Young Adult Ecstasy Users' Enhancement of the Effects of Their Ecstasy Use

This study examines drug effect-enhancing behaviors practiced by young adult users of the drug. Ecstasy. Between August 2002 and August 2004. 283 face-to-face interviews were conducted with active Ecstasy users. Study participants were recruited in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area using it targeted sampling approach. The large majority of study participants (87%) engaged in lit least one behavior specifically designed to bolster the effects of their Ecstasy use, with 61% of the study participants reporting having engaged in at least three such behaviors during the past 30 days. Taking steps to boost one's Ecstasy-related high was associated with hinging on Ecstasy and it variety of adverse outcomes, such is experiencing it greater number of negative consequences resulting front Ecstasy use and experiencing more Ecstasy-related drug dependency symptoms. Multivariate analysis revealed several factors associated with greater involvement in effects-boosting behaviors, including race (not being African American), spending time with other drug users, using Ecstasy for its touch-enhancing qualities, enjoyment of the music-arid-Ecstasy-use experience, and childhood maltreatment experiences. The implications of these findings for treatment, prevention, and intervention for drug problems among Ecstasy users are discussed.