Motives for using new psychoactive substances in three groups of Polish users: nightlife, marginalised and active on...

The aim of this article is to present the motives for using new psychoactive substances (NPS) among users in Poland and to evaluate the relationships between motives and consumption of different types of NPS.

The fieldwork was conducted in four locations: in Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, and Tricity. The study involved a total of 596 users of new psychoactive substances. Among them were: nightlife users, using NPS recreationally (N = 172), socially marginalised users (N = 86) and users active on the internet (N = 338). The technique used in the study was a self-filled questionnaire.

As assessed by all respondents, enhancement of mood was the most frequently indicated motive for using NPS. Among nightlife users, the NPS were most often used for the purpose of having more fun at parties. Among the marginalised users, the most common motive for using the new psychoactive substances was the desire to get intoxicated, which is a motive belonging to the group of motives related to enhancement. In the group of people active on the Internet, the most common motives for using these substances were those related to expansion.

Identifying motives for using new psychoactive substances may contribute to reducing the use of NPS. The recreational and marginalised users have different motives for using substances. The same conclusion applies to the use of the individual NPS. The motives of using them vary. Thus, preventive, educational and therapeutic programs should be judiciously adapted to the needs of the users as well as to the kind of substances they use.