• • To describe personality characteristics in personality disorders (PDs) patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) comorbidity.

• • Data on demographic, family, and clinical factors were gathered among subjects admitted to our dual diagnosis unit who met DSM-IV criteria for PDs and had comorbidity with SUDs.

• • To explore the psychometric characteristics we used the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R).

• • Overall, 32 subjects were assessed (72% males; mean age 38,4±7,3). Mean length of admission was 17,6 ± 7,5 days. Suicide attempt/ideation (50%) and behaviour disruption (19%) were main symptoms at admittance. Main drugs were alcohol (59,4%) and cocaine (15,6%); 24% had polydrug dependence (3 or more SUDs).

• • TCI results showed a profile characterized by low self-directness (78,1%), low cooperativeness (46,9%) and high novelty seeking (31,3%).

• • Sedative SUDs group (including alcohol, cannabis, and benzodiacepines SUDs) showed higher scores in asthenia (70,6 ± 2 vs. 57,52 ± 3,2; p=0,002), and locus of control (44,8 ± 4,1 vs. 31,4 ± 32,6; p=0,039) than stimulant SUDs group (including cocaine and amphetamine-like SUDs).

• • Polydrug dependence group had higher scores in spiritual acceptance (63,6 ± 4,2 vs. 49,9 ± 2; p=0,003).

• • The older group (38 thru highest) had higher scores in cooperativeness (44,8 ±3,2 vs. 35,7 ± 3,1; p=0,05) and compassion (47,9 ± 3,7 vs. 36,2 ± 3,8; p=0,03).

• • We found a profile characterized by low scores in self-directness and cooperativeness as seen in previous surveys.

• • The older patients seems attenuate some maladaptative personality characteristics.

Early onset of substances use disorders (SUD) has been related to some personality characteristics and a higher prevalence of social, psychiatric and organic problems.

To describe personality differences in early onset of alcohol use (EO, age≤ 15) subjects and late onset of alcohol use (LO, age≥16), both affected of acute non-substance use psychiatric disorders (Non-SUD) and alcohol related substance use disorders (alcohol SUD).

Data on sociodemographic and clinical factors were gathered among subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria of alcohol SUD. Psychometric characteristics were explored with TCI-R.

The whole sample (N = 188; age 36,8 ± 9,2; 71,4% male) showed mainly hallucinations/delusions (37,7%) at admittance and personality disorders (50,3%) as a most prevalent non-SUD. Most common comorbid SUD were alcohol (59,5%).

EO subjects (N = 103) had more prevalence of legal problems (51,4% vs. 15,9%), sedatives misuse (73,8% vs. 54,1%), polydrug abuse (2 ± 1,1 vs. 1,6 ± 1,0) and higher score in ASI psychopathology (5,8 ± 1,3 vs. 4,8 ± 1,8). Most frequent dual diagnosis in EO subjects were psychosis+cannabis SUD (8,7%).

EO group was characterized by higher impulsiveness (102,9 ± 16,4 vs 97,0 ± 14,5), disorderliness (127,6 ± 19,2 vs. 117,4 ± 21,7), harm avoidance (30,7 ± 4,9 vs. 28 ± 7,6), eagerness of effort (34,7 ± 7,5 vs. 31,6 ± 8,0), ambitious (19,2 ± 4,6 vs. 17,9 ± 3,1), perfectionist (29,8 ± 5,9 vs. 27,8 ± 6,2), responsibility (30,5 ± 6,9 vs. 27,9 ± 7,7), resourcefulness (25,9 ± 6,3 vs. 23,2 ± 6,8), enlightened second nature (17,7 ± 3,9 vs. 13,9 ± 4,6), social acceptance (32,0 ± 5,8 vs. 29,4 ± 7,1) and lower anticipatory worry (71,7 ± 18,5 vs. 79,8 ± 17,9), dependence (54,5 ± 12,4 vs. 59,2 ± 14,9).

EO was characterized by higher scores in impulsiveness, disorderliness, and self-directedness and showed more severity on social, psychopathologic and substance problems.

Substance-induced psychoses (SIP) are associated with greater conjugal ties, greater substance dependence, homelessness, parental substance abuse, poorer family support and visual hallucinations, while primary psychotic disorders (PP) have greater symptom severity.

To describe differential characteristics between PP and SIP in a dual diagnosis unit.

We collected sociodemographic, employment data, admission reasons, family substance abuse and main drug of abuse.

• • 23 patients were admitted with psychosis (87% males; mean age 35,6±10,1). Two groups were performed: PP (N=12) and SIP (N=11).

• • Mean length of admission was 17,78±13,17 days. Most prevalent co-occurrent diagnoses were psychotic disorders-cocaine use disorders (43,5%).

• • The only significant difference between PP and SIP was shorter length of admission in SIP (days: mean [s.d]) (26,6±14,9 vs. 13,8±7,5; p< 0.05). Other variables studied were: (1) main reasons for admission: hallucinations/delusions (33,3% vs. 90,9%), suicide ideation (33,3% vs. 0%); (2) main drug of abuse: cocaine (50% vs. 45,5%), alcohol (33,3% vs. 0%), psychoestimulants (0% vs. 27,3%), cannabis (8,3% vs. 18,2%); (3) marital status: married/cohabiting (25% vs. 36,4%), divorced (16,7% vs. 0%), single (58,3% vs. 63,6%); (4) employment: employed (33,3% vs. 50%) and unemployed (66,7% vs. 50%); (5) age, years: mean (s.d): 37,8 (10,6) vs 33,2 (9,5); (6) parental substance abuse (65,7% vs. 83,3%).

• • No significant differences were found between both groups (PP vs. SIP) except for shorter length of admission in SIP.

• • The most frequent co-ocurrent diagnosis was psychotic disorder+cocaine use disorder.

Substance-induced psychoses (SIP) are associated with greater conjugal ties, greater substance dependence, homelessness, parental substance abuse, poorer family support and visual hallucinations, while primary psychotic disorders (PP) have greater symptom severity.

To describe differential characteristics between PP and SIP in a dual diagnosis unit.

We collected sociodemographic, employment data, admission reasons, family substance abuse and main drug of abuse.

• • 23 patients were admitted with psychosis (87% males; mean age 35,6±10,1). Two groups were performed: PP (N=12) and SIP (N=11).

• • Mean length of admission was 17,78±13,17 days. Most prevalent co-occurrent diagnoses were psychotic disorders-cocaine use disorders (43,5%).

• • The only significant difference between PP and SIP was shorter length of admission in SIP (days: mean [s.d]) (26,6±14,9 vs. 13,8±7,5; p< 0.05). Other variables studied were: (1) main reasons for admission: hallucinations/delusions (33,3% vs. 90,9%), suicide ideation (33,3% vs. 0%); (2) main drug of abuse: cocaine (50% vs. 45,5%), alcohol (33,3% vs. 0%), psychoestimulants (0% vs. 27,3%), cannabis (8,3% vs. 18,2%); (3) marital status: married/cohabiting (25% vs. 36,4%), divorced (16,7% vs. 0%), single (58,3% vs. 63,6%); (4) employment: employed (33,3% vs. 50%) and unemployed (66,7% vs. 50%); (5) age, years: mean (s.d): 37,8 (10,6) vs 33,2 (9,5); (6) parental substance abuse (65,7% vs. 83,3%).

• • No significant differences were found between both groups (PP vs. SIP) except for shorter length of admission in SIP.

• • The most frequent co-ocurrent diagnosis was psychotic disorder+cocaine use disorder.

The trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl) labelled as U-47700 has a high affinity with the selective receptor, considered to have 7.5 times the binding affinity of morphine; as a result, it is sold as a recreational drug because of its analgesic and euphoric effects. Several toxicity cases and some fatalities have been reported during 2016.

To describe the presence of trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl) in samples delivered to Energy Control during 2016 in Barcelona.

From January 2016 to October 2016, 4031 samples were delivered and only those samples containing trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl) were studied, 6 of them were analysed as U-47700 (0.148%). Samples were analysed by energy control, a Spanish harm-reduction NGO that offers users the possibility of analysing the substances they intend to consume. Analysis was done by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

From the 6 samples that were analysed as trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine) cyclohexyl), the presentation of 4 of them was white powder and the rest were not described. The procedence of the samples was Canada (2), USA (1), Sweden (1), Holland (1) and the remaining sample was not described. All samples were received during 2016.

The use of trans-3;4-dichloro-N-(2-(dimethylamine)cyclohexyl) is progressively increasing in Barcelona. Its harmful effects are being reported in recent medical literature and consumption represents an emerging issue, gaining popularity among recreational opioid users. It is potentially lethal when mixed with depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines and overdose risk is higher compared to other opioids. This drug is not being detected by routine in medical test.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) appear to be increasing in popularity because they mimic the effect of traditional drugs. DOB is a world-wide controlled phenethylamine, with agonist activity in 5HT2A receptors. Its effects are comparable to those of LSD, with dosage range 1.0–3.0 mg and duration 18–30 h.

To assess the presence of DOB in the substances submitted to, and analyzed by, energy control.

All samples presented to Energy Control (EC) from August 2009 to August 2015 were analyzed. EC is a spanish harm-reduction non governmental organization that offers to users the possibility of analyzing the substances they intend to consume. Samples in which DOB was detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were selected for this study.

From a total of 20,062 samples, 13 contained DOB (0,06%), with no clear variations among the years studied. The samples were mostly sold as DOC(8), DOB(2) and LSD(2). Nine out of total 13 samples presented as blotter.

Results suggest that availability of DOB in the Spanish drug market is anecdotic. Nonetheless, a number of the samples containing DOB were not sold as such, increasing the possibility of side effects, as users may ignore which substance they are actually using. When a patient presents at an Emergency Department with persistent hallucinogenic symptomatology after ingesting a blotter, psychiatrist should be aware of long-lasting psychedelics such as DOB.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are substances that have recently appeared on the market and are not under international control. NPS use is experiencing an unprecedented increase. DiPT, 4-HO-DiPT and 4-AcO-DiPT are new psychoactive tryptamines and their effects may differ from those of other psychoactive tryptamines.

To explore the presence of DiPT, 4-HO-DiPT and 4-AcO-DiPT from samples delivered to and analyzed by Spanish harm reduction service Energy Control.

All samples analyzed from 2009 to 2014 delivered as DiPT, 4-HO-DiPT and 4-AcO-DPT or containing these substances. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

From 17,432 samples, 4-HO-DiPT was found in 16, delivered as 4-HO-DiPT (6); 4-AcO-DiPT (7); DiPT (1); 4-AcO-DMT (1) and cocaine (1). 4-AcO-DiPT was found in 16, delivered as 4-AcO-DiPT (12); 5-MeO-DMT (1); 5-MeO-DiPT (1); 4-AcO-DMT (1) and cocaine (1). Only 4 samples contained DiPT, all presented as DiPT. Nine samples contained both 4-AcO-DiPT and 4-HO-DiPT. During the years of study, 4-HO-DiPT deliverance was increasing (4 samples in 2014) while deliverance of 4-AcO-DiPT and DiPT was decreasing (1 sample in 2014).

Increasing 4-HO-DiPT presence could translate a progressive replacement of 4-AcO-DiPT and DiPT recreational use. Clinical relevance comes from its growing use and the absence of scientific evidence on humans, therefore relying on users subjective experience to predict the effects.

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

New designer benzodiazepines such as phenazepam, etizolam, diclazepam, clonazolam and flubromazolam have appeared in the recreational drug market due to that they provide an attractive alternative to prescription-only benzodiazepines as they are readily available over the Internet.

To describe the presence of new designer benzodiazepines in samples delivered to energy control since 2010 to 2016 in Barcelona.

From 2010 to 2016, 24,551 samples were delivered to energy control. Among this samples 43 (0.175%) were analysed as benzodiazepines. They were analyzed by energy control, a Spanish harm reduction NGO that offers the possibility of analyzing the substances that users report. Analysis was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

From the 43 samples analyzed as benzodiazepines, 1 (2.32%) was delivered in 2010, none in 2011, 2 (4.65%) in 2012, 2 (4.65%) in 2013, 1 (2.32%) in 2014, 15 (34.88%) in 2015 and 21 (48.83%) in 2016.

The data shows that new designer benzodiazepines use is increasing in Barcelona, especially in the last two years. Abuse an addiction to these drugs may be a new public health problem in Barcelona. Unknown side effects may appear due to lack of information about pharmacokinetic profile of these drugs.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Methylphenidate is a CNS stimulant approved for treatment of ADHD. It is generally considered well tolerated and exhibiting low dependence potential, although diversion for recreational use has been described. Provided that its effects are comparable to those of more popular drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and amphetamines, we hypothesized that it could be sold as such.

The aim of this study was:

– to describe the presence of methylphenidate from the samples handled to, and analyzed by, Spanish harm-reduction service energy control between August 2009 and August 2015;

– to determine whether it is being sold as other drugs.

All samples presented to energy control (EC) were analyzed. EC is a Spanish harm-reduction non-governmental organization that offers to users the possibility of analyzing the substances they intend to consume.

Samples in which methylphenidate was detected using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry were selected for this study.

From a total of 20062 samples, 17 contained methylphenidate (0,09%), with no clear variations among the years studied. The samples were mostly sold as amphetamine (29%), methylphenidate (23%) and ethylphenidate (18%).

Presence of Methylphenidate in the Spanish illegal drug market seems anecdotic and stable over the studied timeframe. Moreover, it was sold as substances with similar dosages, lowering potential for life-threatening intoxications. Therefore, our results suggest that diversion of methylphenidate into the drug market as adulterant is not a concerning phenomenon.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Describe the distinguishing characteristics between patients with early onset of alcohol use (EARLY, age < 15) and late onset of alcohol use (LATE, age > 16), both affected of acute non-substance use psychiatric disorders (non-SUD) and any substance use disorder admitted in a dual diagnosis unit.

Data on demographic, family, and clinical factors were gathered among subjects admitted to our dual diagnosis unit along three years, all of them meeting DSM-IV criteria of any non-substance related Axis I or II disorder and comorbid substance use disorder (SUD). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS program.

We show results of 748 patients (437 of EARLY group and 311 of LATE group). Predominantly male (73,53%) with a mean age of 39,60 ± 9,7 years. Most prevalent non-SUD psychiatric disorders were psychotic disorder (39,97%) and personality disorder (39,30%). In our sample, most common substances of abuse were Alcohol (45,05%) and Cocaine (30,35%). EARLY patients had an earlier first contact all substances as well as an earlier age of problematic consumption of cocaine, alcohol, opioids and nicotine; they also had major prevalence of opioid SUD, sedatives SUD and amphetamines SUD (see Tables 1, 2 and 3).

Patients who began earlier their consumptions of alcohol had major prevalence of opioid, sedatives and amphetamine use. They also had earlier consumptions of other substances and earlier problematic consumptions of cocaine, alcohol, opioids and nicotine, what probably means greater severity of drug addiction in the long run.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.