Abstract

Since the Nineties there has been an increase in the use of drugs at public and private parties. The consumption as well as the consumers cannot be allocated to precise youth groups or other subcultures as in the past, and the habits of consumption are more differentiated. These aspects reflect general tendencies of social change which lead in the direction of individualization and pluralisation in the way of life. Young people often consume drugs without being conscious that they are practicing something illegal. Drug (ab)use in these cases is an expression of a pleasure- and experience-seeking lifestyle, with problems and pathological patterns among certain groups of consumers. This review traces the causes, the patterns of consumption and the purpose of party-drug(ab)use in an interdisciplinary sociological-psychological analysis. The terms “party-drugs” and “designer-drugs” need to be explained. We will then focus on “Ecstasy”, at present the most common so-called designer drug. The effects of this substance will be described with regard to the (medical/ psychiatric) risks and dangers of consumption. This is followed by a short insight into cultural and historical patterns and tendencies of consumption concerning the (ab)use of illegal drugs during the last 30 years. Psychological considerations on the function of drug (ab)use during adolescent development is the next theme. Finally, we will focus on common environmental aspects (Techno-generation) as well as typical groups of drug (ab)users.

Author Details

Authors

• H. Gerhard

Departments

• Beratungszentrum Grünberg, Grünberg, Germany

Address

H. Gerhard, MA; Beratungszentrum Grünberg, Alsfelder Straße 8, 35305 Grünberg, Germany
Email: [email protected]

Citation