"Bath salt" use among a nationally representative sample of high school seniors in the United States

Am J Addict. 2015 Sep;24(6):488-91. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12254. Epub 2015 Jul 14.

Abstract

Background and objectives: "Bath salts" are new drugs which have received extensive media attention. However, national studies in the U.S. have not investigated prevalence or correlates of use.

Methods: Data were examined from Monitoring the Future, a representative sample of U.S. high school seniors (2012-2013, N = 8,604).

Results: Only 1.1% of high school seniors used "bath salts" in the last year and the strongest correlate of use was use of other drugs.

Discussion and conclusions: "Bath salt" use is not very prevalent, but users of other drugs are at highest risk for use.

Scientific significance: We must continue to monitor new drugs in order to inform prevention and quickly detect potential epidemics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Designer Drugs*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Schools*
  • Students / psychology
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Designer Drugs