Mind the G(ap)
- Background
Gamma-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.
Methods
To 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.
Results
Education, harmBackground
Gamma-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.
Methods
To 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.
Results
Education, 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.
Conclusions
The 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.…


| Verfasserangaben: | Antonia BendauORCiD, Lukas RoedigerORCiD, Andrea Piest, Rüdiger Schmolke, Katharin Ahrend, Moritz Bruno PetzoldORCiD, Twyla MichnevichORCiD, Felix Betzler |
|---|---|
| URN: | urn:nbn:de:kobv:525-35764 |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-025-01152-9 |
| ISSN: | 1477-7517 |
| Titel des übergeordneten Werkes (Englisch): | Harm Reduction Journal |
| Untertitel (Englisch): | Bridging prevention needs and approaches for GHB/GBL users and their social environment |
| Verlag: | BioMed Central |
| Verlagsort: | London |
| Dokumentart: | Wissenschaftlicher Artikel |
| Sprache: | Englisch |
| Jahr der Erstveröffentlichung: | 2025 |
| Veröffentlichende Institution: | Fachhochschule Potsdam |
| Datum der Freischaltung: | 16.01.2025 |
| GND-Schlagwort: | Drogenabhängigkeit; Hydroxybuttersäure <gamma->; Rauschgift; Schadensminimierung |
| Jahrgang: | 22 |
| Aufsatznummer: | 5 |
| Erste Seite: | 1 |
| Letzte Seite: | 16 |
| Fachbereiche und Zentrale Einrichtungen: | FB1 Sozial- und Bildungswissenschaften |
| DDC-Klassifikation: | 300 Sozialwissenschaften / 360 Soziale Probleme, Sozialdienste |
| Lizenz (Deutsch): | Creative Commons - CC BY - Namensnennung 4.0 International |

