Risk intentions following pill test scenarios are predicted by MDMA use history and sensation seeking: A quantitative field study at an Australian music festival.
Ross C Hollett, Natalie Gately
Drug and Alcohol Review July 2019 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12936 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 276 |
| Population | Music festival attendees |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Festival Harm reduction Intention Risk taking |
| Key findings | Access to pill test results was associated with intended risk reduction among people who had never used MDMA, but not necessarily among those with an MDMA history. Harm-reducing intentions were less likely among people with a history of MDMA use and those high in sensation seeking, particularly when a test indicated a high MDMA dose. The authors conclude that pill testing alone may not prevent adverse outcomes for some festival attendees. |
Abstract
Most Australian Governments have resisted supporting formal pill testing (drug checking) at music festivals. With limited knowledge available regarding post-pill test substance use behaviour, we aimed to understand risk behaviour within three pill test scenarios by determining the individual factors which predict subsequent risky or risk reduction intentions. Music festival attendees (N = 276) were presented with three hypothetical pill test scenarios and reported their risk intentions, MDMA use history and sensation seeking. The pill test scenarios described an inconclusive test (unknown substance), the detection of a high MDMA dose, or a harmful adulterant (PMA or PMMA). Findings revealed that access to pill test results would facilitate reduced risk behaviour rather than maintained or increased risk behaviour for people who have never used MDMA. However, people who have used MDMA were not necessarily more likely to engage in risk reduction following a pill test. Furthermore, and using predictive analyses, harm-reducing behaviours are less likely when a person has a history of MDMA use and for those high in sensation seeking, particularly if a test result indicates a high MDMA dose. Pill testing alone may not prevent adverse outcomes in some festival attendees. While some individuals are more likely to reduce their risk than maintain or increase their risk, other features of a pill test scenario (e.g. referral to support services, drug education) are likely to be important facilitators of harm reduction intentions.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenomenology and Sequelae of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Use Psychiatrists who had taken MDMA | 1992 | Qualitative study | n = 20 |
| MDMA and Sexual Behavior: Ecstasy Users' Perceptions About Sexuality and Sexual Risk Current and former users of MDMA | 2005 | Qualitative study | n = 98 |
| Perceived Benefits of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy beyond Symptom Reduction: Qualitative Follow-Up Study of a Clinical Trial for Individuals with Treatment-Resistant PTSD Veterans, firefighters, and police officers with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD | 2019 | Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis | n = 19 |
| Negative Experiences on Ecstasy: The Role of Drug, Set, and Setting Current or former users of Ecstasy | 2002 | Qualitative study | n = 98 |
| A Qualitative Exploration of Relational Ethical Challenges and Practices in Psychedelic Healing Practitioners who have administered MDMA and psilocybin to clients in underground... | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 23 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- α-Ethyltryptamine: A Ratiocinatory Review of a Forgotten Antidepressant. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science December 8, 2023
- City Checking: Piloting the UK's first community-based drug safety testing ('drug checking') service in two city centres. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology February 6, 2020
- A rapid scoping review of harm reduction strategies for ecstasy (MDMA) users in recreational settings
Cites 11
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- Deaths related to MDMA (ecstasy/molly): Prevalence, root causes, and harm reduction interventions Journal of Substance Use February 20, 2018
and 6 more in the library