Predictors and comparisons of polydrug and non-polydrug cocaine use in club subcultures.
OBJECTIVE
Club drug users have been shown to tend towards patterns of polydrug use, which has been linked to adverse health outcomes, such as impaired mental health, overdose, dependence, infectious disease exposure, and decreased cognitive functioning.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the Club Drugs and Health Project, a study designed to examine the patterns and contexts of club drug use among young adults. Four-hundred recent club drug users were recruited through time-space sampling.


RESULTS
Among recent cocaine users (n = 361), 61.2% were polydrug users. Male gender was predictive of polydrug cocaine use (OR = 1.66). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) sexual orientation, White race, and Non-Latino ethnicity were not. No differences in mental health factors were found between cocaine polydrug users and users of only cocaine. However, polydrug users were significantly more likely to score high on drug-related sensation seeking as well as to use drugs to deal with unpleasant emotions and to have pleasant times with others.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention and intervention efforts should account for contextual and motivational factors in attempting to reduce polydrug use and its negative effects.
Kelly
Brian C
BC
Department of Sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA. bckelly@purdue.edu
Parsons
Jeffrey T
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009519:New York City; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
D013287:Illicit Drugs