Marijuana the most commonly used psychoactive substance after alcohol, caffeine and nicotine in Poland

The survey was conducted as an online survey with 37 closed-ended single-choice questions and three multiple-choice questions. Respondents were recruited through social media platforms, mainly Facebook and Instagram, in drug-related groups. Recruitment efforts were supported by activist and advocacy groups that promoted the questionnaire through their own social media networks. The sample consisted of 2,447 people between the ages of 13 and 63. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics only.

- The study population (average age 27) consisted mainly of men and urban residents. Marijuana was the most commonly used substance after alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, although the overall largest percentage of respondents use drugs infrequently (35.6% reported using any drug once every few months or less often) and occurred mainly in social settings (50.2%) or at home (52.3%). It is noteworthy that 83.6% never tested the composition of the substance, and 51.4% relied on visual estimation of the dose, says Dr. Gniewko Więckiewicz.

The youngest person surveyed was 13 years old, and the oldest was 63 years old. The average age of respondents was 27. Most of the surveyed users of psychoactive substances were male (56.1%), heterosexual (78%), in informal relationships (50.6%). Most of the respondents were residents of large cities (56.1%), with secondary education (50.6%), working full time (47.3%), declaring monthly earnings of more than PLN 5,000 net (46.4%).

Due to their use of psychoactive drugs, some sixty percent of respondents neglected daily chores, and 16.8% faced legal problems. Although 70.7% did not seek medical help, almost half had been to a psychiatrist (mainly for depression), with 41.1% having attempted suicide and 70.5% having used illegal substances before their first consultation. Only 40% would consistently disclose psychoactive substance use to a doctor.

- Stimulant use and subsequent medical consultations - especially for mephedrone derivatives - are on the rise and require further research. Mephedrone consumption - is on the rise and this trend requires further research observations. Use of psychedelic substances is declining, probably due to less mainstream media attention. Observations also point to a growing acceptance of psychiatric care in Polish society, Dr. Więckiewicz adds, "At the same time, one of the most disturbing phenomena recorded this year is the increase in people using drugs alone - 25% of our respondents this year declared this phenomenon, where in 2021 and 2023 the percentages were 18.2% and 20.2%, respectively. This may be a symptom of our sense of loneliness in society and requires further research.

What is the problem of nicotine addiction? Its use is declared by 1,648 respondents (67.3%), most often taking it in the form of e-cigarettes (liquids) (26.2%). In contrast, classic cigarettes are chosen by 583 respondents (23.8%). A total of 1,783 respondents (72.9%) admit to consuming alcohol.

The average age of first contact with psychoactive substances is 19. The most commonly used psychoactive substance other than alcohol, caffeine and nicotine is marijuana, which 97.9% of respondents have used in their lifetime, and 85% of respondents have used it in the past 12 months. In second place is MDMA one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances in the world (similarly, 75.9% and 42.1%). Psychoactive substances are most often used once every few months or less often (35.6%), with friends (50.2%) and in one's own home (52.3%). Most users buy psychoactive substances from friends (47.2%) and spend up to PLN 100 per month on them (31.1%). It was found that 83.6% of respondents never test their psychoactive substances with colorimetric reagents or in a laboratory, and 51.4% of respondents measure the dose by visual observation. A total of 86.5% of respondents have tried to educate themselves about the safety and dangers of psychoactive substances (including scientific articles, YouTube and Instagram) A total of 60.0% of respondents have neglected their daily routines at least once in their lives due to psychoactive substance use. A total of 16.8% of respondents have been in trouble with the law. Moreover, 16.2% of drinking respondents had considered getting help for their alcohol use.

But most respondents did not consider seeking professional help for their psychoactive substance use (70.7%), while 221 respondents (9.0%) sought medical help soon after using psychoactive substances, most often after using mephedrone or other synthetic cathinones (32.6%). Some respondents (10.4%) are unable to specify what type of substance they sought medical help after using.

Among the respondents, 1,055 people (43.1%) received psychiatric treatment, most often seeking help from a private practice (71.8%). Most respondents had been to a doctor for depressive disorders (50.0%). A total of 433 people (41.1%) in this group had attempted suicide at least once. In most cases, the first visit to the doctor was preceded by psychoactive substance use (70.5%). Most psychiatrists asked about the psychoactive substances used (79.3%). Only 40% would tell the doctor the truth about psychoactive substance use regardless of the circumstances.

- The survey provides important data in the area of harm reduction. Compared to previous years, more people now report problems with the law or neglecting daily chores, which may suggest an increase in social harm associated with psychoactive substance use. Also of concern is the increase in the percentage of people who mostly measure the doses of psychoactive substances they possess "by eye" (40.9% in 2023 and 51.4% in 2025) and do not test them with colorimetric reagents or send them to a laboratory for testing, Dr. Więckiewicz stresses. It is likely that this result is related to the increased popularity of stimulants and the increased percentage of people buying psychoactive substances in conditions not conducive to accurate dose measurement, i.e. from a dealer or from strangers at music festivals, clubs or bars. What's more, the change in sources of substance acquisition - a decline in purchases from acquaintances (from 57.4% in 2023 to 47.2% in 2025) in favor of transactions with strangers - is reducing access to informal harm reduction knowledge previously passed on orally in user communities. The rise in popularity of buying stimulants from strangers may be influenced by the popularization of shopping via technologies that provide anonymity and encryption of Internet traffic (the so-called darknet),

Buying from unverified sources increases the risk of getting the wrong substance, increasing the risk of overdose. In this year's edition, 9.5 percentage points more respondents reported abstinence compared to those four years ago. Among drinkers, the percentage consuming alcohol once a month or less often increased (28.3% vs. 19.5% previously). Beer remains the most popular alcoholic beverage, although its consumption has declined (from 56.3% in 2021 to 48.2% this year). More respondents also reported considering help for their alcohol use, consistent with trends reported by the National Center for Addiction Prevention. One of the key factors influencing alcohol use is economic availability. This year's sample included more people earning more than £5,000 net, likely due to increases in the minimum wage and inflation.

Source: SUM