Combining Different Substances in the Dance Scene: Enhancing Pleasure,Managing Risk and Timing Effects

Abstract

Combining mind-altering substances, whether illegal or legal, has provoked calls of alarm and concern among drug researchers for over thirty years. Since then numerous studies have been conducted to trace the different prevalent combinations and emphasize the serious consequences for individuals who use two or more drugs at any given time. Recently, this concern has been heightened as a result of the evidence that polydrug use among young people is increasing, especially among those who attend electronic music dance parties. The aim of this paper is to explore the different drug combinations used by a group of young people who attend raves, clubs and dance parties in the San Francisco Bay Area. Based on in-depth interviews with 300 young people we explore not only the different substances combined, but the meanings given as to why such combinations are chosen. In exploring our respondents' accounts, we hope to highlight both the thinking behind their drug using practices and the range of procedures adopted by young people to enhance the pleasures they hope to achieve in taking different substances, and control any potential problems.