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Polysubstance use patterns in underground rave attenders: a cluster analysis.
Fermín Fernandez-Calderón1, Oscar M Lozano, Claudio Vidal
1Fundación Andaluza para la Atención e Incorporación Social, Sevilla. fermin.fernandez@juntadeandalucia.es
Journal of Drug Education
|September 6, 2011
Summary
Drug use in underground rave parties is high, with attendees using an average of 4.9 substances. Two distinct patterns emerged: stimulant-focused and hallucinogen-focused, informing prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Psychopharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Drug use is common at mainstream rave parties, but less is known about underground rave scenes.
- Understanding drug use patterns in underground raves is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate polysubstance use patterns among attendees of underground rave parties.
- To identify specific drug use behaviors and trends within this population.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was administered to 252 participants aged 18-30 attending underground raves.
- Data collected focused on the types and frequency of drug use at recent rave events.
Main Results:
- Participants reported using an average of 4.9 different drugs at their last rave.
- Over 75% used tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and amphetamines; over 50% used ecstasy.
- Two distinct use patterns were identified: stimulant-predominant and hallucinogen-predominant.
Conclusions:
- Underground ravers exhibit a typical sociodemographic profile but higher drug use than their peers.
- Drug use prevalence exceeds that of mainstream rave parties.
- Identified use patterns necessitate tailored prevention and risk reduction strategies for underground rave attendees.
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