Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment
Abstract Background Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BD) have become a significant concern due to the increase in their recreational use and the high risks associated with it (e.g., overdose, addiction, life-threatening withdrawal syndromes...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Harm Reduction Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01152-9 |
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| author | Antonia Bendau Lukas Roediger Andrea Piest Rüdiger Schmolke Katharin Ahrend Moritz Bruno Petzold Twyla Michnevich Felix Betzler |
| author_facet | Antonia Bendau Lukas Roediger Andrea Piest Rüdiger Schmolke Katharin Ahrend Moritz Bruno Petzold Twyla Michnevich Felix Betzler |
| author_sort | Antonia Bendau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BD) have become a significant concern due to the increase in their recreational use and the high risks associated with it (e.g., overdose, addiction, life-threatening withdrawal syndromes). However, targeted prevention and treatment strategies are lacking, and little is known about the specific needs of users regarding supportive approaches. Methods To address this gap, a mixed-methods longitudinal study was conducted with two waves of online data collection (11/2022–01/2023; 11/2023–01/2024) in Germany. The adult convenience sample (N = 2,196, with n = 240 participating in the follow-up) was mostly connected to Berlin’s nightlife scene and included GHB/GBL/BD users and their (non-user) social environment. Perceptions and needs regarding prevention and harm-reduction, reasons and measures of decreasing use, and the impact of GHB/GBL/BD use were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results Education, harm reduction strategies, and specialized support options were welcomed by users and non-users, while restrictive approaches were viewed negatively, particularly by heavy users. Many participants expressed a desire to reduce GHB/GBL/BD use, driven primarily by health concerns, immediate use risks, and addiction, but only few participants had previously accessed preventive/therapeutic services. The follow-up showed little change in perceptions and experiences over time. Conclusions The findings underscore the need for comprehensive and integrative prevention and treatment strategies for GHB/GBL/BD use, with harm reduction approaches prioritized over restrictions. They provide a crucial foundation for future research and interventions and emphasize the necessity of adequately addressing the growing issues related to GHB/GBL/BD use. Trial registration The study protocol was pre-registered with the German registry for clinical studies (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien; drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00030608) on October 28, 2022. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eb7fc3455f1e4da4ad0aa4aa666fa983 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1477-7517 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Harm Reduction Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-eb7fc3455f1e4da4ad0aa4aa666fa9832025-01-12T12:13:26ZengBMCHarm Reduction Journal1477-75172025-01-0122111610.1186/s12954-025-01152-9Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environmentAntonia Bendau0Lukas Roediger1Andrea Piest2Rüdiger Schmolke3Katharin Ahrend4Moritz Bruno Petzold5Twyla Michnevich6Felix Betzler7Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu BerlinDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu BerlinNotdienst Berlin e.VNotdienst Berlin e.VClubcommission – Netzwerk der Berliner Clubkultur e.V.Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School BerlinDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu BerlinDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu BerlinAbstract Background Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BD) have become a significant concern due to the increase in their recreational use and the high risks associated with it (e.g., overdose, addiction, life-threatening withdrawal syndromes). However, targeted prevention and treatment strategies are lacking, and little is known about the specific needs of users regarding supportive approaches. Methods To address this gap, a mixed-methods longitudinal study was conducted with two waves of online data collection (11/2022–01/2023; 11/2023–01/2024) in Germany. The adult convenience sample (N = 2,196, with n = 240 participating in the follow-up) was mostly connected to Berlin’s nightlife scene and included GHB/GBL/BD users and their (non-user) social environment. Perceptions and needs regarding prevention and harm-reduction, reasons and measures of decreasing use, and the impact of GHB/GBL/BD use were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results Education, harm reduction strategies, and specialized support options were welcomed by users and non-users, while restrictive approaches were viewed negatively, particularly by heavy users. Many participants expressed a desire to reduce GHB/GBL/BD use, driven primarily by health concerns, immediate use risks, and addiction, but only few participants had previously accessed preventive/therapeutic services. The follow-up showed little change in perceptions and experiences over time. Conclusions The findings underscore the need for comprehensive and integrative prevention and treatment strategies for GHB/GBL/BD use, with harm reduction approaches prioritized over restrictions. They provide a crucial foundation for future research and interventions and emphasize the necessity of adequately addressing the growing issues related to GHB/GBL/BD use. Trial registration The study protocol was pre-registered with the German registry for clinical studies (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien; drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00030608) on October 28, 2022.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01152-9Gamma-hydroxybutyric acidGamma-butyrolactoneGHBGBLSubstance useDrugs |
| spellingShingle | Antonia Bendau Lukas Roediger Andrea Piest Rüdiger Schmolke Katharin Ahrend Moritz Bruno Petzold Twyla Michnevich Felix Betzler Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment Harm Reduction Journal Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid Gamma-butyrolactone GHB GBL Substance use Drugs |
| title | Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment |
| title_full | Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment |
| title_fullStr | Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment |
| title_short | Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment |
| title_sort | mind the g ap bridging prevention needs and approaches for ghb gbl users and their social environment |
| topic | Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid Gamma-butyrolactone GHB GBL Substance use Drugs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01152-9 |
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