Disorders due to use of synthetic cathinones

Disorders Due to Use of Synthetic Cathinones are characterized by the pattern and consequences of synthetic cathinone use. Synthetic cathinones (also known as ‘bath salts’) are synthetic compounds with stimulant properties related to cathinone found in the khat plant, Catha edulis. The use of synthetic cathinones is common in young populations in many countries. They may produce a range of disorders including Synthetic Cathinone Intoxication, Synthetic Cathinone Dependence and Synthetic Cathinone Withdrawal. Several Synthetic Cathinone-Induced Mental Disorders are recognised.

Diagnostic Categories that Apply to Synthetic Cathinones

Following is a list of specific diagnostic categories of that apply to synthetic cathinones:

• 6C47.0 Episode of Harmful Use of Synthetic Cathinones
• 6C47.1 Harmful Pattern of Use of Synthetic Cathinones
• 6C47.2 Synthetic Cathinone Dependence
• 6C47.3 Synthetic Cathinone Intoxication
• 6C47.4 Synthetic Cathinone Withdrawal
• 6C47.5 Synthetic Cathinone-Induced Delirium
• 6C47.6 Synthetic Cathinone-Induced Psychotic Disorder
• 6C47.70 Synthetic Cathinone-Induced Mood Disorder
• 6C47.71 Synthetic Cathinone-Induced Anxiety Disorder
• 6C47.72 Synthetic Cathinone-Induced Obsessive-Compulsive or Related Syndrome
• 6C47.73 Synthetic Cathinone-Induced Impulse Control Disorder
• 6C47.Y Other Specified Disorder Due to Use of Synthetic Cathinones
• 6C47.Z Disorder Due to Use of Synthetic Cathinones, Unspecified

The first three diagnoses listed above (Episode of Harmful Use of Synthetic Cathinones, Harmful Pattern of Use of Synthetic Cathinones, and Synthetic Cathinone Dependence) describe the pattern of synthetic cathinone use. One of these three diagnoses, or Disorder Due to Use of Synthetic Cathinones, Unspecified, for cases in which the use pattern in unknown at the time of evaluation, is considered to be the primary diagnosis. That is, one of these four diagnoses should be assigned when making a diagnosis of a Disorder Due to Synthetic Cathinone Use.

The remaining diagnoses reflect the impact of the pattern of synthetic cathinone use and are thus considered to be associated with one of the primary use pattern diagnoses. These diagnoses should therefore be assigned together with the relevant primary diagnosis. For example, 6C47.1/ 6C47.5 is Harmful Pattern of Use of Synthetic Cathinones associated with Synthetic Cathinone-Induced Psychotic Disorder, 6C47.2/6C47.70 is Synthetic Cathinone Dependence associated with Synthetic Cathinone-Induced Mood Disorder, 6C4Z/6C47.3 is Disorders Due to Substance Use, Unspecified associated with Synthetic Cathinone Intoxication (i.e., the pattern of use in this last case is unknown).

Synthetic Cathinone-induced Mental Disorders are characterized by psychological, cognitive, or behavioural symptoms that develop during or soon after synthetic cathinone intoxication. The duration or severity of the symptoms is substantially in excess of the characteristic syndrome of Synthetic Cathinone Intoxication or Synthetic Cathinone Withdrawal.