Drug literacy and motivational characteristics of emerging adults participating in the recreational use of psychoactive substances

Recreational use of psychoactive substances is a normative behaviour among emerging adults in cultures and societies throughout history. Normative behaviour refers to actions and attitudes that conform to expected standards or rules within a particular group or society (Bicchieri, 2006). It is the ‘normal’ or ‘acceptable’ way of doing things and are often followed without much thought as they represent the path of least resistance (Bicchieri, 2006). These behaviours align with established social norms or expectations within a group or society often driven by the desire to be accepted by others and gain social approval. Emerging adults engage in recreational psychoactive substance use to improve and enhance personal experiences. Harm reduction and health education programs for alcohol consumption exist; however, such programs are lacking for recreational psychoactive substance use. This study investigated the motivational characteristics of initiation of psychoactive substances, patterns of continued use, as well as the development of drug literacy and self-efficacy. Harm reduction practices used by emerging adults were also explored. Psychoactive substances are legal and illegal drugs taken for pleasure or other casual pastimes to induce a heightened or altered state of consciousness, through intoxicating effects (Crocq, 2007; Starobin et al., 2018). These substances affect the brain function leading to changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition or behaviour (Northern Territory Government, 2005; Sampaio et al., 2024). Psychoactive substances evaluated in this thesis included cannabis, cocaine, empathogens, prescription stimulants, methamphetamine, inhalants, sedatives, psychedelics (hallucinogens), dissociates, street opioids, prescription opioids, and other drugs (i.e. synthetic drugs, research chemicals). Alcohol and tobacco were not included as these substances are outside the scope of this thesis.

Emerging adults (aged 18-30) were recruited using online purposive and snowballing sampling. Three-hundred-and-fifty-six (356) emerging adults completed a cross-sectional survey utilising the validated NIDA-Modified ASSIST (2011) to investigate initiation to, and continued recreational use of, psychoactive substances. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was undertaken for quantitative data findings. Participants were invited to complete a qualitative interview if they completed the survey with 11 people completing a semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was used to explore in-depth perspectives and experiences of recreational drug use, drug literacy, and self-efficacy development. Data collected from both arms of the research were analysed independently and triangulated for overall integration, interpretation, and analysis.

Recreational drug use in emerging adults is driven by the desire to achieve positive intoxication effects to improve or enhance personal experiences. Peer influence, social environments, witnessing consumption among friends, and observing friends enjoying intoxication effects increased curiosity and recreational drug initiation. Set (individual’s mindset including expectations, mood, psychological state before use including mental health history) and setting (environment, physical and social factors) significantly influence substances consumed during and after the experimental period.

First-time encounters of recreational drug use were incidental and opportunistic. However, curiosity is an intrinsic motivating factor which preceded the exploratory behaviour of first-time encounters. The identified diversity in ages and sources of recreational drug initiation underscores the complex interplay of individual, social, and contextual factors. Initiation emerged during middle adolescence and developed into emerging adulthood. The age of initiation and patterns of continued use varied by sexual orientation and country of residence.

Psychoactive substance use was observed in a recreational context. The Theory of Planned Behaviour was used as a theoretical framework to underpin the study. The frame allowed contextualisation of how behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs influence initiation patterns, continued use, self-efficacy development, and drug literacy development among emerging adults. This study highlights the importance of set and setting particularly in relation to physical and social contexts shaping recreation drug use behaviours. These contexts influence the initiation and continuation of substance use, interventions can be more effectively tailored to address the specific needs and circumstances of emerging adults by acknowledging these factors.

This research provides new insights into the motivations of emerging adults to engage in recreational drug use, develop and improve self-efficacy. It underscores the need for targeted harm reduction and health education interventions that consider unique social and contextual factors of emerging adults. Policymakers and health educators can develop more effective strategies to mitigate the risks associated with RDU by understanding these factors. This will promote safer use behaviours and improve the well-being of emerging adults.