielding optimal results compared to existing methods based on specific criteria. This hybrid approach achieves a fingerprint recognition accuracy of 99.85 %. The proposed method effectively reduces errors in recognition and false rejection rates in fingerprint recognition systems, thereby improving overall usability and security. The integration of CNN and LSTM in fingerprint recognition signifies a substantial advancement in biometric authentication technology, with potential applications in law enforcement, border security, and access control systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100174"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143829563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deep learning in oncology: Transforming cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment","authors":"Tiago Cunha Reis","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100171","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100171","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deep learning (DL) has emerged as a transformative force in oncology, offering unprecedented capabilities in cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosis. The integration of DL models with vast and complex datasets, including genomic, transcriptomic, and imaging data, has paved the way for more precise and personalized cancer care. In particular, DL's application in drug efficacy and toxicity prediction is gaining traction, addressing the critical challenge of high drug failure rates in clinical development. By leveraging large datasets and sophisticated algorithms, DL models can predict drug responses and optimize treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Additionally, DL-driven automation in medical imaging processing and report generation is revolutionizing radiology, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and consistency. This review explores the current advancements in DL applications across various aspects of oncology, emphasizing the potential of AI-driven tools to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and personalization of cancer care. Despite the significant progress, challenges such as model validation, ethical considerations, and the need for transparent AI systems remain. Addressing these challenges will be crucial in realizing the full potential of DL in transforming oncology practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100171"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143437525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Masculinity, Media, and Muscle: IPEDs and the Double-Edged Role of Online Platforms","authors":"H.D. Townshend","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100260","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This presentation will explore the intersection of masculinity, image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) use, and digital culture. Specifically, it will interrogate how online platforms operate as complex spaces that simultaneously reinforce harmful gendered body ideals and facilitate harm reduction practices among men who use IPEDs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This mixed-methods research comprised a five-month netnography of bodybuilding forums and a follow-up cross-sectional survey incorporating open-ended responses and visual data. Thematic analysis was applied to both datasets, with attention to gender theory and body image. A thematic analytic framework was applied, informed by contemporary gender theory and literature on embodiment, subcultural capital, and digitally-mediated drug practices.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Findings demonstrate that masculinities articulated online are often aligned with hegemonic, hyper-muscular ideals, reinforcing normative body anxieties and legitimizing substance use. However, these same digital forums also function as decentralized harm reduction spaces, where peer-led knowledge exchange, risk mitigation strategies, and emotional support are routinely enacted.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Online platforms should be understood as ambivalent cultural sites: they reproduce and circulate dominant masculine aesthetics while simultaneously hosting community-based harm reduction. This duality has significant implications for drug policy, health communication, and the development of targeted interventions within digitally embedded subcultures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100260"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Traditional Use to Dependence: Investigating the Neurobiological Impact of Kratom and Mitragynin","authors":"Z. Hassan","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and its primary alkaloid, mitragynine, have gained global attention as plant-derived psychoactive substances with stimulant and opioid-like properties. Traditionally used in Southeast Asia for medicinal purposes and as a stimulant among manual laborers, kratom has more recently emerged in Western contexts as a recreational \"herbal high\" and alternative to opioids. Despite its long-standing cultural use, concerns about its potential for misuse, particularly among adolescents seeking euphoric effects, have intensified. However, an overdose of kratom may cause addiction-like problems, including aversive withdrawal states and developing physical dependence. Research has found that mitragynine can lead to physical dependence when taken repeatedly and changes how brain cells work.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Here, we compared the impact of kratom decoction relative to mitragynine in terms of its physical dependence and its underlying brain cellular mechanism. We also investigated the significance of kratom intoxication for physical dependence in the future treatment of kratom addiction. Results/</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>While local communities may still view kratom as harmless, emerging scientific evidence underscores its capacity to impair cognitive function and contribute to dependence, raising important questions for public health, regulation, and future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100228"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization and Validation of a Color Spot Test for Forensic Analysis of Ephedrine","authors":"N. Tomar,&nbsp;L. Gupta,&nbsp;H. Gupta,&nbsp;K. Goyal,&nbsp;R.K. Sarin","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100259","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100259","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Ephedrine and its analogs are reportedly encountered in seized samples of drugs of abuse. It is also reported as a precursor in the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamines in India. The present research presents a sensitive color test for the detection of ephedrine in forensic samples.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The certified reference materials (CRM) for the pharmaceutical compounds were sourced from the Indian Pharmacopoeia, Ghaziabad, India. Corresponding working standards of the drugs were prepared, and the developed colorimetric assay was further optimized to enable precise execution at reduced scales. The analytical method was validated following the parameters outlined in the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines, ensuring its specificity, accuracy, and reproducibility.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The test solutions exhibited a violet coloration upon interaction with ephedrine. The colorimetric assay was assessed through visual evaluation of color development, and key reaction parameters influencing the chromatic response were systematically optimized. The validated method met the requisite criteria for preliminary screening applications, ensuring the generation of qualitative and dependable presumptive test results.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The refined analytical method demonstrates high sensitivity, reproducibility, and robustness, effectively detecting ephedrine at a threshold of 7.5 µL. Validation studies affirm that the distinct colorimetric shift is unique to ephedrine under ambient conditions, remains unaltered in the presence of common adulterants, and maintains stability across alkaline pH levels of 12–14. Its rapid and selective performance makes it an efficient screening tool for forensic applications, ensuring reliable qualitative detection in routine analytical assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100259"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Crossroads of Animal Medicine: Assessing Its Potential Impact on Human Health – A Comprehensive Mixed-Methods Investigation through Systematic Literature Review, Pharmacovigilance Approaches, and Netnographic Analysis","authors":"J. Dunn,&nbsp;F. Schifano,&nbsp;E. Dudley,&nbsp;D. Arillotta,&nbsp;A. Guirguis","doi":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100213","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.etdah.2025.100213","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The misuse of veterinary drugs has emerged as a significant public health concern with growing evidence of their infiltration into both illicit drug markets and recreational use. This study aimed to investigate veterinary drug misuse through various methodologies, including systematic literature review, pharmacovigilance data approaches, and social media analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The systematic review of 66 articles identified 28 veterinary drugs being misused by humans, primarily α-2 and β-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, GABAergic modulators, opioid receptor agonists, NSAIDs, and NMDA receptor antagonists. A pharmacovigilance analysis using the FAERS database analysed 21 veterinary drugs, retrieving 38,756 adverse events. A netnographic dual-method analysis of Reddit discussions explored themes related to misuse trends.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Veterinary drugs were misused for purposes such as recreational use, pain relief, weight loss, bodybuilding, and stress-related self-medication. Common administration routes were parenteral, oral, and inhalation. Motivations included affordability, accessibility, and ease of obtaining multiple prescriptions. FAERS analysis revealed 9566 fatalities, with levamisole, pentobarbital, and xylazine among the most concerning substances. Polysubstance use was evident in 90% of cases. Netnography identified emerging misuse of xylazine, carfentanil, medetomidine, pentobarbital, phenylbutazone, and acepromazine.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This research emphasises the increasing misuse of veterinary drugs and the need for heightened vigilance in both healthcare and public health policy to address risks of overdose, dependence, and illicit drug adulteration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72899,"journal":{"name":"Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100213"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}