Treatment Seeking Nitrous Oxide Users in Addiction Care: A Comparison with Cocaine Users on Clinical and Treatment Characteristics.

Introduction: Over the past decade, frequent use of large quantities of nitrous oxide (N2O) has become more common in the Netherlands. Although N2O poses several negative health consequences for a subgroup of problematic N2O users, there is a lack of knowledge on what characterizes these intensive users. This study therefore aims to provide the demographic and substance use characteristics and experiences during treatment of treatment seeking problematic N2O users and to compare this with a matched group of treatment-seeking problematic cocaine users.

Triangulating Amsterdam's illicit stimulant use trends by wastewater analysis and recreational drug use monitoring.

Drug consumption estimates are of relevance because of public health effects as well as associated criminal activities. Wastewater analysis of drug residues enables the estimation of drug consumption and drug markets. Short-term and long-term trends of cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamine (speed) and methamphetamine (crystal meth), were studied for the city of Amsterdam.

Increasing recreational nitrous oxide use: Should we worry? A narrative review.

Background: Since 2000, the prevalence of recreational nitrous oxide (NO) use has increased in the Western world. Although NO is a relatively safe drug, the overall increase in the use of NO has concomitantly also initiated a modest but important increase in the number of young excessive users. The recent introduction of large 2 kg NO tanks, allowing high and prolonged dosing, has facilitated this excessive use.

[The development of a rational national MDMA policy and its relevance for psychiatry].

Background: MDMA (ecstasy) is a relatively safe drug and induces little dependence, but is nevertheless scheduled as a hard drug (Dutch Opium Act, List 1). Concerns about MDMA-related crime, health incidents and possible inappropriate listing of MDMA on List I have led to an ongoing debate about current Dutch ecstasy policy.

Aim: To develop a rational MDMA policy that takes into account all aspects related to production, sale and use of MDMA.