Managing misuse of novel psychoactive substances

Solomon, David

David Solomon is nurse independent prescriber in addictions/ substance misuse; Pardeep Grewal is consultant psychiatrist and lead consultant in addiction medicine, both at Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust; Chloe Taylor is a medical student at University College London medical school; Bernadette Solomon is a mental health lecturer at Waiariki Institute of Technology and nurse educator at Lakes District Health Board, Rotorua, New Zealand.

•This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

Nursing Times 110(22):p 12-15, May 28, 2014.

Abstract

Solomon D et al (2014) Managing misuse of novel psychoactive substances. Nursing Times; 110: 22, 12-15. Misuse of novel psychoactive substances, also known as legal highs, is growing in the UK. These substances include more than 200 psychoactive chemicals and are associated with harm to physical and mental health, but are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or regulated as a medicine.

This article reviews the evidence relating to psychosocial interventions for illegal substance misuse to identify how therapies could improve rates of abstinence and awareness in adults who are misusing novel psychoactive substances. The evidence is limited and there is a need for further research and increased awareness among health professionals and the general population of this growing problem.

Health professionals need to be aware of emerging novel psychoactive substances as their use is increasing, particularly among younger people

In this article…

> Why health professionals need to be aware of novel psychoactive use

> Psychosocial interventions for the management of novel psychoactive substance misuse

> Implications for health professionals