CAHSS Faculty Articles

Prescription Drug Abuse among Ecstasy Users in Miami

Department

Department of Justice and Human Services

Publication Date

2006

Publication Title

Journal of Addictive Diseases

ISSN

1545-0848

Volume

24

Issue/No.

4

First Page

1

Last Page

16

Abstract

This study examines the nature, extent and consequences of prescription drug abuse among 143 ecstasy users in Miami. Participants were recruited through nightclub and college campus outreach, and through respondent referrals. Instrumentation included the Risk Behavior Assessment, Substance Abuse Module and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Median age was 23, 42% were female and 50% Hispanic. An arrest history was reported by 44%, and 33% reported prior drug/alcohol treatment. Prescription drug abuse was reported by 87%; alprazolam (57%), oxycodone (36%), hydrocodone (32%) and diazepam (30%) were cited most often. Prescription drug abusers were more likely to report polydrug use, drug treatment histories, risky drug use behaviors, and symptoms of depression. They also reported numerous physical, psychological and social consequences of prescription drug abuse. Additional studies among larger samples are needed to understand the processes of prescription drug access and the extent of integration in club drug using cultures.

ORCID ID

0000-0003-4027-7840, 0000-0001-5643-8536

ResearcherID

H-3010-2014, K-3072-2014

DOI

10.1300/J069v24n04_01

Peer Reviewed

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