From "Male Bonding Rituals" to "Suicide Tuesday": A qualitative study of issues faced by gay male ecstasy (MDMA) users.
Use of MDMA and other club drugs has increased among gay men, but questions remain concerning the use, context, and popularity of these drugs; and views of their side effects. We interviewed in-depth 12 gay MDMA users in New York. MDMA had specific appeals to gay men, who often described isolation and stigmatization. Users underwent a period of initiation and social networks often became comprised of greater numbers of other users. Club environments fostered drug use and vice versa. Awareness of potential adverse effects varied and was minimized. Appropriate educational and prevention programs are needed to address these issues, and must take into account the specific contexts of these gay men's lives.
Klitzman
Robert
R
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Inst, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. rlk2@columbia.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D009519:New York City; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D012934:Social Isolation; D012951:Socialization; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine