Wellbeing of Recreational Polydrug Users and Non Drug Users

I am a PhD student and am conducting a research on the effects of recreational drug use with particular emphasis on Ecstasy. I am surveying around 500 young people ranging from non-drug users to heavy drug users.

WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER TAKEN ANY DRUGS.

These are some of the questions I am attempting to answer in the current study:

  1. What are the characteristics of problematic compared with non-problematic Ecstasy users? For example, are some individuals more predisposed than others to experiencing psychological problems following drug use?
  2. Are there any psychiatric disorders associated with Ecstasy use that are not associated with other drugs use?
  3. Are any particular combinations of drugs more likely to cause problems than others?

I WILL BE VERY GRATEFUL IF YOU ARE WILLING TO COMPLETE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE.
YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME!

You are not asked to give you name or address and the data will be only be used by professional researchers.

Please read the instructions carefully and make sure you had answered EVERY question.

MANY THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

Personal History

Name (initials only): if you are completing this questionnaire for the second time, remember to report "2" after your initials!
Thanks a lot!
Age:
Gender: Male Female
Sexual orientation: StraightHomosexualOther
Home Country:
Education:
Occupation:

Has your mother, father or brother/sister ever been medicated for any of the following problems?

Alcohol/drug dependence Yes No
Anxiety/Panic attacks/Phobia Yes No
Depression Yes No
Obsessive compulsive disorders Yes No
Schizophrenia/Paranoia Yes No

If yes, please provide details:

Have you ever been treated for alcohol and/or drug dependence? Yes No

Have you ever taken medication for any of the following problems?

Anxiety/Panic attacks/Phobia Yes No
Depression Yes No
Obsessive-compulsive disorders Yes No
Schizophrenia/Paranoia Yes No

If yes, where these problems related to any drug use? Please specify:

Have you ever been hospitalised for brain injuries? Yes No
Have you ever suffered from drug allergies? Yes No

How stressful had life been in the last 6 months?

More stressful than usual
As normal
Less stressful than usual

Drug Use Questionnaire

Please answer these as accurately as possible:

IMPORTANT: if you are completing this questionnaire for the second time, remember to report your drug use from the date of your first questionnaire up now, ONLY!

Many thanks for your help!

1. ECSTASY/MDMA AND OTHER DRUGS

Which of the following drugs have you taken, and approximately how many times?
(I know it's difficult, but please report a NUMBER, otherwise I can`t do any analysis on the data).

Ecstasy/MDMA No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Amphetamine No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Cocaine/crack No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
LSD No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Cannabis No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Barbiturates No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium) No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Opiates (Heroine, Morphine) No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Magic Mushrooms No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Anabolic Steroids No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Solvents No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Popper No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Ketamine No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
Prozac No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
V_iagra No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?
GHB No Yes If yes, how many times have you taken it?

Others, including prescribed medications you have taken (Please specify & indicate how often used, as above):

 

2. ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND CANNABIS USE

Do you smoke tobacco? No Yes If yes, how many cigarettes do you smoke per day on average?:
Do you drink alcohol? No Yes If yes, how many units of alcohol do you drink in a typical week?:
Do you smoke cannabis? No Yes If yes, how many times do you smoke per month on average?:

If you have NEVER taken Ecstasy, please go to the section called "Psychological Scale"

3.ECSTASY USE STORY

1. When was the first time you took Ecstasy/MDMA?
2. When did you last take Ecstasy/MDMA?
3. How many tablets would you normally take in one occasion?
4. What is the largest number of tablets you have ever taken in one occasion?
5. How many ecstasy tablets have you taken in your lifetime?
(PLEASE BE AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE)
6. Do/did you usually take other drugs (alcohol included) together with Ecstasy? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

7. Have you increased the number of ecstasy tablets you take each time? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

8. Has the effect of ecstasy changed, the more you have taken? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

9. Is/was the sole purpose of taking ecstasy to lose weight? No Yes
10. Have you ever had unpleasant adverse reactions on ecstasy?    
Physical effects? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

Psychological effects? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

Cognitive (memory, attention) effects? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

What Ecstasy pills and other drugs had you taken on these adverse occasion(s)?

During any of these bad experiences, did you feel your body temperature rise? No Yes

11. Have you ever had any LONG-TERM health problems/behaviours that you would attribute to having used ecstasy?

Physical effects? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

Psychological effects? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

Cognitive (memory, attention) effects? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

12. Do/did you suffer if you go for some time without taking ecstasy? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

13. Do/did you need to take ecstasy regularly? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

14. Are/were you dependent or addicted to ecstasy in any way? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

15. Do (or did you use to) you take any drugs or substances, which are supposed to prevent ecstasy side-effects? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

16. Do you think that ecstasy affected your everyday life in a negative way? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

17. Do you think that ecstasy had affected your everyday life in a positive way? No Yes

If yes, please provide details:

Psychological Scale

INSTRUCTIONS

Below is a list of feelings and complaints that people sometimes have. Please read each one carefully. After you have done so please circle one of the numbers to the right that best describes HOW MUCH YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT FEELING OR COMPLAINT, WHEN NOT UNDER THE EFFECT OF DRUGS, IN THE PAST MONTH (It does not mean that you must not have taken drugs for four weeks, it means that I am interested in knowing how you feel when you are not under the effect of drugs).

WHE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER TAKEN ANY DRUGS.

Please choose a value for each of the questions below and do not skip any items.

Please Note: All of the questions below relate to your experiences IN THE PAST MONTH and WHEN NOT UNDER THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS.

 

IN THE PAST MONTH, WHEN YOU WERE NOT UNDER THE EFFECT OF DRUGS, HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED:

  NOT AT ALL A LITTLE BIT MODERATELY QUITE A BIT EXTREMELY
1. Nervous or shakiness inside?
2. Faintness or dizziness?
3. Feeling interested in things?
4. Feeling comfortable with others?
5. The idea that someone else can control your thoughts?
6. Feeling others are to blame for most of your troubles?
7. Feeling quick witted? (to be able to think clearly, understand quickly)
8. Trouble remembering things?
9. Increased sexual desire?
  NOT AT ALL A LITTLE BIT MODERATELY QUITE A BIT EXTREMELY
10. Sleeping well?
11. Feeling easily annoyed or irritated?
12. Feeling rush or impulsive?
13. Pains in heart or chest?
14. Feeling afraid of open spaces or on the streets?
15. Thoughts of ending your life?
16. Feeling alert and attentive?
17. Feeling that most people cannot be trusted?
18. Poor appetite?
19. Having sexual interest and/or pleasure?
  NOT AT ALL A LITTLE BIT MODERATELY QUITE A BIT EXTREMELY
20. Craving for chocolate?
21. Suddenly scared for no reason?
22. Temper outbursts that you could not control ?
23. Feeling satisfied with life?
24. Feeling lonely even when you are with other people?
25. Feeling blocked in getting things done?
26. Having good time with friends?
27. Decreased sexual desire?
28. Feeling lonely?
29. Feeling blue (sad, feeling down)?

IN THE PAST MONTH, WHEN NOT UNDER THE EFFECT OF DRUGS, HAVE YOU EVER XPERIENCED:

  NOT AT ALL A LITTLE BIT MODERATELY QUITE A BIT EXTREMELY
30. Having good appetite?
31. Feeling no interest in things?
32. Feeling fearful?
33. Feeling clear-headed?
34. Your feelings being easily hurt?
35. Difficulties in planning things?
36. Feeling that people are unfriendly or dislike you?
37. Feeling in good spirits?
38. Feeling inferior to others?
39. Nausea or upset stomach?
  NOT AT ALL A LITTLE BIT MODERATELY QUITE A BIT EXTREMELY
40. Feeling that you are watched or talked about by others?
41. Trouble falling asleep?
42. Feeling non-judgmental of others?
43. Having to check and double check what you do?
44. Feeling healthy and proficient?
45. Difficulty making decisions?
46. Feeling afraid to travel on buses, subways or trains?
47. Premature orgasm (premature ejaculation in males)?
48. Trouble getting your breath?
49. Feeling happy?
  NOT AT ALL A LITTLE BIT MODERATELY QUITE A BIT EXTREMELY
50. Hot or cold spells?
51. Having to avoid certain things, places or activities because they frighten you?
52. Your mind going blank?
53. Feeling creative?
54. Numbness or tingling in parts of your body?
55. Mid-week blues?
56. The idea that you should be punished for your sins?
57. Delayed orgasm (difficulty in achieving orgasm for females)?
58. Feeling hopeless about the future?
59. Trouble concentrating?
60. Feeling close to others?
61. Feeling weak in parts of your body?
62. Feeling tense or keyed-up?
63. Enjoying dancing and/or music?
64. Overeating?
65. Feeling confident about the future?
66. Having urges to beat, injure or harm someone?
67. Having mood swings?
68. Feeling good about your body?
69. Having urges to break or smash things?

IN THE PAST MONTH, WHEN NOT UNDER THE EFFECT OF DRUGS, HAVE YOU EVER XPERIENCED:

  NOT AT ALL A LITTLE BIT MODERATELY QUITE A BIT EXTREMELY
70. Feeling very self conscious with others?
71. Feeling liked by others?
72. Physical problems with sex (impotence, genital pain)?
73. Feeling uneasy in crowds ?
74. Feeling tranquil?
75. Never feeling close to another person?
76. Spells of terror or panic?
77. Getting into frequent arguments?
78. Having trust in other people?
79. Feeling nervous when you are left alone?
80. Others not giving you proper credit for your achievements?
81. Feeling so restless you couldn`t sit still?
82. Feelings of worthlessness?
83. Feeling it`s wonderful to be alive?
84. Feeling that people will take advantage of you if you let them?
85. Feeling full of energy?
86. Feeling of guilt?
87. The idea that something is wrong with your mind?
88. Feeling relaxed?
89. Forgetting to do something?
90. Feeling easily distracted?
91. Trouble making up your mind?
92. Forgetting where you have left something?
93. Feeling confused?

Please check through the questionnaire to make sure that you answered all relevant items.

We are planning to conduct a follow up study to investigate any possible improvement or worsening of your psychological state. We are also plannong to take some physiological measures to look for any predisposition in having bad reactions to Ecstasy!

Any personal details are strictly confidential and they will be used only for research purposes.

If you are willing to be contacted for the second part of the study, can you please leave your e-mail or tel. number below?

Tel:
e-mail:

MANY THANKS FOR TAKING PART IN THE STUDY!

If you have further comments to make, or wish to elaborate further on any points made above, please use this text box.