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Emerging psychoactive substance use among regular ecstasy users in Australia

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 10:40 authored by Raimondo BrunoRaimondo Bruno, Allison MatthewsAllison Matthews, Dunn, M, Alati, R, McIlwraith, F, Hickey, S, Burns, L, Sindicich, N
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.

History

Publication title

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Volume

124

Issue

1-2

Pagination

19-25

ISSN

0376-8716

Department/School

School of Psychological Sciences

Publisher

Elsevier Ireland Ltd

Place of publication

Brookvale Plaza, E. Park, Shannon, Co. Clare Irela

Rights statement

Copyright 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified

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