Concurrent Polysubstance Use Profiles in Young Nightlife Attendees in Argentina: Harm Reduction Strategies and Their Impact on Negative Consequences.

BACKGROUND

Polysubstance use is common in nightlife settings and has been linked to a variety of negative outcomes. Harm reduction strategies (HRS), which aim to reduce harms, may differ across consumption patterns. This paper identifies polysubstance use classes among young attendees of recreational settings, examines their HRS use, and explores associations with negative outcomes by use pattern.

METHODS

596 Argentinean polysubstance users aged 18-35 who attended recreational settings completed a survey assessing substance use, HRS use, and consequences experienced. Latent Class Analysis identified polysubstance use patterns. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to assess associations between HRS use and the experimentation of negative consequences within classes.

RESULTS

Three classes of concurrent polysubstance use were identified: Low, Moderate, and Severe. Participants in the Moderate and Severe Polysubstance Use classes employed a greater number of HRS but also experienced psychological and social negative consequences more frequently. Within the different polysubstance use classes, significant association between the use of certain harm reduction strategies and a lower likelihood of reporting substance-related harms was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study enhances understanding of the relationship between HRS and substance-related consequences across polysubstance use profiles. This should inform harm reduction messages for young people who use multiple drugs.