Risk for Ecstasy Use Disorder and Other Substance Use Among International Users of Recreational Ecstasy/Molly/MDMA.
Nancy A Haug, Richa Wadekar, Rachel Barry, James Sottile
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2227960 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAmong 1,732 adults who use ecstasy, 22% showed risk for ecstasy use disorder as measured by the modified UNCOPE. Younger individuals and those using ecstasy more frequently and in larger quantities were at higher risk. Risky ecstasy users also reported greater concurrent use of alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, and ketamine. Participants from Great Britain and Nordic countries were about twice as likely to exhibit risk for ecstasy use disorder compared to those from the United States, Canada, Germany, and Australia/New Zealand. Taking ecstasy at home was the most common setting, followed by electronic dance music events and music festivals.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,732 |
| Population | International adults who use ecstasy, 87% white, 81% male, mean age 25.7 |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Context Polysubstance |
| Key finding | 22% of participants were at risk for ecstasy use disorder, with higher risk among younger individuals and those using more frequently and in larger quantities. |
Abstract
Ecstasy/Molly/MDMA is a widely used substance often taken in combination with other drugs in different contexts. The current study assessed ecstasy use patterns, concurrent substance use and the context of ecstasy use among an international sample of adults (N = 1,732). Participants were 87% white, 81% male, 42% college educated, 72% employed, with a mean age of 25.7 (SD = 8.3). Using the modified UNCOPE, risk for ecstasy use disorder was 22% overall, and significantly higher among younger individuals and those with greater frequency and quantity of use. Participants reporting risky ecstasy use endorsed significantly higher use of alcohol, nicotine/tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, and ketamine compared to those at lower risk. Great Britain (aOR = 1.86; 95% CI [1.24, 2.81]) and Nordic countries (aOR = 1.97; 95% CI [1.11, 3.47]) were approximately 2 times more likely to exhibit risk for ecstasy use disorder than the United States, Canada, Germany, and Australia/New Zealand. Taking ecstasy at home emerged as a common setting followed by electronic dance music events and music festivals. The UNCOPE may be a useful clinical tool for detecting problematic ecstasy use. Harm reduction interventions for ecstasy should target young people, substance co-administration, and context of use.