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The ‘G’ men: a profile of GBL/GHB users in an area of high drug-related mortality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2014

S. Durgahee ,
G. Allen  and
H. Williams
S. Durgahee
Affiliation:
Substance Misuse Service, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
G. Allen
Affiliation:
Substance Misuse Service, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
H. Williams*
Affiliation:
Substance Misuse Service, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: H. Williams, Substance Misuse Service, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, 26 Ditchling Road, Brighton BN1 4SF, UK. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Objectives

Gamma-butyrolactone/gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GBL/GHB) and related analogues are increasingly misused. The study reports on patient characteristics, nature and pattern of use, complications and comorbidity for a cohort of patients presenting to a large Substance Misuse Service in Brighton and Hove City.

Method

A retrospective case-note review of routinely collected clinical data on patients with primary GBL/GHB misuse.

Results

In all, 24 individuals were male and 3 female, with a mean age of 34 years. A total of 21 males identified themselves as gay and 1 female as bisexual. Just over half (15, 56%), respectively, were living in stable accommodation and were in employment or third-level education. In all, 22 (81%) met criteria for physical dependence and two-thirds (18, 67%) had experienced overdose. The group was using large amounts of GBL (mean 53 ml/day) with a significant number (25, 93%) using ‘around the clock’ (every 1–3 hours). Over one-third (10, 37%) had a diagnosis of HIV and with 24 (89%) having a presumptive diagnosis of anxiety disorder.

Conclusions

A profile of gay men with relatively stable lifestyles, but nevertheless with a high rate of complication of GBL/GHB use and with a significant comorbidity (HIV and psychological problems) was identified. The need for integrated specialist services and the importance of liaison with Emergency Departments and HIV services is highlighted.

Keywords

Club drugsemergency departmentgamma-butyrolactonegamma-hydroxybutyrateHIVnovel psychoactive substancesoverdose
Type
Short Report
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 31 , Issue 4 , December 2014 , pp. 275 - 280
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2014 

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