Bingeing on Psychostimulants in Australia: Do we Know What it Means (And Does it Matter)?

Abstract

Bingeing on psychostimulants, considered to be the most hazardous pattern of use, is usually characterised as repeated use over several days involving the administration of high doses by injection. Drug users recruited from a variety of sources were asked what they meant by bingeing. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were undertaken. The dimensions of bingeing are reported. Opportunity, drug related cues and psychological factors operate as cues to commence and cease bingeing. Polydrug use and injecting drug use appear to be salient characteristics of drug users who binge. It is concluded that bingeing is a more complex and variable phenomenon than previously thought, and should be considered in developing harm reduction strategies.

Key Words:

• Youth
• drug use
• psychostimulants
• patterns of use
• bingeing
• qualitative research
• harm reduction