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Abuse and Effects of Salvia divinorum in a Sample of Patients Hospitalized for Substance Dependence

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Abstract

The study goal is to document the prevalence of salvia use among patients admitted for detoxification of other illicit drug use and to determine its effect. This cross-sectional study included 47 heavy drug users who were admitted for detoxification of other illicit drug abuse at a psychiatric hospital in Lebanon. The prevalence of salvia use was 66%. The salvia effect started and dissipated rapidly (15 min). No significant difference was found between salvia and non-salvia users in terms of affect, cognition and somaesthesia subscales of the Hallucinogen Rating Scale. Ratings of intensity and volition subscales were higher in non-salvia users than salvia users, while perception score was higher in users. Salvia use was correlated with perceptual alteration and hallucinogenic effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, 60096, Jal Eddib, Lebanon

    Antoine Karam, Souheil Hallit, Georges Haddad, Dory Hachem & Francois Kazour

  2. Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University, Jounieh, Lebanon

    Antoine Karam, Souheil Hallit & Georges Haddad

  3. Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Aida Said & Chafika Assaad

  4. Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Souheil Hallit

  5. Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Souheil Hallit

  6. Occupational Health Environment Research Team, U1219 BPH Bordeaux Population Health Research Center Inserm - University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

    Souheil Hallit

  7. INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Sante Publique, Epidemiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Faculty of Public Health,, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Souheil Hallit & Francois Kazour

  8. Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Francois Kazour

  9. INSERM U930, équipe 4 “Troubles affectifs”, Université François-Rabelais de Tours, Parc de Grandmont, 37200, Tours, France

    Francois Kazour

Authors
  1. Antoine Karam
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  2. Aida Said
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  3. Chafika Assaad
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  4. Souheil Hallit
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  5. Georges Haddad
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  6. Dory Hachem
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  7. Francois Kazour
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Correspondence to Francois Kazour.

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Karam, A., Said, A., Assaad, C. et al. Abuse and Effects of Salvia divinorum in a Sample of Patients Hospitalized for Substance Dependence. Community Ment Health J 55, 702–708 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-018-0347-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-018-0347-4

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