Work

Predictors and Comparisons of Polydrug and Non-Polydrug Cocaine Use in Club Subcultures

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Club drug users have been shown to tend towards patterns of polydrug use, which has been linked to adverse health outcomes, such as impaired mental health, overdose, dependence, infectious disease exposure, and decreased cognitive functioning. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Club Drugs and Health Project, a study designed to examine the patterns and contexts of club drug use among young adults. Four-hundred recent club drug users were recruited through time-space sampling. RESULTS: Among recent cocaine users (n = 361), 61.2% were polydrug users. Male gender was predictive of polydrug cocaine use (OR = 1.66). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) sexual orientation, White race, and Non-Latino ethnicity were not. No differences in mental health factors were found between cocaine polydrug users and users of only cocaine. However, polydrug users were significantly more likely to score high on drug-related sensation seeking as well as to use drugs to deal with unpleasant emotions and to have pleasant times with others. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention and intervention efforts should account for contextual and motivational factors in attempting to reduce polydrug use and its negative effects.

Source: The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

DOI: 10.1080/00952990802455451

Authors: Brian C. Kelly, Jeffrey T. Parsons

Institutions: Purdue University West Lafayette, Hunter College

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse