Young women's recreational drug use in Aotearoa

Abstract

<p>Uncovering the nuances within twelve young women’s experiences with recreational drugs, this exploratory study focuses on drug use as a journey. Following Buchanan’s (2008) definition of recreational drug use, the participants had experience with drugs including cannabis, MDMA and LSD. Exploring how typical use presents itself, how this may have changed over time and the motivations behind using recreational drugs, this research was approached through the lens of feminist standpoint theory and used the qualitative method of semi-structured interviews. Using Braun and Clarke’s (2006, 2020) thematic analysis, key themes included social influence, setting specific influence and individual change over time. Led by varied motivations, different recreational drugs were favoured in different spaces, with the overarching construct of gender appearing inescapable for participants in this study. The most popular settings for recreational drug use appeared to be those within the night-time economy, with MDMA the key drug used in these settings. Cannabis was mainly used at home and at house parties, with and LSD being used in outside/tranquil spaces e.g. on weekends away. With applications to social bond theory (Hirschi, 1969), the normalisation thesis (Measham et al., 1994) and life course theory (Sampson & Laub, 1993), this study applied a modern lens to these traditional theories. Finding differentiated normalisation within young women’s friend groups, strong friendship bonds encouraged recreational drug use, moving away from more traditional social bonds such as employment as the most important influences in early adulthood. Life course theorising was also an important consideration in understanding age-specific bonds and the changes experienced over time by study participants. Overall findings indicated that young women who use recreational drugs do so with agency as well as considering harm reduction advice from peers as well as organisations like ‘KnowYourStuff’.</p>

A scoping review of Aotearoa New Zealand women's experiences of substance use, alcohol and drug services

“…Excessive alcohol use and binge drinking are common among women from Aotearoa, regardless of their ethnicity (Gray & Nosa, 2009;Pedersen, 2019;Stuart, 2009). Many women had their first experiences with AODs in their pre-teen or early-adolescent years, and some learned drinking and drug-use behaviour from their whānau at home, from partners, or from friends in social settings (Gibson & Hutton, 2021;Gray & Nosa, 2009;Handa, 2006;Morrison et al, 2021;Streatfield, 2022;Stuart, 2009;Vaughan, 1996). Women tend to use substances with similar groups of people at similar times and places, such as nightclubs, and parties (Gray & Nosa, 2009;Handa, 2006;Ramsay, 2014;Streatfield, 2022).…”

“…Many women had their first experiences with AODs in their pre-teen or early-adolescent years, and some learned drinking and drug-use behaviour from their whānau at home, from partners, or from friends in social settings (Gibson & Hutton, 2021;Gray & Nosa, 2009;Handa, 2006;Morrison et al, 2021;Streatfield, 2022;Stuart, 2009;Vaughan, 1996). Women tend to use substances with similar groups of people at similar times and places, such as nightclubs, and parties (Gray & Nosa, 2009;Handa, 2006;Ramsay, 2014;Streatfield, 2022). The setting can also determine social pressures to drink, such as in the case of Māori women who may face isolation if they do not attend social gatherings like at sports clubs where they are pressured to drink (Stuart, 2009).…”

“…Substance use can lead to increased risks such as arguments, fights, unsafe sexual behaviour, sexual harassment, rape and sexual abuse as well as blackouts and memory loss (Gray & Nosa, 2009;Pedersen, 2019). Consequently, some women reported drinking and drug taking with other women to minimise risks (Gray & Nosa, 2009;Ramsay, 2014;Streatfield, 2022). However, some women reported that methamphetamine use could lead to antisocial behaviour and isolation when they stopped sharing the drug with friends (Handa, 2006).…”

“…Several studies noted that male partners or associates often influenced women's access to drugs and substance use (Gibson & Hutton, 2021;Spirrett, 1997;Streatfield, 2022). Women's choices were limited by the preferences of men in their lives (Spirrett, 1997).…”

“…Four of the 16 studies highlighted women's attempts to challenge male-dominated conditions or societal norms (Gibson & Hutton, 2021;Pedersen, 2019;Streatfield, 2022;Vaughan, 1996). Women in one study engaged in recreational drug use, defying the expectation that only men engage in risk-taking behaviours or use illicit drugs (Streatfield, 2022).…”