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Abstract All previous studies of the sub-acute effects of ecstasy have failed to adequately control for group differences in psychopathology and past and concurrent substance use. The present study was [...]

The aim of this article is to explore the prevalence of primary illicit stimulant use among people who enter drug treatment in Europe. Drawing on information provided by European Union treatment centres in 2009 (excluding Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Norway), the European Monitoring Centre for Drug and Drug Addiction showed data in relation to the analysis of two of the most problematic drugs: cocaine and stimulants other than cocaine. The analysis reached three conclusions: the primary use of stimulants (cocaine and amphetamines) among clients entering treatment appears to be widespread throughout Europe; stimulant use including different forms of stimulants varied from country to country and two geographical patterns emerge across Europe: North-Eastern European countries show high levels of prevalence of problematic use of amphetamines and methamphetamines, while South-Western countries report high levels of problematic use of cocaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecstasy (MDMA; 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has a well-recognized neurotoxic effect on central serotonergic (5-HT) systems in animals, and there is some evidence of persistent serotonergic dysregulation in human ecstasy users. Serotonin is believed to mediate impulsive behavior and effective decision-making. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate impulsive behavior and decision-making in abstinent regular ecstasy users. Three groups were compared: ‘ecstasy users’ (recreational ecstasy users who reported modest use of illicit drugs other than cannabis), ‘polydrug controls’ (ecstasy naïve illicit drug users), and ‘drug-naïve controls’. All participants completed personal details and general drug history questionnaires, the National Adult Reading Test, Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFF20), a risky decision-making task (RDMT), and the Card Arranging Reward Responsivity Objective Test (CARROT). The groups did not differ on the CARROT measure of responsiveness to financial incentive; however, the ecstasy group displayed significantly elevated MFF20 impulsivity, and showed reduced discrimination between magnitudes of prospective gains and losses when making risky decisions, compared to the ‘polydrug’ and ‘drug-naïve’ control groups. These findings may reflect a vulnerability of 5-HT systems in the orbital prefrontal cortex and interconnected corticolimbic circuitry to the cumulative neurotoxic effects of ecstasy and have clinical significance for regular ecstasy users. The combination of elevated impulsivity and impaired use of reinforcement cues in uncertain decision-making may comprise risk factors for continued drug abuse and everyday functioning.Neuropsychopharmacology (2006) 31, 1562–1573. doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1300953; published online 9 November 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]