Nonmedical prescription drug use among African Americans who use MDMA (ecstasy/molly): Implications for risk reduction.
Addictive Behaviors April 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.12.024 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed-methods study (survey and qualitative interviews) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | African-American young adults in Southwest Florida |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | African americans Benzodiazepines Ecstasy/molly Opioids Stimulants |
| Key findings | Among African-American MDMA users surveyed, 59% also used benzodiazepines nonmedically, 35% opioids, and 13% stimulants. Interviews indicated benzodiazepines were used for MDMA comedown, opioids for a different high, and stimulants for energy. The authors contend these combination patterns warrant targeted harm reduction and treatment messaging. |
Abstract
Recent data suggest that both nonmedical prescription drug and MDMA (ecstasy/molly) use have risen among African Americans. However, studies investigating these two forms of drug use among African Americans are rare. As a result, very little is known about African-American MDMA users and their nonmedical use of prescription medications. The primary goal of this study, therefore, was to describe patterns of nonmedical prescription drug use among African Americans who use MDMA. We also assessed alcohol and illicit drug use among the sample. Surveys (n=100) and in-depth interviews (n=15) were conducted with African-American young adults in Southwest Florida between August 2014 and November 2015. Survey results show that a significant proportion of the sample used MDMA in conjunction with prescription medications (benzodiazepines=59%; opioids=35%; stimulants=13%). Qualitative findings suggest that benzodiazepine medications were used to alleviate MDMA comedown symptoms, opioids were used to achieve a different quality high, and stimulants were used to provide added energy throughout the night. These results suggest that treatment practitioners and harm reduction professionals should pay particular attention to informing users of the potential hazards of combining MDMA with prescription medications. Although additional research is clearly needed, these findings are an important first step towards understanding both nonmedical prescription drug and MDMA use among African Americans, and could be used to tailor treatment and risk reduction interventions to this population.
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
- Deaths related to MDMA (ecstasy/molly): Prevalence, root causes, and harm reduction interventions Journal of Substance Use February 20, 2018
- Use characteristics and harm potential of ecstasy in The Netherlands Drugs Education Prevention and Policy September 10, 2020
- MDMA (ecstasy/molly) use among African Americans: The perceived influence of hip-hop/rap music. Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse 2019
Cites 22
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA JAMA March 27, 1987
- Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low Addiction July 1, 1997
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy' JAMA March 27, 1987
- The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited: the true story reconstructed from the original documents* Addiction July 8, 2006
- MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Abuse and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among 169 Gay and Bisexual Men American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 2000
and 17 more in the library