Characterizing Trends in Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist Use from Patient Clinical Evaluations during Medical Toxicology Consultation.

MedStar author(s):
Citation: Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 53(3):207-214, 2021 Jul-Aug.PMID: 33225872Institution: MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Emergency MedicineForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: *Cannabis | *Hallucinogens | *Substance-Related Disorders | Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/ae [Adverse Effects] | Humans | Referral and Consultation | Substance-Related Disorders/di [Diagnosis] | Substance-Related Disorders/ep [Epidemiology]Year: 2021ISSN:
  • 0279-1072
Name of journal: Journal of psychoactive drugsAbstract: Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are a new class of compounds with profound psychoactive effects and potential toxicity. This study characterizes patterns in SCRA abuse using qualitative interviews with individuals receiving medical toxicology consultation. Patients with suspected exposure to a new psychoactive substance were interviewed by medical toxicologists upon presentation for acute care. Investigators collected clinical and qualitative data including knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices related to psychoactive substance use. Responses were categorized by identifying themes, and statistics were generated to describe patterns of use. Overall, 69% (86) of the 124 cases of novel psychoactive substance use entered into the registry were associated with exposure to SCRAs. Most patients (68.8%) had used SCRAs at least once before the presenting episode. 47.7% considered SCRAs to be very easy to obtain, and 44.2% reported paying for the substances while 32.6% acquired it for free. Nearly half (48.8%) of patients reported their primary reason for use was to get high; a small proportion used SCRAs to avoid testing positive on drug screening (6.9%) or as an alternative to marijuana (4.6%). Findings suggest an independent and stable culture is developing around the use of SCRAs separate from their appeal as an "undetectable" alternative to marijuana.All authors: Boyer E, Brent J, Campleman S, Carlson R, Daniuaityte R, Mazer-Amirshahi M, Sheth A, Tebo C, Wax POriginally published: Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. :1-8, 2020 Nov 23Fiscal year: FY2021Fiscal year of original publication: FY2021Digital Object Identifier: Date added to catalog: 2020-12-31
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Journal Article MedStar Authors Catalog Article 33225872 Available 33225872

Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are a new class of compounds with profound psychoactive effects and potential toxicity. This study characterizes patterns in SCRA abuse using qualitative interviews with individuals receiving medical toxicology consultation. Patients with suspected exposure to a new psychoactive substance were interviewed by medical toxicologists upon presentation for acute care. Investigators collected clinical and qualitative data including knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices related to psychoactive substance use. Responses were categorized by identifying themes, and statistics were generated to describe patterns of use. Overall, 69% (86) of the 124 cases of novel psychoactive substance use entered into the registry were associated with exposure to SCRAs. Most patients (68.8%) had used SCRAs at least once before the presenting episode. 47.7% considered SCRAs to be very easy to obtain, and 44.2% reported paying for the substances while 32.6% acquired it for free. Nearly half (48.8%) of patients reported their primary reason for use was to get high; a small proportion used SCRAs to avoid testing positive on drug screening (6.9%) or as an alternative to marijuana (4.6%). Findings suggest an independent and stable culture is developing around the use of SCRAs separate from their appeal as an "undetectable" alternative to marijuana.

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