From U Queensland: Young adults' trajectories of Ecstasy use

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23899430

Addict Behav. 2013 Jul 3;38(11):2667-2674. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.06.018. [Epub ahead of print]

Young adults' trajectories of Ecstasy use: A population based study.

Smirnov A, Najman JM, Hayatbakhsh R, Plotnikova M, Wells H, Legosz M, Kemp R.

Source

Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; Drug Harm Reduction Branch, Health Protection Directorate, Queensland Health, Division of the Chief Health Officer, Butterfield St, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia. Electronic address: a.smirnov@uq.edu.au.

Abstract

Young adults' Ecstasy use trajectories have important implications for individual and population-level consequences of Ecstasy use, but little relevant research has been conducted. This study prospectively examines Ecstasy trajectories in a population-based sample. Data are from the Natural History Study of Drug Use, a retrospective/prospective cohort study conducted in Australia. Population screening identified a probability sample of Ecstasy users aged 19-23years. Complete data for 30months of follow-up, comprising 4 time intervals, were available for 297 participants (88.4% of sample). Trajectories were derived using cluster analysis based on recent Ecstasy use at each interval. Trajectory predictors were examined using a generalized ordered logit model and included Ecstasy dependence (World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Instrument), psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale), aggression (Young Adult Self Report) and contextual factors (e.g. attendance at electronic/dance music events). Three Ecstasy trajectories were identified (low, intermediate and high use). At its peak, the high-use trajectory involved 1-2days Ecstasy use per week. Decreasing frequency of use was observed for intermediate and high-use trajectories from 12months, independently of market factors. Intermediate and high-use trajectory membership was predicted by past Ecstasy consumption (>70 pills) and attendance at electronic/dance music events. High-use trajectory members were unlikely to have used Ecstasy for more than 3years and tended to report consistently positive subjective effects at baseline. Given the social context and temporal course of Ecstasy use, Ecstasy trajectories might be better understood in terms of instrumental rather than addictive drug use patterns.