Clinical Characteristics of Health Professions Students with Nitrous Oxide Use Disorder

Recreational use and misuse of nitrous oxide (N₂O) have increased in recent years among young people. The objective of present study was to assess the frequency and the clinical characteristics of N₂O use disorder (NUD) in a sample of health professions students. An online survey was distributed to health professions students. Age; sex; frequency (day/week/month/year/lifetime) of N₂O use, DSM-5 criteria for NUD; history of mental health treatment; and current use of antidepressant medication were systematically collected. All participants completed the French version of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST). A total of 2067 students (mean age 21.7 ± 2.6 years, 74.9% female) completed the survey. A total of 38.2% (n = 790) reported lifetime N₂O use. Among the 6.6% (n = 137) who fulfilled the DSM-5 criteria for current NUD, 5.5% (n = 114) had mild disorder, 0.8% (n = 16) had moderate disorder (n = 16) and 0.3% (n = 7) had severe disorder. Participants with NUD more frequently reported AUDIT scores > 12 (suggesting alcohol dependence), blackouts, a history of mental health treatment, and current use of antidepressants than did those without NUD. Longitudinal studies using structured interviews are needed to investigate potential associations between NUD and alcohol use disorders or psychiatric disorders in the general population.