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Motives for MDMA Use: A Comparative Study with Alcohol and Cannabis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

D. Zullino*
Affiliation:
1Service d’addictologie
L. Penzenstadler
Affiliation:
2Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Genève, Switzerland
S. Rothen
Affiliation:
1Service d’addictologie
F. Seragnnoli
Affiliation:
1Service d’addictologie
A. S. Girardet
Affiliation:
1Service d’addictologie
G. Calzada
Affiliation:
1Service d’addictologie
G. Thorens
Affiliation:
1Service d’addictologie
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

While research on drug use motives has primarily focused on widely used substances like alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, understanding the motivations behind MDMA use is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic, preventive, and harm reduction strategies.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to present the findings of an online survey that evaluates the motives behind the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and draws comparisons between these motives and those for alcohol and cannabis consumption.

Methods

Data were collected through an online survey, available in both English and French, with 99 participants. The survey included five sections, including a substance abuse screening test (ASSIST) and the Pahnke-Richards Mystical Experience Questionnaire. The primary focus was on motives for MDMA use, assessed using an adapted version of the Marijuana Motives Measure (MMM), comparing them with alcohol and cannabis motives.

Results

The most reported motive for MDMA use was enhancement, followed by expansion motives. Social motives were the third most common, while coping motives ranked fourth, and conformity was the least common motive. Comparisons with alcohol and cannabis use motives revealed differences in motives for each substance. MDMA showed a unique pattern of motives.

Conclusions

Enhancement emerged as the most prevalent motive for MDMA use, consistent with previous research on MDMA motive use. Expansion motives, which involve altering perceptions and increasing self-awareness, ranked second, reflecting the growing interest in MDMA-assisted therapy for conditions like PTSD. Surprisingly, social motives were less common for MDMA compared to alcohol and cannabis, suggesting unique social dynamics associated with MDMA use. Conformity motives were also less significant for MDMA users, possibly due to the age of initiation and user maturity.

Understanding the motives behind MDMA use is essential for designing effective interventions and harm reduction strategies. The distinct motives for MDMA, as compared to alcohol and cannabis, highlight the need for tailored approaches to address its use. Further research should explore the complex interplay of motives, age of initiation, social context, and cultural factors to inform comprehensive strategies related to MDMA use.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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