Cathinones Use in Paris

BACKGROUND:

The pattern of recreational drug use has changed over the last decade and now includes a multitude of substances sold as "research chemicals" or new psychoactive substances, "NPS". In France, synthetic cathinones emerged in 2008 (while first mentioned by the French police force in 2007 first alerts among users appeared in 2008) and have grown to be popular drugs of abuse. Under the Official Journal dated 11th June 2010, only mephedrone has been listed as narcotics but "designer drugs" have synthesized new substitute cathinones in order to avoid anti-drug laws. However, since July 2012, in France, all synthetic drugs from the cathinones family have been banned and listed as narcotics following the example of United Kingdom. Despite their recent classification and inclusion on narcotic list, they are readily available on Internet and used widely. Paris Addictovigilance Centre observed a signal of derivate cathinones abuse (21 cases over a two-year period).

OBJECTIVE:

Paris Addictovigilance Centre and Marmottan Hospital wanted to describe the use of cathinones in the Paris area and alert the health care community about the abuse identification and risk assessment problems of these compounds. After a review of derivated cathinone's chemical structure, pharmacology and toxicology, this article seeks to provide patricians with a clinical description and treatment's modality.

RESULTS:

Most users of synthetic cathinones will experience euphoria, increased energy, talkativeness, openness and increased sexual arousal. Signs and symptoms of toxicity are consistent with a sympathomimetic toxidrome. The main reasons for care access are psychiatric (hallucinations, psychotic symptoms, agitation) and addiction disorders. Somatic complications were described with various patterns of symptoms such as headache, tachycardia, confusional states, rhabdomyolysis with renal failure or serotonin syndrome. The most important fact is the apparition of the "slam" phenomenon among men who have sex with men (MSM). The "slam" is a compound of three characteristic elements: injection, sexual party and psychostimulant drug. According to users, "slam" is convenient for group sex and is used it to put them into a good mood and a disinhibition state. These compounds cause fast dependence syndrome with strong craving and prolonged psychiatric symptoms and increase infectious risk (HIV, VHC, VHB…). The cathinones family is not detected in conventional urine drug screenings. We point out the lack of confirmatory analytic testing data which remains the only way to determine the actual etiology of the clinical effects observed since drug users do not always know exactly what they took. These substances can be identified by special analyses using gas chromatography or liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy technology.

CONCLUSION:

This injection drug is used in order to increase sexual desire, delay orgasm and decrease sexual inhibition and is prevalent in many studies on MSM samples. Cathinones would popularize the "slam". Harm reduction policy requires specific MSM interventions on both sexual and drug addiction networks.

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By:  Batisse A1, Grégoire M2, Marillier M3, Fortias M3, Djezzar S3.

• 1CEIP-Addictovigilance, hôpital Fernand-Widal, 200, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris cedex 10, France. Electronic address: anne.batisse@lrb.aphp.fr.
• 2Centre Marmottan, 17-19, rue d'Armaillé, 75017 Paris, France. Electronic address: murielgreg@hotmail.com.
• 3CEIP-Addictovigilance, hôpital Fernand-Widal, 200, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris cedex 10, France. 
• Encephale. 2016 Feb 1. pii: S0013-7006(15)00163-3. doi: 10.1016/j.encep.2015.09.002. 

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Unprotected Intercourse and One-Night Stands: Impact of Sexual Excitation, Sexual Inhibition, and Atypical Sexual Arousal Patterns on Risky Sexual Behaviors in Women

Introduction

Associations among sexual excitation, sexual inhibition, atypical sexual arousal patterns, and risky sexual behaviors have been reported in studies involving men and women. To date, longitudinal studies have not evaluated the predictive value of these propensities for future sexual behaviors in women.

Aim

To investigate associations among sexual excitation, sexual inhibition, atypical sexual arousal patterns, and potentially risky sexual behaviors in women.

Methods

Overall, 2,214 women (mean age = 30.65 years, standard deviation = 9.91 years) participated in a baseline Web-based survey. The 1- and 2-year follow-up surveys included 396 and 382 participants, respectively. Correlational analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to analyze the relations between predictor and outcome variables.

Main Outcome Measures

Number of partners, number of one-time sexual encounters, and number of partners with whom no condoms were used during the 12-month periods before each of the three data assessment points.

Results

All five lower-order factors of sexual excitation showed positive correlations and all three lower-order factors of sexual inhibition showed negative correlations with outcomes at baseline and follow-up. Atypical sexual arousal patterns, the tendency to become aroused in unusual sexual situations, and the importance of relationship factors, such as trust, for sexual arousal were the strongest predictors for sexual behaviors at baseline. These variables also predicted the number of sexual partners and the number of one-night stands at follow-up.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that increased sexual arousal when experiencing negative mood might be a risk factor for potentially health-threatening sexual decisions and support the assumptions of the dual control model that sexual excitation is positively and sexual inhibition is negatively predictive of risky sexual behavior in women.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/m42bEY

By:  Julia Velten, DiplPsych, Saskia Scholten, DiplPsych, Cynthia A. Graham, PhD, Jürgen Margraf, PhD

Affiliations

Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany

Correspondence

Corresponding Author: Julia Velten, DiplPsych, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Massenbergstrasse 9-13, Bochum 44787, Germany

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Sexual Excitation & Sexual Inhibition as Predictors of Sexual Function in Women

To date no longitudinal studies have evaluated the predictive value of the two factors of the Dual Control Model-sexual excitation (SE) and sexual inhibition (SI)-for future sexual function. 

The aims of the present study were to investigate the associations between SE/SI and sexual function and estimate their predictive value for future sexual function in a sample of women. Overall, 2,214 women participated in a web-based survey that assessed SE, SI, and sexual function as well as symptoms of depression. The one and two-year follow-up surveys included 396 and 380 participants, respectively. Correlational analyses and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to analyze the relationships between predictor and outcome variables. 

Four factors of SE (Arousability, Partner Characteristics, Sexual Power Dynamics, and Setting) and two factors of SI (Concerns about Sexual Function and Arousal Contingency), as well as symptoms of depression and partnership status were significant predictors of concurrent and future sexual function. Several subscales of SE and SI contributed to the prediction of future sexual function above and beyond prior sexual function levels. 

Our study provides the first supportive evidence for the assumptions of the Dual Control Model that propensities for low SE and high SI influence future sexual function.

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By:  Velten J1, Scholten S1, Graham CA2, Margraf J1.

• 1 Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Bochum , Germany.
• 2 Department of Psychology , University of Southampton , Southampton , UK. 
• J Sex Marital Ther. 2016 Jan 6:0. 

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Nudity as a Disinhibiting Cue in a Date Rape Analogue

Situational factors likely play a role in date rape. The sexual inhibition hypothesis suggests that men are typically sexually inhibited by violence and non-consent, but that inhibition can also be disrupted. 

We attempted to determine if female nudity reduces inhibition of sexual arousal to non-consensual cues in sexually non-aggressive men. In two studies, heterosexual men (aged 18-25) were presented with six 2-min audiotaped narratives depicting consensual sexual interactions, non-consensual sexual interactions (rape), and non-sexual interactions (neutral) involving a man and a woman. In the first study, 20 participants saw pictures depicting nude or clothed women while listening to the stories. 

In the second study, 20 other participants saw videos depicting nude or clothed women exercising, also while listening to the stories. Genital responses and subjective sexual arousal were measured. 

Results suggested that nudity may have a disinhibitory effect on sexual arousal to non-consensual cues, but only when presented in the form of moving images.

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By:  Fairweather A1, Kingston DA2, Lalumière ML3.

• 1Department of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
• 2Integrated Forensic Program, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Brockville, ON, Canada.
• 3School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada. martin.lalumiere@uottawa.ca. 

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An Online Assessment of Personality, Psychological, and Sexuality Trait Variables Associated with Self-Reported Hypersexual Behavior

"Hypersexual" behavior represents a perceived inability to control one's sexual behavior. To investigate hypersexual behavior, an international sample of 510 self-identified heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men and women completed an anonymous online self-report questionnaire battery. 

In addition to age and sex (male), hypersexual behavior was related to higher scores on measures of sexual excitation, sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance failure, trait impulsivity, and both depressed mood and anxiety. 

In contrast, hypersexual behavior was related to lower scores on sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance consequences. Higher neuroticism and extraversion, as well as lower agreeableness and conscientiousness, also predicted hypersexual behavior. 

Interestingly, interactions among the variables assessed did not significantly predict hypersexual behavior, suggesting the possible existence of multiple and predominantly independent taxa for various persons reporting hypersexual behavior. Core personality features may also be present in persons with hypersexual behavior. 

Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

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By: Walton MT1, Cantor JM2, Lykins AD3.

• 1Discipline of Psychology, School of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
• 2Law and Mental Health Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
• 3Discipline of Psychology, School of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia. alykins@une.edu.au.

  

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Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) in a Sample of Lesbian and Bisexual Women

The Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) assesses propensities for sexual excitation (SE) and inhibition (SI). Previous research utilizing the SESII-W included samples comprised exclusively or almost entirely of heterosexual women. 

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the SESII-W and assess its relation to aspects of sexual function within a sample of lesbian and bisexual women. The sample included 974 self-identified bisexual (n = 733) or lesbian/homosexual (n = 241) women who completed an online survey including items assessing women's sexual behaviors, feelings, and functioning, sociodemographics, and the SESII-W. The sample was split; exploratory factor analyses were conducted on the first half, yielding eight lower-order factors with two higher-order factors. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the second half and suggested reasonable model fit. 

SI was positively correlated with sexual problems and negatively correlated with sexual pleasure; the correlations were significant but small. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between SESII-W scores and sexual problems/sexual pleasure, controlling for age, relationship duration, and relationship status. Four lower-order factors predicted reports of sexual problems. 

Findings indicated the SESII-W has similar psychometric properties among sexual minority women as it does among heterosexual women.

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By: Jozkowski KN1,2, Sanders SA2,3,4, Rhoads K1, Milhausen RR2,3,5, Graham CA2,3,6.

• 1Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation , University of Arkansas.
• 2The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University.
• 3Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention , Indiana University.
• 4Department of Gender Studies , Indiana University.
• 5Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition , University of Guelph.
• 6Department of Psychology , University of Southampton.  

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