title: The variety of ecstasy/MDMA users: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on alcohol and related conditions.
abstract: This study investigates the potential heterogeneity of ecstasy or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) users. Data came from the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Latent class analysis (LCA) and multinomial logistic regression procedures were used to identify subtypes of ecstasy users. Approximately 1.6% (n = 562) of adult participants (N = 43,093) reported lifetime ecstasy use. LCA identified three subtypes of ecstasy users. Class 1 exhibited pervasive use of most drug classes (ecstasy-polydrug users, 37%). Class 2 reported a high rate of use of marijuana and cocaine and a moderate use of amphetamines (ecstasy-marijuana-stimulant users, 29%). Class 3 was characterized by a high rate of use of marijuana and a low use of primarily prescription-type drugs (ecstasy-marijuana users, 34%). Subtypes were distinguished by family income, history of substance abuse treatment, and familial substance abuse. Class 1 exhibited the highest prevalence of disorders related to the use of marijuana (77%), tobacco (66%), amphetamines (36%), opioids (35%), sedatives (31%), and tranquilizers (30%). The recent resurgence in ecstasy use among adults underscores the need to monitor trends in its use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. litzy.wu@duke.edu
authors.forename: Li-Tzy
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Andy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Parrott
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ringwalt
authors.forename: Chongming
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Dan G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Blazer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine