MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) Use Among African Americans: Patterns of Initiation

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy/molly) use among African Americans has increased over the last two decades, yet there has been little examination into how African Americans initiate their use of the drug. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by exploring the initiation experiences of African Americans and their narrative accounts of the circumstances surrounding their MDMA onset. Audiotapes of in-depth interviews were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Analyses revealed the presence of initiation patterns that contrast somewhat with those found in other groups of MDMA users. This study adds to the limited research on African American MDMA use and sheds light on why some African Americans decide to start using the drug. The findings provide insights to prevention specialists, harm reduction workers, and treatment providers who work with African American drug users.