Reasons for not using ecstasy: a qualitative study of non-users, ex-light users and ex-moderate users

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough ecstasy is often consumed in the electronic music scene, not everyone with the opportunity to use it chooses to do so. The objective of this study was to understand the reasons for non-use or the cessation of use, which could provide information for public health interventions.MethodsA qualitative reference method was used. Our “snowball” sample group consisted of 53 people who were split into three subgroups: non-users (NU, n = 23), ex-light users (EX-L, n = 12) and ex-moderate users (EX-M, n = 18). Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and subjected to content analysis with the aid of NVivo8.ResultsAdverse health effects and personal values were given as reasons for non-use in the three groups. Non-users (NU) and ex-light users (EX-L) provided reasons that included fear of possible effects as well as moral, family and religious objections. Ex-moderate users (EX-M) cited reasons related to health complications and concomitant withdrawal from the electronic music scene. However, most of the ex-moderate users did not rule out the possibility of future use.ConclusionsPotential effects and undesirable consequences appear to guide the decisions within the different groups. Prevention might target these motivations. Individuals who have used ecstasy indicate that social and environmental factors are the most important factors.

Patient Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

“…Relevant research includes analyses of interviews with substance users in uncontrolled recreational settings (Beck & Rosenbaum, 1994; Comis & Noto, 2012; Pennay & Moore, 2010; Singer & Schensul, 2011), user experience reports found on online message boards (Bersani et al, 2014; Kjellgren & Soussan, 2011), or interviews of participants involved in non-Western treatment settings (Loizaga-Velder & Verres, 2014; Presser-Felder, 2013; Shanon, 2002). Various substances have been investigated using qualitative methods, including ayahuasca (Loizaga-Velder & Verres, 2014; Presser-Felder, 2013; Shanon, 2002), salvia divinorum (Addy, Garcia-Romeu, Metzger, & Wade, 2015); 25C-NBOMe (Bersani et al, 2014), 4-HO-MET (Kjellgren & Soussan, 2011), MDMA (Passie, 2012; Comis & Noto, 2012; Singer & Schensul, 2011; Beck & Rosenbaum, 1994), and polysubstance use (Pennay & Moore, 2010). Other qualitative research with psychedelic substances has focused on religious/spiritual/mystical experiences (Yaden et al, 2016) or self-transcendent experiences occasioned by hallucinogens (Garcia-Romeu, Himelstein, & Kaminker, 2015).…”

O lazer e o uso de substâncias entre adolescentes: uma revisão integrativa

“…Nos adolescentes em situação de rua, existe uma predileção pelos solventes no primeiro uso (Embleton, Mwangi, Vreeman, Ayuku, & Braitstein, 2013). Outro grupo de substâncias utilizado durante a recreação sãos as drogas estimulantes, sendo que o uso na vida de cocaína foi de 2% e o de crack 0,7% (Comis & Noto, 2012). Os pesquisadores deste estudo ressaltaram que as taxas podem estar subestimadas, uma vez que o método empregado na coleta de dados dirigiu-se a estudantes, excluindo inevitavelmente aqueles que já experimentaram maior rompimento dos vínculos de apoio social como nos casos de evasão escolar.…”