Predictors and Comparisons of Polydrug and Non-Polydrug Cocaine Use in Club Subcultures

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Club drug users have been shown to tend towards patterns of polydrug use, which has been linked to adverse health outcomes, such as impaired mental health, overdose, dependence, infectious disease exposure, and decreased cognitive functioning. Methods: We analyzed data from the Club Drugs and Health Project, a study designed to examine the patterns and contexts of club drug use among young adults. Four-hundred recent club drug users were recruited through time-space sampling. Results: Among recent cocaine users (n = 361), 61.2% were polydrug users. Male gender was predictive of polydrug cocaine use (OR = 1.66). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) sexual orientation, White race, and Non-Latino ethnicity were not. No differences in mental health factors were found between cocaine polydrug users and users of only cocaine. However, polydrug users were significantly more likely to score high on drug-related sensation seeking as well as to use drugs to deal with unpleasant emotions and to have pleasant times with others. Conclusions: Prevention and intervention efforts should account for contextual and motivational factors in attempting to reduce polydrug use and its negative effects.