Electronic Music Events (EME) are large music festivals in which many use drugs and alcohol. One study found that 43% of young adults who attend EME reported lifetime MDMA use. Social norms may provide some insight into why college students report more drug and alcohol use compared to other age groups. College students’ perceptions of how much drugs and alcohol their peers use tends to be inaccurate. However, these misconceptions greatly influence their behavior. Perceived parental attitudes can also influence young adults’ drug and alcohol behaviors. This study examines college student social norms and club drug use during EME.  

The study’s sample consisted of 200 undergraduate students from a large private Southeastern university who participated in Music Week events in Southern Florida. Participants were asked how many days during a typical week they believe their peers use club drugs (behavioral norms), how acceptable it is for a peer to use club drugs (attitudes), and how acceptable their parent thinks it is for a college student to use club drugs (perceived parental attitudes). The club drugs that were assessed were GHB, X/ecstasy/MDMA/Molly, Ketamine, LSD, and methamphetamine. Lastly, substance use consequences were assessed using a modified version of the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ20). Data was analyzed using logistic and negative binomial regressions.  

Results of the data showed that 5% of students used club drugs during a typical week and 7% used club drugs during EME. Club drug use during a typical week was significantly correlated to attitudes but not behavioral norms or perceived parental attitudes. Club drug use during EME was significantly associated to attitudes but not behavioral norms or perceived parental attitudes. Lastly, alcohol and drug related consequences were significantly related to attitudes but not behavioral norms or perceived parental attitudes.  

Takeaway: Attitudes towards drug and alcohol use may provide predictive value when assessing club drug use and alcohol and drug related consequences.  

McCabe, B.E., McConaha, C.D., Falcon, A.L.. Social norms and club drug use of young adult college students during Music Week [published online ahead of print, 2022 Jun 17]. Journal of Addictive Diseases. 2022;1-7. doi:10.1080/10550887.2022.2086424