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Illicit drug use and associated problems in the nightlife scene : A potential setting for prevention
Feltmann, Kristin Elgán, Tobias H. Strandberg, Anna K. Kvillemo, Pia Jayaram-Lindström, Nitya Grabski, Meryem Waldron, Jon Freeman, Tom Curran, Helen Valerie Gripenberg, Johanna
Feltmann, Kristin
Elgán, Tobias H.
Strandberg, Anna K.
Kvillemo, Pia
Jayaram-Lindström, Nitya
Grabski, Meryem
Waldron, Jon
Freeman, Tom
Curran, Helen Valerie
Gripenberg, Johanna
Abstract
Illicit drug use is prevalent in the nightlife scene, especially at electronic dance music (EDM) events. The aim of the present study was to investigate illicit drug use patterns and consequences of drug use among frequent visitors of EDM events. Young adults (18–34 years old) who had visited at least six EDM events in Sweden during the past year participated in a web-based survey on drug use patterns and its consequences. Fifty-nine percent of participants had used illicit drugs during the past year, most often cannabis followed by ecstasy, cocaine, and amphetamine. Nightlife venues were identified as the main setting for the use of central stimulants, while cannabis was mostly used at home. Frequent alcohol and tobacco use was associated with illicit drug use. The most prevalent negative consequences of drug use were related to mental health, such as impairments in mood, sleep, and memory problems, but physical manifestations were also reported, such as palpitations and collapsing. These findings confirm that drug use is prevalent and associated with negative health effects among EDM nightlife attendees. The nightlife scene is a setting with promising potential to reach a high-risk target group with illicit drug use prevention interventions.
Keywords
illicit drugs, abuse, nightclubs, festivals, DUDIT, anxiety, prevention, substance use disorder, gender, age
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Book
Volume
18
Issue
9
Page Range
1-20
Article Number
Article 4789
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open