title: A qualitative analysis of GHB use among gay men: Reasons for use despite potential adverse outcomes.
abstract: This paper examines the use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) among a sample of gay men in New York City, who identify GHB as their most frequently used club drug. The sample was drawn from a larger longitudinal investigation of club drug using men. Thematic analysis yielded findings regarding perceived stigma for GHB use, tolerance of potential adverse side effects, and reasons for why some prefer this substance to other club drugs. Specifically, our findings suggest that GHB is viewed unfavorably in many social circles, that side effects are tolerated by frequent GHB users, and that the drug is chosen over other substances because the short duration of action, energy boost, sleep assistance, increase in libido, and limited after-effects. Examining the reasons why men use this substance will lead to the development of GHB specific prevention strategies, which accurately address the consequences of use as well as the motivations that individuals possess for using the substance.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies, New York University, New York, NY 10001, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Palamar
authors.forename: Perry N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Halkitis
keywords: Club drugs; GHB; Gay men; Sex; Stigma; gamma-Hydroxybutyrate
references.citation: Drug Alcohol Depend. 2001 Jun 1;63(1):1-22
references.pmid: 11297827
references.citation: Anaesthesia. 1998 Dec;53(12):1195-8
references.pmid: 10193223
references.citation: Addiction. 1997 Jan;92(1):89-96
references.pmid: 9060200
references.citation: J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2004 Dec;44(6):631-8
references.pmid: 15550780
references.citation: J Anal Toxicol. 2004 Nov-Dec;28(8):625-30
references.pmid: 15538955
references.citation: Alcohol Health Res World. 1998;22(1):54-60
references.pmid: 15706734
references.citation: Drug Alcohol Depend. 2001 Sep 1;64(1):9-17
references.pmid: 11470336
references.citation: Addiction. 2003 Feb;98(2):199-204
references.pmid: 12534425
references.citation: Neurology. 2000 Jul 25;55(2):294-6
references.pmid: 10908909
references.citation: West J Med. 1992 Apr;156(4):380-4
references.pmid: 1574880
references.citation: J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1999 Jul;290(1):136-45
references.pmid: 10381769
references.citation: Drug Alcohol Depend. 2002 Jun 1;67(1):89-94
references.pmid: 12062782
references.citation: Am J Addict. 2004 Mar-Apr;13(2):120-7
references.pmid: 15204663
references.citation: Am J Addict. 2001 Summer;10(3):232-41
references.pmid: 11579621
references.citation: J Urban Health. 2005 Mar;82(1 Suppl 1):i18-25
references.pmid: 15738324
references.citation: Int J Drug Policy. 2001 Jul 1;12(2):181-199
references.pmid: 11399420
references.citation: J Psychoactive Drugs. 1986 Oct-Dec;18(4):355-9
references.pmid: 2880951
references.citation: Alcohol. 2000 Apr;20(3):271-6
references.pmid: 10869869
references.citation: Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2003 Jan;165(3):317-9
references.pmid: 12459932
references.citation: Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1998 Feb;22(1):231-5
references.pmid: 9514312
references.citation: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2001 Dec 1;28(4):373-9
references.pmid: 11707675
references.citation: Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Jun;965:451-60
references.pmid: 12105120
references.citation: Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Nov;74(5):475-86
references.pmid: 14586388
references.citation: Am J Emerg Med. 1991 Jul;9(4):321-4
references.pmid: 2054002
references.citation: Int J Clin Pract. 1999 Oct-Nov;53(7):549-51
references.pmid: 10692742
references.citation: J Subst Abuse. 2001;13(1-2):119-26
references.pmid: 11547613
references.citation: Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 1989 Winter;13(4):187-98
references.pmid: 2691926
references.citation: Ann Emerg Med. 1998 Jun;31(6):723-8
references.pmid: 9624312
references.citation: Eur Psychiatry. 2001 Mar;16(2):127-30
references.pmid: 11311178