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The prevalence, intensity, and assessment of craving for MDMA/ecstasy in recreational users.

Alan K. Davis, Harold Rosenberg

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2014 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2014.901586 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Sample size 240
Population Recreational MDMA/ecstasy users recruited via web-based data collection
Topics MDMA
Keywords Assessment Craving Prevalence
Key findings Recreational MDMA/ecstasy users endorse some experiences indicative of craving, with 50% agreeing with at least two of eight craving statements and 30% agreeing with six or more. Craving scores varied with cue exposure and frequency of ecstasy use and were significantly associated with ecstasy-related attitudes, though only a minority reported intense craving after explicit cue exposure.

Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence, intensity, and correlates of craving for MDMA/ecstasy among recreational users employing a new multi-item, self-report questionnaire reflecting experiences of desire, intention to use, and anticipated loss of control. Using a web-based data collection procedure, we recruited MDMA/ecstasy users (n = 240) to rate their agreement with eight craving statements immediately before and immediately following 90 seconds of exposure to either ecstasy-related or control stimuli. Participants then completed questionnaires to measure ecstasy refusal self-efficacy, passionate engagement in ecstasy use, substance use history, and demographic information. Fifty percent of participants indicated some level of agreement with at least two (out of eight) statements indicative of craving and 30% agreed at some level with six or more such statements. The questionnaire used to assess craving was internally consistent, unidimensional, and had excellent one-week test-retest reliability. Craving scores varied as a function of both cue exposure and frequency of ecstasy use, and were significantly associated with ecstasy-related attitudes. Recreational users of MDMA/ecstasy endorse some experiences indicative of craving for this drug, even though only a minority report intense craving following explicit cue exposure.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting 1986 Observational study
Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users 1998 Observational cohort
Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people 2000 Observational
The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals 1986 Observational cohort
Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users 1998 Observational cohort n = 30

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