Flunitrazepam: more than a date rape drug.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the independent relationship between depressive symptoms. self-esteem. and drug resistance self-efficacy, and future intentions to use flunitrazepam.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Community-based family planning clinics.


METHODS
865 sexually active women who self-identified as Caucasian. African-American. or Mexican American. denied using flunitrazepam in the last 12 months and reported intentions to use or not use this substance in the next 12 months.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
An anonymous self-report measure assessed the patient's intentions to use flunitrazepam in the next 12 months: other lifetime drug use: and standardized measures of depression. self-esteem, and drug resistance self-efficacy. We hypothesized that future potential users of flunitrazepam would exhibit an increased number of depressive symptoms, lowered self-esteem, and limited drug resistance self-efficacy.


RESULTS
Of the 865 subjects. 16 (1.8%) reported using flunitrazepam in their lifetime but not in the last 12 months. and 46 (5.3%) were identified as potential users. Logistic regression analyses controlling for confounding factors found that potential to use flunitrazepam was significantly associated with limited drug resistance self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 9.3) and the presence of both severe depressive symptoms and lowered self-esteem (AOR = 3.2).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that young women with severe depressive symptoms and diminished self-esteem are at high risk for future flunitrazepam use and may use this drug to self-medicate psychological distress.
Rickert
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Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA. vaughn_rickert@smtplink.mssm.edu
Wiemann
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CM
Berenson
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AB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D016015:Logistic Models; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012651:Self Medication; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D005445:Flunitrazepam