‘Never drop without your significant other, cause that way lies ruin’: The boundary work of couples who use MDMA together

Anderson, Katie; Reavey, Paula; Boden, Zoë

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.05.004

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 61 publications

(66 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…An overarching theme was the role of peers in sharing information, both in-person and online, and fostering a culture of care. These findings were consistent with international literature (Anderson et al, 2019; Hunt et al, 2010; Van Havere et al, 2015; Van Schipstal et al, 2016). Some researchers have also interpreted online technologies, including peer forums, as an opportunity for AOD organizations and governments to capitalize on the possibility of circulating more precise, preventative messages in the hope of disseminating credible drug safety information and health warnings to people who could benefit (Adley et al, 2023; Barratt et al, 2014; Duff et al, 2007; Gascoigne et al, 2004; Measham, 2019; Measham & Turnbull, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

A Scoping Review of Australian Literature on People Who Use MDMA and Their Harm Reduction Practices

Span,

Farah,

Ivetìc

et al. 2023

Contemporary Drug Problems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Discourses around MDMA are often predominantly concerned with identifying risk and characterizing harm. Reluctance from Australian governments to reform drug policy and implement harm reduction services has created a policy and service gap, and it is therefore pertinent to consider how people who use MDMA mediate potential harms, and how this knowledge can inform approaches to drug use and policy reform. This community-led scoping review aimed to identify Australian literature on the practices of harm reduction strategies by people who use MDMA. Methods: Seven topic-specific and multidisciplinary databases were searched in February 2023 in line with conventional scoping review methodology. Eligible articles were published from 2002 onwards, reported on the voices of people who use MDMA as primary evidence within the context of Australia, and included at least one strategy to reduce harm. Data were analyzed by drawing on conventional content analysis and thematic analysis frameworks. Results: Twenty-three peer-reviewed and gray literature sources were included. Five key themes were identified on how people mediate harms and enhance the pleasurable aspects of MDMA use: drug consumption practices, planning and preparation, testing drugs, accessing health services, and community care practices. Conclusion: The results suggest that people who use MDMA take care to identify and reduce unwanted harms. The way people who use MDMA make decisions around drugs is mediated by peer groups and online technologies, as well as broader social and cultural contexts of drug use and drug prohibition. More qualitative, participatory, and action research projects are recommended to accurately reflect the views and needs of people who use MDMA and meaningfully shape service reform.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

A Scoping Review of Australian Literature on People Who Use MDMA and Their Harm Reduction Practices

Span,

Farah,

Ivetìc

et al. 2023

Contemporary Drug Problems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In a similar vein, many aspects of the couples' experiences bore resemblance to couples who had taken MDMA together (Anderson et al, 2018(Anderson et al, , 2019, such as the carving out of special time for the experience, the distance to everyday routines, and feelings of closeness/oneness with the partner. Both classic psychedelic drugs and MDMA have been found to increase feelings of trust, openness, and unity, while reducing fear avoidance (Dolder et al, 2016;Krediet et al, 2020;MacLean et al, 2011;Mason et al, 2020;Preller & Vollenweider, 2019), an essential factor in establishing therapeutic alliance in the clinical context.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…The psychostimulant 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a prototypical entactogen characterized by its ability to induce acute feelings of sociability (Regan et al, 2021) and heightened emotional empathy (for a comprehensive review see Preller & Vollenweider, 2019). A qualitative study by Anderson et al (2018Anderson et al ( , 2019 illustrates how shared MDMA experiences serve as practices of intimacy; enabling couples to intensify their emotional connection while fuelling a sense of intimacy which extends into everyday life. The authors argued that the innate pro-social effects of MDMA were enhanced by (ritualistic) practices the couples engaged in, such as coupling MDMA use with special occasions, tidying/decorating their environment, or mentally preparing themselves via meditation.…”

Section: Altered States Of Consciousness In Romantic Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychedelic Intimacy: Altered States of Consciousness in Romantic Relationships

Neubert,

Anderson,

Mason

2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: Engaging in practices of intimacy meant to develop and sustain intimacy can be beneficial for couples. Psychoactive substances such as 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) have shown to facilitate bonding within couples and it is hypothesised that classic psychedelics, due to their property to increase prosocial behaviours, can similarly promote interactional intimacy. This study explores shared experiences of altered states of consciousness within romantic couples and their impact on intimacy in relationships. Participants: Twelve participants (six couples) between 19 and 29 years of age who had used psychedelics with their current partner, were recruited. Method: Qualitative data was gathered via simultaneous interviews with both members of a couple. The semi-structured interviews featured an in-depth exploration of multiple shared psychedelic experiences. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyse the resulting transcripts. Results: Three primary themes with multiple secondary themes were identified, portraying couple’s experiences during psychedelic-induced altered states of consciousness: navigating anxiety (novelty, preparation, shifting environment, and calming presence), reshaping practices (excessive worrying, spirited discussions, and straight talking), and encountering bliss (meeting the unexpected, the beauty around us, leaving the everyday behind, and breaking through). Conclusions: Couples’ experiences with classic psychedelics align with criteria for interactional intimacy (self-exposure, positive involvement, and shared understanding), but their distinct nature warrants a novel definition of psychedelic intimacy. The unique pair bonding during shared psychedelic experiences could be utilized by psychedelic-assisted couple’s therapy.

show abstract

“…To date, the only research conducted on the use of empathogenic agents in couples therapy has involved MDMA (3,. Anderson, Reavey, and Boden (2019) collected first hand data through interviews and diary entries from couples who ingested MDMA together recreationally in order to gain insight and further explore possible psychedelic healing aspects. Data analysis from 14 participants concluded that an emphasis on ritualizing the use of MDMA and creating specific boundaries for the experience provided safety and value for each partner's needs.…”

Section: Psychedelic-assisted Couples Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring effects and experiences of ketamine in group couples therapy

Cornfield,

McBride,

La Torre

et al. 2024

JPS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThis study contributes to the understanding of the efficacy, safety, and experience of ketamine-assisted therapy. The paper documents how individuals describe the effects of a protocolized and personalized use of ketamine (‘the relational dose’) in the context of group couples therapy based on Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT). Little is known about simultaneously administering ketamine to both members of a couple in this context, and no research to date has been published on whether ketamine facilitates couples to better engage in and benefit from the therapeutic process. The paper includes both qualitative and quantitative results.MethodThe study utilized a mixed methods approach. One approach was an inductive content analysis that produced overarching themes gleaned from participants' check-ins pre and post their weekly ketamine sessions. Transcripts were examined to better understand ketamine's effects on couples' ability to engage in therapeutic dialogue and resolve challenging relationship issues, as well as themes related to the non-ordinary-state-of-consciousness (NOSC) experience. The second approach involved the analysis of pre-test, post-test, and follow-up data from the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI).ResultsThe couples described a wide range of effects that ketamine produced in the context of their relational dialoguing including: empathogenic effects, mystical/spiritual/psychedelic experiences, anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. They also affirmed ketamine's ability to generate alternative perspectives, promote insight, heighten awareness, enhance vulnerability and communication, lower defenses, and produce novel somatic experiences. Participants' description of ketamine effects included its short duration, rapid onset, idiosyncratic sensitivity to dose, cumulative effects, as well as transient and mild side-effects. Several t-tests were statistically significant, and indicated improved relationship satisfaction following the treatment.ConclusionIn the context of couples therapy, ketamine produced a wide range of therapeutic effects and possessed unique pharmacological properties as a rapid-acting novel psychoactive molecule. The drug may have profound therapeutic benefits when administered in the context of couples therapy, under clinical supervision, however more research should be carried out.

show abstract

‘Never drop without your significant other, cause that way lies ruin’: The boundary work of couples who use MDMA together

Cited by 8 publications

References 61 publications

A Scoping Review of Australian Literature on People Who Use MDMA and Their Harm Reduction Practices

A Scoping Review of Australian Literature on People Who Use MDMA and Their Harm Reduction Practices

Psychedelic Intimacy: Altered States of Consciousness in Romantic Relationships

Exploring effects and experiences of ketamine in group couples therapy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About