The relationship between cryptomarket drug purchase, social networks and adverse drug events: A cross-sectional study

Leigh Coney*, Amy Peacock, Aili Malm, Rasmus Munksgaard, Judith Aldridge, Jason A. Ferris, Larissa J. Maier, Adam R. Winstock, Monica J. Barratt

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

11 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction: Drug use and trading are typically social activities; however, supply through cryptomarkets can occur without any in-person social contact. People who use drugs alone may be at higher risk of experiencing harms, for example, due to lack of others who may call for emergency assistance. Alternatively, cryptomarkets may be a source of harm reduction information and drugs with better-known content and dose, potentially reducing the risk of adverse events. This study examines relationships between cryptomarket use, drug-using social networks and adverse drug events for MDMA, cocaine and LSD. Method: A subsample of 23,053 respondents from over 70 countries was collected in the 2018 Global Drug Survey. People who reported using MDMA, cocaine or LSD were asked about using cryptomarkets to purchase these drugs; any adverse drug events requiring medical treatment (combining seeking treatment and should have sought treatment but did not); and social networks who they had used the specific drug with. All measures referred to the last 12 months, hereon referred to as ‘recent’. Binary logistic regressions examined relationships between cryptomarket use, drug-using social networks, and adverse drug events, controlling for age, gender, and frequency of drug use. Results: Adverse events from any drug type were low (5.2%) and for each drug; MDMA (3.5%); cocaine (3.3%); and LSD (3.5%). After controlling for covariates, recent cryptomarket use was associated with increased likelihood of having no drug-using network for each drug type. People who recently used cryptomarkets were more likely to report adverse cocaine (AOR = 1.70 (1.22-2.37)) and LSD (AOR = 1.58 (1.12-2.09)) events. For those reporting a network size >1, network characteristics did not differ with recent cryptomarket use; however, those reporting recent cryptomarket use were more likely to report adverse LSD events (AOR = 1.86 (0.99-3.51)). Conclusion: People who reported purchasing drugs from cryptomarkets more commonly reported having no drug-using network, and cryptomarket purchase was associated with reported adverse events. Our results support the notion that cryptomarket use increases drug-related harm, but further disentanglement of multiple complex mechanisms is needed in future research.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104258
JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy
Volume123
Number of pages9
ISSN0955-3959
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • Adverse drug events
  • Cryptomarkets
  • Social network analysis
  • Social networks

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The relationship between cryptomarket drug purchase, social networks and adverse drug events: A cross-sectional study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this