Psychological distress and drug use patterns of young adult ecstasy users: A complementary analysis of Australian datasets

Smirnov, A. and Hayatbakhsh, R. and Alati, R. and Legosz, M. and Burns, L. and Kemp, R. and Wells, H. et al. 2014. Psychological distress and drug use patterns of young adult ecstasy users: A complementary analysis of Australian datasets. Substance Use and Misuse. 49 (1-2): pp. 77-86.

Source Title

Substance Use and Misuse

DOI

10.3109/10826084.2013.819366

ISSN

1082-6084

School

School of Public Health

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72914

Collection

Curtin Research Publications

Abstract

We examine psychological distress (PD) in young adult Ecstasy users in relation to age of initiation and frequency of use of Ecstasy, cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco. Using two Australian community samples, we assess whether different sampling methods produce comparable estimates of these associations. The Natural History Study of Drug Use (NHSDU; N = 339) in 2009 used population sampling and the 2009 Ecstasy and Related Drug Reporting System (EDRS; N = 359) used purposive sampling. Participants, aged 19-23 years, were recurrent Ecstasy users. PD was assessed using Kessler 10 in the EDRS and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale in the NHSDU. In both samples, PD was associated with daily tobacco use and early drug initiation, but not frequent Ecstasy use. One-third smoke tobacco daily. Study limitations and implications are noted. Copyright © 2014 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.