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Ecstasy Users (ecstasy + user)
Selected AbstractsExpanding the traditional user versus non-user dichotomy amongst ecstasy usersJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Brian McMillan Abstract Differences in the drug use characteristics and psychosocial variables in the use and non-use of ecstasy within 845 16,25 year-olds in the UK was examined. Based on levels of ecstasy use and intentions, two groups of non-users (resistant and vulnerable), three groups of users (light, moderate and heavy) and an ex-user group were identified. It was found that there is predictive utility in this way of expanding the widely employed ,user versus non-user' dichotomy. Resistant non-users were more likely to be younger, female, and were characterized by lower levels of use of four other drugs (amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine and LSD). Those ,at risk' of using ecstasy reported more frequent use of amphetamine, LSD, and cannabis than resistant non-users. Heavy user groups reported using amphetamine, cocaine and LSD more frequently than all the other groups. Having ecstasy using friends increased the odds of being an ,at risk' non-user or an ecstasy user. Normative influence also differentiated between the three user groups (light, moderate, and heavy). Beliefs about ecstasy use being immoral, ecstasy offers being difficult to resist, ecstasy use making one feel guilty and ecstasy being readily available differentiated between user and non-user groups. These factors could usefully inform the content of health education materials designed to change ecstasy use. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The use of drug detection dogs in Sydney, AustraliaDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 6 2009MATTHEW DUNN Abstract Introduction and Aims. At present there is little research into the use of drug detection dogs. The present study sought to explore the use of detection dogs in Sydney, Australia, utilising multiple data sources. Design and Methods. Data were taken from interviews with 100 regular ecstasy users and 20 key experts as part of the 2006 New South Wales arm of the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System, and secondary data sources. Results. The majority of regular ecstasy users reported taking some form of precaution if made aware that dogs would be at an event they were attending. A small proportion of the sample reported consuming their drugs when coming into contact with detection dogs. One group of key experts viewed the use of detection dogs as useful; one group disliked the use of detection dogs though cooperated with law enforcement when dogs were used; and one group considered that detection dogs contribute to greater harm. Secondary data sources further suggested that the use of detection dogs do not significantly assist police in identifying and apprehending drug suppliers. Discussion and Conclusions. The present study suggests that regular ecstasy users do not see detection dogs as an obstacle to their drug use. Future research is necessary to explore in greater depth the experiences that drug users have with detection dogs; the effect detection dogs may have on deterring drug consumption; whether encounters with detection dogs contribute to drug-related harm; and the cost,benefit analysis of this law enforcement exercise. [Dunn M, Degenhardt L. The use of drug detection dogs in Sydney, Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009] [source] Recreational ecstasy use and the neurotoxic potential of MDMA: current status of the controversy and methodological issuesDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 3 2006MICHAEL LYVERS Abstract The controversy over possible MDMA-induced serotonergic neurotoxicity in human recreational ecstasy users is examined critically in light of recent research findings. Although the designs of such studies have improved considerably since the 1990s, the evidence to date remains equivocal for a number of reasons, including (1) inconsistent findings on the existence and reversibility of persistent ecstasy-related serotonergic and cognitive deficits; (2) lack of clear association between changes in brain imaging measures and functional deficits attributed to MDMA-induced neurotoxicity; (3) the contribution of concomitant cannabis or other drug use to both brain imaging abnormalities and cognitive deficits; (4) methodological shortcomings such as failure to adequately match samples of ecstasy users and controls; (5) the questionable relevance of animal models of MDMA-induced neurotoxicity to typical human patterns of ecstasy use; and (6) the potential role of inherent pre-drug deficits in serotonergic systems, impulse control and executive cognitive function that may predispose to excessive use of drugs including ecstasy. Given the retrospective nature of nearly all studies of ecstasy users to date, the controversy over whether MDMA has ever caused neurotoxicity or cognitive deficit in human ecstasy users is likely to continue for some time without resolution. [source] Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage?ADDICTION, Issue 3 2006E. Gouzoulis-Mayfrank ABSTRACT Background The popular dance drug ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine: MDMA and some analogues) causes selective and persistent neurotoxic damage of central serotonergic neurones in laboratory animals. Serotonin plays a role in numerous functional systems in the central nervous system (CNS). Consequently, various abnormalities including psychiatric, vegetative, neuroendocrine and cognitive disorders could be expected in humans following MDMA-induced neurotoxic brain damage. Aims In recent years, the question of ecstasy-induced neurotoxicity and possible functional sequelae has been addressed in several studies with drug users. The aim of this paper was to review this literature and weigh the strength of the evidence for persistent brain damage in ecstasy users. Methods We used Medline to view all available publications on ,ecstasy' or ,MDMA'. All available studies dealing with ecstasy users entered this analysis. Findings and conclusions Despite large methodological problems the bulk of evidence suggests residual alterations of serotonergic transmission in MDMA users, although at least partial restitution may occur after long-term abstinence. However, functional sequelae may persist even after longer periods of abstinence. To date, the most consistent findings associate subtle cognitive, particularly memory, impairments with heavy ecstasy use. However, the evidence cannot be considered definite and the issues of possible pre-existing traits or the effects of polydrug use are not resolved. Recommendations Questions about the neurotoxic effects of ecstasy on the brain remain highly topical in light of its popularity among young people. More longitudinal and prospective studies are clearly needed in order to obtain a better understanding of the possible long-term sequelae of ecstasy use in humans. [source] GENETIC STUDY: 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, mood disorders and MDMA use in a 3-year follow-up studyADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Rocío Martín-Santos ABSTRACT A 3-year longitudinal prospective study was conducted to compare the incidence of substance use disorders (SUD) and non-substance use disorders (NSUD) among ecstasy users and two control groups: one of cannabis users and the other of non-drug users. The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism related to NSUD was also studied. A total of 94 subjects were included: 37 ecstasy users, 23 cannabis users and 34 non-drug users. SUD and NSUD disorders were diagnosed according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders criteria using the Psychiatric Research Interview for Substance and Mental Disorders. Incidence Rates (IR) are presented. The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was analyzed. Hardy,Weinberg equilibrium was studied. The results of the study showed that the highest IR of SUD was cannabis abuse/dependence in both the ecstasy (IR: 48.6/100 person,year) and cannabis (IR: 2.5/100 person,year) groups. There were no new cases of SUD in non-drug users at follow-up. The highest IR of NSUD was primary mood disorder in both the ecstasy (IR: 4.2/100 person,year) and in the non-drug (IR: 1.3/100 person,year) groups (P < 0.282). There were no new cases of NSUD in the cannabis group at follow-up. 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was associated with lifetime of primary mood disorders in ecstasy group (P = 0.018). Ecstasy use was associated with a higher rate of cannabis abuse/dependence disorders and mood disorders than cannabis use. In the ecstasy users, 5-HTTLPR polymorphism may result in a high vulnerability to primary mood disorders. [source] Visuo-spatial working memory deficits in current and former users of MDMA (,ecstasy')HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 2 2005Michelle Wareing Abstract Verbal working memory and executive deficits have been observed in ecstasy users. The present study sought to establish whether these also extended to visuo-spatial working memory. Thirty-six current ecstasy users, 12 former users (abstinent for at least 6 months) and 31 individuals that had never used ecstasy were tested on a maintenance plus type visuo-spatial working memory task. The task required participants to recall a sequence of specially marked cells in a four-by-four matrix display while at the same time performing a concurrent visual judgement task. Both the current and former user groups registered impairments relative to nonusers. These remained significant following statistical controls for a range of potentially confounding variables including the use of various other drugs during the 3 months prior to testing. Users were unimpaired on a simple spatial span measure suggesting that the deficits observed reflected the executive aspects of the spatial working memory task. Also consistent with executive involvement, statistical controls for measures of verbal working memory performance (computation span) removed half of the ecstasy-related variance in spatial working memory. The possibility that the pattern of results obtained might reflect some general impairment in information processing efficiency is discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Expanding the traditional user versus non-user dichotomy amongst ecstasy usersJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Brian McMillan Abstract Differences in the drug use characteristics and psychosocial variables in the use and non-use of ecstasy within 845 16,25 year-olds in the UK was examined. Based on levels of ecstasy use and intentions, two groups of non-users (resistant and vulnerable), three groups of users (light, moderate and heavy) and an ex-user group were identified. It was found that there is predictive utility in this way of expanding the widely employed ,user versus non-user' dichotomy. Resistant non-users were more likely to be younger, female, and were characterized by lower levels of use of four other drugs (amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine and LSD). Those ,at risk' of using ecstasy reported more frequent use of amphetamine, LSD, and cannabis than resistant non-users. Heavy user groups reported using amphetamine, cocaine and LSD more frequently than all the other groups. Having ecstasy using friends increased the odds of being an ,at risk' non-user or an ecstasy user. Normative influence also differentiated between the three user groups (light, moderate, and heavy). Beliefs about ecstasy use being immoral, ecstasy offers being difficult to resist, ecstasy use making one feel guilty and ecstasy being readily available differentiated between user and non-user groups. These factors could usefully inform the content of health education materials designed to change ecstasy use. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Variety of Ecstasy/MDMA Users: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related ConditionsTHE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS, Issue 6 2009Li-Tzy Wu ScD This study investigates the potential heterogeneity of ecstasy or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) users. Data came from the 2001,2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Latent class analysis (LCA) and multinomial logistic regression procedures were used to identify subtypes of ecstasy users. Approximately 1.6% (n = 562) of adult participants (N = 43,093) reported lifetime ecstasy use. LCA identified three subtypes of ecstasy users. Class 1 exhibited pervasive use ofmost drug classes (ecstasy-polydrug users, 37%). Class 2 reported a high rate of use of marijuana and cocaine and a moderate use of amphetamines (ecstasy-marijuana-stimulant users, 29%). Class 3 was characterized by a high rate of use of marijuana and a low use ofprimarily prescription-type drugs (ecstasy-marijuana users, 34%). Subtypes were distinguished by family income, history ofsubstance abuse treatment, and familial substance abuse. Class 1 exhibited the highest prevalence of disorders related to the use of marijuana (77%), tobacco (66%), amphetamines (36%), opioids (35%), sedatives (31%), and tranquilizers (30%). The recent resurgence in ecstasy use among adults underscores the need to monitor trends in its use. [source] | |||||||||||||