Hallucinogen-related disorders in a national sample of adolescents: the influence of ecstasy/MDMA use.
Li-Tzy Wu, Christopher L. Ringwalt, Roger D Weiss, Dan G Blazer
Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 4, 2009 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.04.014 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 55,286 |
| Population | U.S. adolescents aged 12-17 years who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2004-2006) |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Humans Substance-related disorders N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine Hallucinogens Mental health Crime Socioeconomic factors Students Adolescent Child United states Female Ethnicity |
| Key findings | Overall hallucinogen use disorders were low (under 1%) among adolescents, but 38.5% of MDMA users and 24.1% of other hallucinogen users reported hallucinogen use disorder symptoms. MDMA users were more likely than other hallucinogen users to meet criteria for dependence (11% vs. 3.5%). The authors conclude that adolescent MDMA users appear particularly at risk for hallucinogen dependence and other substance use disorders. |
Abstract
Aims: To present the prevalence and correlates of hallucinogen use disorders (HUDs: abuse or dependence) and subthreshold dependence.
Methods: The study sample included adolescents aged 12-17 years (N=55,286) who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2004-2006). Data were collected with a combination of computer-assisted personal interviewing and audio computer-assisted self-interviewing.
Results: The overall prevalence of HUDs among adolescents was low (<1%). However, more than one in three (38.5%) MDMA users and nearly one in four (24.1%) users of other hallucinogens reported HUD symptoms. MDMA users were more likely than users of other hallucinogens to meet criteria for hallucinogen dependence: 11% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.24-14.81) vs. 3.5% (95% CI: 2.22-5.43). Compared with hallucinogen use only, subthreshold dependence was associated with being female (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.8 [95% CI: 1.08-2.89]), ages 12-13 years (AOR=3.4 [1.64-7.09]), use of hallucinogens > or = 52 days (AOR=2.4 [1.66-6.92]), and alcohol use disorder (AOR=1.8 [1.21-2.77]). Compared with subthreshold dependence, abuse was associated with mental health service use (AOR=1.7 [1.00-3.00]) and opioid use disorder (AOR=4.9 [1.99-12.12]); dependence was associated with MDMA use (AOR=2.2 [1.05-4.77]), mental health service use (AOR=2.9 [1.34-6.06]), and opioid use disorder (AOR=2.6 [1.01-6.90]). MDMA users had a higher prevalence of most other substance use disorders than users of non-hallucinogen drugs.
Conclusions: Adolescent MDMA users appear to be particularly at risk for exhibiting hallucinogen dependence and other substance use disorders.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug Recreational Ecstasy users recruited via snowball peer network | 1992 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 100 |
| Reducedin vivobinding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users Male regular ecstasy users and well-matched controls | 1999 | Cross-sectional association study | n = 20 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Patterns of recreational drug use at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland Drug users at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, aged 16-47, 80% between 18 and... | 2001 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 122 |
| Acute, sub‐acute and long‐term subjective consequences of ‘ecstasy’ (MDMA) consumption in 430 regular users Regular MDMA users | 2003 | Cross-sectional study | n = 466 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Unique and potent effects of acute ibogaine on zebrafish: the developing utility of novel aquatic models for hallucinogenic drug research. Behavioural Brain Research 2013
- Emerging psychoactive substance use among regular ecstasy users in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Dependence July 1, 2012
- Recent national trends in Salvia divinorum use and substance-use disorders among recent and former Salvia divinorum users compared with nonusers. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation April 1, 2011
- Associations between individual hallucinogens and hallucinogen misuse among U.S. Adults who recently initiated hallucinogen use. Addictive Behaviors Reports December 1, 2023
- LSD et MDMA en combinaison (Candy Flip) Psychotropes April 21, 2023
and 4 more in the library
Cites 14
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- Chronic tolerance to recreational MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy Journal of Psychopharmacology 2005
- The confounding problem of polydrug use in recreational ecstasy/MDMA users: a brief overview Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- MDMA in humans: factors which affect the neuropsychobiological profiles of recreational ecstasy users, the integrative role of bioenergetic stress Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- Long-Term Neuropsychiatric Consequences of "Ecstasy" (MDMA): A Review Harvard Review of Psychiatry 2002
and 9 more in the library