Problematic Use of Nitrous Oxide by Young Moroccan–Dutch Adults
The recreational use of nitrous oxide (N2O; laughing gas) has largely expanded in recent years. Although incidental use of nitrous oxide hardly causes any health damage, problematic or heavy use of nitrous oxide can lead to serious adverse effects. Amsterdam care centres noticed that Moroccan–Dutch...
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doaj-2728cbd546d1494c9f1b1b1c3b92d8342021-06-01T00:52:30ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1661-78271660-46012021-05-01185574557410.3390/ijerph18115574Problematic Use of Nitrous Oxide by Young Moroccan–Dutch AdultsTon Nabben0Jelmer Weijs1Jan van Amsterdam2Urban Governance & Social Innovation, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 2171, 1000 CD Amsterdam, The NetherlandsJellinek, Department High Care Detox, Vlaardingenlaan 5, 1059 GL Amsterdam, The NetherlandsAmsterdam University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The NetherlandsThe recreational use of nitrous oxide (N2O; laughing gas) has largely expanded in recent years. Although incidental use of nitrous oxide hardly causes any health damage, problematic or heavy use of nitrous oxide can lead to serious adverse effects. Amsterdam care centres noticed that Moroccan–Dutch young adults reported neurological symptoms, including severe paralysis, as a result of problematic nitrous oxide use. In this qualitative exploratory study, thirteen young adult Moroccan–Dutch excessive nitrous oxide users were interviewed. The determinants of problematic nitrous oxide use in this ethnic group are discussed, including their low treatment demand with respect to nitrous oxide abuse related medical–psychological problems. Motives for using nitrous oxide are to relieve boredom, to seek out relaxation with friends and to suppress psychosocial stress and negative thoughts. Other motives are depression, discrimination and conflict with friends or parents. The taboo culture surrounding substance use—mistrust, shame and macho culture—frustrates timely medical/psychological treatment of Moroccan–Dutch problematic nitrous oxide users. It is recommended to use influencers in media campaigns with the aim to decrease the risks of heavy nitrous oxide use and improve treatment access. Outreach youth workers can also play an important role in motivating socially isolated users to seek medical and or psychological help.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/11/5574laughing gasN2Oproblematic useMoroccan–DutchMuslimtreatment demand |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ton Nabben Jelmer Weijs Jan van Amsterdam |
spellingShingle |
Ton Nabben Jelmer Weijs Jan van Amsterdam Problematic Use of Nitrous Oxide by Young Moroccan–Dutch Adults International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health laughing gas N2O problematic use Moroccan–Dutch Muslim treatment demand |
author_facet |
Ton Nabben Jelmer Weijs Jan van Amsterdam |
author_sort |
Ton Nabben |
title |
Problematic Use of Nitrous Oxide by Young Moroccan–Dutch Adults |
title_short |
Problematic Use of Nitrous Oxide by Young Moroccan–Dutch Adults |
title_full |
Problematic Use of Nitrous Oxide by Young Moroccan–Dutch Adults |
title_fullStr |
Problematic Use of Nitrous Oxide by Young Moroccan–Dutch Adults |
title_full_unstemmed |
Problematic Use of Nitrous Oxide by Young Moroccan–Dutch Adults |
title_sort |
problematic use of nitrous oxide by young moroccan–dutch adults |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
issn |
1661-7827 1660-4601 |
publishDate |
2021-05-01 |
description |
The recreational use of nitrous oxide (N2O; laughing gas) has largely expanded in recent years. Although incidental use of nitrous oxide hardly causes any health damage, problematic or heavy use of nitrous oxide can lead to serious adverse effects. Amsterdam care centres noticed that Moroccan–Dutch young adults reported neurological symptoms, including severe paralysis, as a result of problematic nitrous oxide use. In this qualitative exploratory study, thirteen young adult Moroccan–Dutch excessive nitrous oxide users were interviewed. The determinants of problematic nitrous oxide use in this ethnic group are discussed, including their low treatment demand with respect to nitrous oxide abuse related medical–psychological problems. Motives for using nitrous oxide are to relieve boredom, to seek out relaxation with friends and to suppress psychosocial stress and negative thoughts. Other motives are depression, discrimination and conflict with friends or parents. The taboo culture surrounding substance use—mistrust, shame and macho culture—frustrates timely medical/psychological treatment of Moroccan–Dutch problematic nitrous oxide users. It is recommended to use influencers in media campaigns with the aim to decrease the risks of heavy nitrous oxide use and improve treatment access. Outreach youth workers can also play an important role in motivating socially isolated users to seek medical and or psychological help. |
topic |
laughing gas N2O problematic use Moroccan–Dutch Muslim treatment demand |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/11/5574 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT tonnabben problematicuseofnitrousoxidebyyoungmoroccandutchadults AT jelmerweijs problematicuseofnitrousoxidebyyoungmoroccandutchadults AT janvanamsterdam problematicuseofnitrousoxidebyyoungmoroccandutchadults |
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1721413601257848832 |