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Emerging psychoactive substance use among regular ecstasy users in Australia
Citation
Bruno, R and Matthews, AJ and Dunn, M and Alati, R and McIlwraith, F and Hickey, S and Burns, L and Sindicich, N, Emerging psychoactive substance use among regular ecstasy users in Australia, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 124, (1-2) pp. 19-25. ISSN 0376-8716 (2012) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.11.020
Abstract
Background: The past decade has seen the development of an array of emerging psychoactive substances
(EPS), however, there is minimal information on the extent of their use outside Europe. This study aimed
to determine the extent of use of EPS from stimulant (such as mephedrone) and psychedelic classes (such
as 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine [5-MeO-DMT]) among an Australian sample of regular ecstasy users
(REU). Further, to determine if consumers of these drugs represent a distinct subgroup of REU.
Methods: Australian national cross-sectional surveys of 693 regular (at least monthly) ecstasy users
conducted during 2010.
Results: More than one quarter (28%) of REU had used an EPS in the past six months, most commonly
from the stimulant class (20%, typically mephedrone, 17%) rather than the psychedelic class (13%). Demographics
and risk behaviours of REU that used stimulant EPS were largely no different from non-EPS
consuming REU. Those using psychedelic EPS were distinct, initiating ecstasy use earlier, more frequently
using multiple substances (cannabis, inhalants, GHB, ketamine) and more commonly experiencing legal,
psychological and social problems.
Conclusions: Psychedelic EPS use appears largely restricted to a distinct subset of REU with high-level
non-injecting polydrug use, but use appears generally limited. The demographic similarity of stimulant
EPS consumers with ‘mainstream’ REU, in conjunction with positive responses to the psychoactive effects
of these drugs and declining ecstasy purity, suggests strong potential for stimulant EPS to expand further
into ecstasy markets. Such drugs may have a greater public health impact than ecstasy, and merit careful
monitoring into the future.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Research Division: | Psychology |
Research Group: | Clinical and health psychology |
Research Field: | Health psychology |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Bruno, R (Associate Professor Raimondo Bruno) |
UTAS Author: | Matthews, AJ (Dr Allison Matthews) |
ID Code: | 76115 |
Year Published: | 2012 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 45 |
Deposited By: | Psychology |
Deposited On: | 2012-02-28 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-07 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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