Ecstasy and other club drugs: a review of recent epidemiologic studies

Abstract

This review highlights the epidemiologic research on club drug use in the past year, with a focus on clinical epidemiology, social epidemiology, new methodological approaches, and alternative explanations for drug use behaviors. Although 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy is currently classified as a type of hallucinogen and its withdrawal is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, there is evidence for the association of withdrawal symptoms with MDMA abstinence. Findings from latent class analysis indicate that MDMA users have a significantly higher risk of dependence than lysergic acid diethylamide users. Research on sociodemographic factors associated with club drug use continues to be a main focus worldwide. New epidemiologic research methods have been developed to enable researchers to monitor real-time drug use behaviors and to conduct surveys on sensitive issues in public places. In addition to traditional behavioral models, researchers began to examine the club drug phenomenon in the context of economic environment. Recent findings on MDMA use further question the current drug classification in the diagnostic systems. Despite the continuous growth in the club drug research literature, there is no study on the influence of genetic factors on club drug use. More research in this area is needed.