Substance use assessment: comparing self-reports with objective data in a research setting.

ABSTRACT: Accurate assessment of substance use is essential in public health, clinical, and research settings. While self-reports are widely used, they are prone to biases such as social desirability and recall errors. Objective biological measures, such as hair toxicology, offer a longer detection window and may improve data validity. This study examined the concordance between self-reported substance use and hair toxicology results, with a particular focus on cannabis. It also explored the prevalence and predictors of underreporting, and the relationship between cannabis use patterns and THC detection in hair. Data were collected from 75 adult participants. Self-reported substance use was assessed via questionnaire, and hair samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-M

SUBMITTER: Binkowska AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12832719 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature