A Descriptive Study of Hallucinogen and Inhalant Detoxification Admissions From 2006 to 2022.

BACKGROUND

Detoxification is often identified as treating drug withdrawal. All drug classes except hallucinogens and inhalants include withdrawal as diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder diagnosis. This descriptive study provides an analysis of detoxification admissions for individuals with hallucinogens or inhalants as their primary substance.

OBJECTIVES

This research aimed to explore the characteristics of these detoxification admissions, focusing on demographics, substance use patterns, and treatment characteristics.

DESIGN

This retrospective study used annual cross-sectional data.

METHODS

Using the Treatment Episode Dataset Admissions 2006 to 2022 file, data from 8919 detoxification admissions over a 17-year period from publicly funded treatment facilities in the United States were examined.

RESULTS

During the 17-year period, n = 6761 and n = 2158 detoxification treatment episode admissions had the primary substance hallucinogens and inhalants, respectively. Polysubstance use was prevalent among both samples, with 66% among the hallucinogen sample and 48% among the inhalant sample, with alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine/crack being the most commonly co-used substances. A total of 2872 cases were identified as only having hallucinogens and/or inhalants without other drug classes as reported substances during admission.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary findings highlight detoxification admissions among individuals with primary substances that do not meet diagnostic criteria for withdrawal. More research is needed to better understand the context of detoxification among individuals with hallucinogens or inhalants as their primary substance.