Background: Ecstasy use has increasingly become popular among young adults, many of whom view it as a safe drug with no or limited negative social and health consequences. In this paper, we explore the perceptions of ecstasy users about its recreational use as well as regarding the normalisation of use.
Methods: The study participants were recruited using targeted and theoretical sampling. To be eligible, they had to be between 18 and 25 years and have used ecstasy at least four times within the past 90 days. In-depth interviews were conducted with 112 individuals. Data analysis included the constant comparison method commonly used in modified grounded theory.
Results: The study participants associated their recreational ecstasy use with control, shaping both the timing and setting of their use. In addition, they supported that easy access/availability and social accommodations of use contributed to their acceptance of ecstasy use as a normal part of life. Moreover, low risk perceptions of the social and health consequences of ecstasy used were identified as resulting in normalisation.
Conclusion: The study findings reveal the importance of considering recreational ecstasy use from the perspective of the users themselves for prevention efforts and when providing social and health services, including intervention strategies. In addition, the potential normalisation of ecstasy use must be considered.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2630386 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2007.10.003 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Toxicological evaluation, postmortem case descriptions, and pharmacological activity of N,N-dimethylpentylone and related analogues.
J Anal Toxicol
January 2025
Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, Fredric Rieders Family Foundation, Horsham, PA.
Identification of N,N-dimethylpentylone (DMP) in counterfeit "Ecstasy" and "Molly" tablets poses risk to public health due to its adverse effects. Little information is available regarding the pharmacological activity or relevant blood or tissue concentrations of DMP, and even less is known about other structurally related beta-keto methylenedioxyamphetamine analogues on recreational drug markets, such as N-propyl butylone. Here, a novel toxicological assay utilizing liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ-MS) was developed and validated for the quantitation of DMP and five related synthetic cathinones (eutylone, pentylone, N-ethyl pentylone (NEP), N-propyl butylone, and N-cyclohexyl butylone), with chromatographic resolution from isomeric variants and quantitation performed by standard addition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTime-Dependent Molecular Changes Following MDMA-Induced Nephrotoxicity.
Iran J Pharm Res
May 2024
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
The increasing recreational use of ecstasy (MDMA) poses significant risks to human health, including reports of fatal renal failure due to its adverse renal effects. While MDMA-induced renal toxicity might result from systemic effects, there is also substantial evidence of direct harm to renal tissues by MDMA or its metabolites. The precise mechanisms underlying renal toxicity remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcstasy, molly, MDMA: What health practitioners need to know about this common recreational drug.
Dis Mon
January 2025
NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA.
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; commonly referred to as "ecstasy" or "molly") is a substituted amphetamine drug that is used recreationally for its acute psychoactive effects, including euphoria and increased energy, as well as prosocial effects such as increased empathy and feelings of closeness with others. Acute adverse effects can include hyperthermia, dehydration, bruxism, and diaphoresis. Post-intoxication phenomena may include insomnia, anhedonia, anxiety, depression, and memory impairment, which can persist for days following drug cessation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIllicit drug use among adolescents and young adults with impairments in the US: A cross-sectional analysis of the National Survey on Drug Use And Health.
Prev Med
February 2025
School of Sport Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA. Electronic address:
Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis is to compare the degree to which adolescents and adults with and without impairments in the US engage in illicit drug use.
Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2022 National Survey of Drug Use and Health. Impairment status (mobility, cognitive, hearing, vision, self-care, and communication impairments), illicit drug use (cocaine, crack, heroin, hallucinogens, LSD, ecstasy and molly, inhalants, and methamphetamine), and demographic variables were measured using self-report.
Trends and characteristics in ketamine use among US adults with and without depression, 2015-2022.
J Affect Disord
December 2024
NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, 180 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Background: Ketamine's potential for treating depression has drawn increased clinical interest in recent years. However, despite growing therapeutic use, recreational use among individuals with depression remain underexplored.
Methods: We analyzed data from the 2015-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health focusing on adults in the US.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!