Novel Psychoactive Substance Use and Psychological Trauma: A Multimethodological Analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Novel psychoactive substance (NPS) use represents a paradigm shift from traditional substances.
• Evidence links trauma and difficulties with emotion regulation to NPS use.
• Understanding these connections is crucial for effective treatment system adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore demographic and psychopathological characteristics of individuals using NPS.
• To examine the relationship between emotion regulation deficiencies and the choice of specific substances.
• To investigate the link between psychological trauma and NPS use.

Main Methods:

• Methodological triangulation was employed.
• Biologically identified samples confirmed NPS use.
• Survey methods and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) subscales assessed user characteristics and emotion regulation.

Main Results:

• Participants were primarily polydrug users, with transgenerational substance use noted.
• NPS use showed different psychopathological associations compared to classical substance use.
• Elevated scores on MMPI-2 scales (RCd, RC7, NEGE) indicated significant emotional dysfunctions in over half the sample.

Conclusions:

• NPS use, especially in polydrug users, is associated with psychological trauma and emotion regulation deficits.
• Specific MMPI-2 scales for emotional dysfunction were not uniquely linked to particular NPS types.
• These findings highlight the complexity of NPS use and its underlying psychological factors.