Simultaneous use of Mephedrone and Alcohol: A Qualitative Study of Users’ Experiences

O’Neill, Christina

doi:10.4172/2155-6105.s9-001

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Most recreational drug use occurs in leisure environments, where alcoholic drinks are omnipresent, so most cathinone consumers combine them with it (O'Neill and McElrath 2012) and interaction between drugs and alcohol may occur. In fact, the effects of the combination of another popular amphetamine derivative, 3,4methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), with alcohol were broadly studied by the group of Cassel, Jones and colleagues (see Mohamed et al 2009 for a review),…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of the combination of mephedrone plus ethanol on serotonin and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex of awake rats

López-Arnau

Buenrostro-Jáuregui

Camarasa

et al. 2018

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol

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Cathinones, such as mephedrone (Meph), are often co-abused with alcoholic drinks. In the present study, we investigated the combined effects of Meph plus ethanol (EtOH) on neurotransmitter release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). A guide canula was stereotaxically implanted into either the NAc or the mPFC of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Seven days after surgery, a microdialysis probe was inserted and rats were administered saline, EtOH (1 g/kg, i.p.), Meph (25 mg/kg, s.c.), or their combination, and dialysates were collected. Serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and their metabolites (5-HIAA, DOPAC and HVA) were determined through high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. 5-HT and DA peaked 40 min after Meph administration (with or without EtOH co-treatment) in both areas. EtOH combined with Meph increased the 5-HT release compared with the rats receiving Meph alone (85% in NAc, 65% in mPFC), although the overall change in the area under the curve only reached statistical significance in the NAc. In mPFC, the increased release of 5-HT lasted longer in the combination than that in the Meph group. Moreover, EtOH potentiated the psychostimulant effect of Meph measured as a locomotor activity. Given that both 5-HT and DA are also related with reward and impulsivity, the observed effects point to an increased risk of abuse liability when combining Meph with EtOH compared with consuming these drugs alone.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of the combination of mephedrone plus ethanol on serotonin and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex of awake rats

López-Arnau

Buenrostro-Jáuregui

Camarasa

et al. 2018

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol

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“…The majority of mephedrone users frequently combine mephedrone with other drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis and ketamine (Deluca et al, 2012; Psychonaut WebMapping Research Group, 2009). Online surveys conducted among mephedrone users indicate simultaneous mephedrone and alcohol consumption on a regular basis (Carhart-Harris et al, 2011; O’Neill and McElrath, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurocognitive performance following acute mephedrone administration, with and without alcohol

et al. 2016

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Recreational use of mephedrone, alone and in combination with alcohol, has increased over the past years. Pharmacological properties of mephedrone share similarities with methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), but its effect on neurocognitive function has not been well established in humans. The present study assessed the effect of mephedrone alone and after co-administration with alcohol on neurocognitive function. It was hypothesised that mephedrone would improve psychomotor performance but impair memory performance, when administered alone. Neurocognitive performance was expected to be impaired following mephedrone when combined with alcohol. Eleven participants received single doses of 200 mg mephedrone or placebo combined with 0.8 g/kg alcohol or placebo. Neurocognitive performance was assessed at baseline (T), at one hour (T) and four hours after (T) mephedrone administration, by means of the Divided Attention Task (DAT), Critical Tracking Task (CTT), and the Spatial Memory Test (SMT). Mephedrone intoxication impaired short-term spatial memory at T and improved critical tracking performance at T Mephedrone alone did not affect divided attention, but did show an interaction with alcohol on reaction time at T Reaction time decreased when mephedrone was combined with alcohol as compared to alcohol alone. Alcohol intoxication impaired both short- and long-term spatial memory at T and divided attention at T and T Critical tracking performance was not affected by alcohol intoxication. The current findings support the hypothesis that mephedrone improves psychomotor performance, impairs spatial memory and does not affect divided attention performance. Stimulatory effects of mephedrone were not sufficient to compensate for the impairing effects of alcohol on most performance parameters.

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“…Combining alcohol and mephedrone is very common (Ciudad‐Roberts, Duart‐Castells, Camarasa, Pubill, & Escubedo, ). O'Neill and McElrath () reported the preference of alcohol bingeing before the ingestion of mephedrone by party goers, whereas “sippers” preferred sipping alcohol while ingesting mephedrone. In contrast, “remedy makers” preferred using alcohol following the ingestion of mephedrone to reverse its side‐effects.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intended and unintended use of cathinone mixtures

Guirguis

Corkery

Stair

et al. 2017

Human Psychopharmacology

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Introduction Cathinones are one of the most popular categories of new psychoactive substances (NPS) consumed. Cathinones have different pharmacological activities and receptor selectivity for monoamine transporters based on their chemical structures. They are incorporated into NPS mixtures and used with other NPS or ‘traditional’ drugs. Cathinone use represents significant health risks to individuals and is a public health burden. Methods Evidence of poly‐NPS use with cathinones, seizure information, and literature analyses results on NPS mixtures was systematically gathered from online database sources, including Google Scholar, Scopus, Bluelight, and Drugs‐Forum. Results and discussion Results highlight the prevalence of NPS with low purity, incorporation of cathinones into NPS mixtures since 2008, and multiple members of the cathinone family being present in individual UK‐seized samples. Cathinones were identified as adulterants in NPS marketed as being pure NPS, drugs of abuse, branded products, herbal blends, and products labelled “not for human consumption.” Toxicity resulting from cathinone mixtures is unpredictable because key attributes remain largely unknown. Symptoms of intoxication include neuro‐psychological, psychiatric, and metabolic symptoms. Proposed treatment includes holistic approaches involving psychosocial, psychiatric and pharmacological interventions. Conclusion Raising awareness of NPS, education, and training of health care professionals are paramount in reducing harms related to cathinone use.

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Simultaneous use of Mephedrone and Alcohol: A Qualitative Study of Users’ Experiences

Cited by 10 publications

References 55 publications

Effect of the combination of mephedrone plus ethanol on serotonin and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex of awake rats

Effect of the combination of mephedrone plus ethanol on serotonin and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex of awake rats

Neurocognitive performance following acute mephedrone administration, with and without alcohol

Intended and unintended use of cathinone mixtures

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