NCJ Number
200599
Journal
Addiction Volume: 98 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2003 Pages: 199-204
Date Published
February 2003
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study examined the correlates, context, and risk perceptions regarding gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) overdose among a sample of recreational GHB users in Australia.
Abstract
The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 76 GHB users who were administered a structured interview on GHB use. They were asked a series of questions that focused on whether they had ever experienced a GHB overdose, the context of their most recent GHB overdose, and their perceptions of the risks of GHB overdose. The interviewers found that the 76 GHB users had not had a long or extensive experience with GHB use. Still, 53 percent had experienced a GHB overdose. This sample of GHB users were apparently well-educated, employed, and had a history of either drug treatment or incarceration. In comparing the GHB users who had or had not overdosed, there were no differences in sociodemographic characteristics, extent of other drug use, or typical patterns of other drug use when using GHB; however, those who had overdosed on GHB had used it more often during their life-time, and they had been using it for a longer period of time. There were no apparent factors that distinguished an overdose risk situation, other than a tendency for those who had overdosed to be celebrating a special event of some type. The findings suggest that harm-minimization messages might be targeted toward those periods in which celebrations are likely to occur. Notably, one-third of those who had overdosed thought that they would do so again, and most of those who had never overdosed thought they had a 1-percent chance or less of ever doing so. Different harm-minimization messages might be needed for these different groups, given their differing risk perceptions. 3 tables and 16 references