Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39794781›Full record

ArticleHarm reduction journal2025

Mind the G(ap): bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment.

Antonia Bendau, Lukas Roediger, Andrea Piest, Rüdiger Schmolke, Katharin Ahrend, Moritz Bruno Petzold, Twyla Michnevich, Felix Betzler

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Harm reduction journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Observational
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Antonia Bendau *Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany. antonia.bendau@charite.de.ORCID 0000-0002-3789-6205
Lukas Roediger *Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-1179-6054
Andrea PiestNotdienst Berlin e.V, Berlin, Germany.
Rüdiger SchmolkeNotdienst Berlin e.V, Berlin, Germany.
Katharin AhrendClubcommission - Netzwerk der Berliner Clubkultur e.V., Berlin, Germany.
Moritz Bruno PetzoldDepartment of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-7801-1434
Twyla Michnevich *Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-8253-1996
Felix Betzler *Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-1389-4870

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BD) have become a significant concern due to the increase in their recreational use and the high risks associated with it (e.g., overdose, addiction, life-threatening withdrawal syndromes). However, targeted prevention and treatment strategies are lacking, and little is known about the specific needs of users regarding supportive approaches.

methodsTo address this gap, a mixed-methods longitudinal study was conducted with two waves of online data collection (11/2022-01/2023; 11/2023-01/2024) in Germany. The adult convenience sample (N = 2,196, with n = 240 participating in the follow-up) was mostly connected to Berlin's nightlife scene and included GHB/GBL/BD users and their (non-user) social environment. Perceptions and needs regarding prevention and harm-reduction, reasons and measures of decreasing use, and the impact of GHB/GBL/BD use were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively.

resultsEducation, harm reduction strategies, and specialized support options were welcomed by users and non-users, while restrictive approaches were viewed negatively, particularly by heavy users. Many participants expressed a desire to reduce GHB/GBL/BD use, driven primarily by health concerns, immediate use risks, and addiction, but only few participants had previously accessed preventive/therapeutic services. The follow-up showed little change in perceptions and experiences over time.

conclusionsThe findings underscore the need for comprehensive and integrative prevention and treatment strategies for GHB/GBL/BD use, with harm reduction approaches prioritized over restrictions. They provide a crucial foundation for future research and interventions and emphasize the necessity of adequately addressing the growing issues related to GHB/GBL/BD use.

trial registrationThe study protocol was pre-registered with the German registry for clinical studies (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien; drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00030608) on October 28, 2022.

Indexed as

4-ButyrolactoneButylene GlycolsRecreational Drug UseSocial EnvironmentSodium OxybateSubstance-Related DisordersAdultFemaleGermanyHarm ReductionHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedYoung Adult1,4-butanediol4-ButyrolactoneButylene GlycolsSodium OxybateAddictionDrugsGamma-butyrolactoneGamma-hydroxybutyric acidGBLGHBHarm reductionPsychoactive substanceSubstance use

Identifiers

PMID39794781
PMCPMC11720957

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.