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Addiction Science & Clinical Practice
Published in: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Review

Designer drugs 2015: assessment and management

Authors: Michael F Weaver, John A Hopper, Erik W Gunderson

Published in: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Recent designer drugs, also known as “legal highs,” include substituted cathinones (e.g., mephedrone, methylone, and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, often referred to as “bath salts”); synthetic cannabinoids (SCs; e.g., Spice); and synthetic hallucinogens (25I-NBOMe, or N-bomb). Compound availability has evolved rapidly to evade legal regulation and detection by routine drug testing. Young adults are the primary users, but trends are changing rapidly; use has become popular among members of the military. Acute toxicity is common and often manifests with a constellation of psychiatric and medical effects, which may be severe (e.g., anxiety, agitation, psychosis, and tachycardia), and multiple deaths have been reported with each of these types of designer drugs. Clinicians should keep designer drugs in mind when evaluating substance use in young adults or in anyone presenting with acute neuropsychiatric complaints. Treatment of acute intoxication involves supportive care targeting manifesting signs and symptoms. Long-term treatment of designer drug use disorder can be challenging and is complicated by a lack of evidence to guide treatment.
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Metadata
Title
Designer drugs 2015: assessment and management
Authors
Michael F Weaver
John A Hopper
Erik W Gunderson
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1940-0640
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-015-0024-7

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