Emergência relacionada com o uso de substâncias psicoativas em ambiente recriativo
: emergências psicológicas e emergências médicas

  • Ana Carolina Carvalho de Oliva Teles (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

The present study seeks to highlight medical emergencies associated with the use of psychoactive substances in recreational environments, with an emphasis on medical and psychological risks and the factors that lead to their aggravation. This qualitative investigation is based on a collective case study, in which documents completed by professionals, who dealt with individuals aided by a psychedelic emergency service at a psychedelic music and cultural festival in Portugal in 2023, were analysed. Out of a total of 409 cases attended by the psychedelic emergency service, 36 were classified as medical emergencies, with 10 cases requiring referral to more specialised medical services. The results of this sample (n=36) show a strong tendency of polydrug use and overdoses, practices which present significant dangers since they affect numerous physiological systems simultaneously. It was determined that the main changes in mental and physical condition are psychomotor agitation, delusions, anxious mood, disorganised thoughts, severe restlessness and depressed consciousness. Therefore, anxiolytics and antipsychotics were the most used medications, and the main intervention measures were psychological support and providing a low-stimulation environment for rest.
Date of Award6 May 2025
Original languagePortuguese
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorMaria Carmo Carvalho (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Recreational environments
  • Altered states of consciousness
  • Crisis intervention
  • Medical risk
  • Psychoactive substances

Designation

  • Mestrado em Psicologia

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