title: Consumption of new psychoactive substances in a Spanish sample of research chemical users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To know the pattern of use of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in a Spanish sample of research chemical (RC) users and to deepen the RC user profile and risk reduction strategies employed.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a cross-sectional survey by means of a specific questionnaire. Recruitment was carried out at music festivals, at non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and through announcements on an online forum. Two RC user profiles were defined, according to whether they search information through online forums.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 230 users participated. The most frequent RCs were hallucinogenic phenethylamines (2C-B 80.0%, 2C-I 39.6%) and cathinones (methylone 40.1%, mephedrone 35.2%). The most frequent combination of RC with other illegal drugs was with cannabis (68.6%) and 2C-B with MDMA (28.3%). Subjects who are consulting drug forums (group 1) use more RC, obtain RC by Internet, and use more frequently risk prevention strategies. Regarding the risk-reduction strategies in this group, users sought information concerning RC before consuming them (100%), used precision scales to calculate dosage (72.3%), and analyzed the contents before consumption (68.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a specific RC user profile with extensive knowledge and consumption of substances, using different strategies to reduce risks associated to its consumption.
authors.affiliation: Human Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences Unit and Drug Addiction Unit, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, INAD-Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut MAR, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Débora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Mireia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caudevilla
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torrens
authors.forename: Magi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: 2C-B; consumption patterns; new psychoactive substances; research chemicals