Research project Illicit substance use in a new world: About individuals, drug effects, and social contexts
An Ethnographic Exploration of the Meanings of Illegal Substances in Three Contemporary Contexts - Psychedelic Self-Development, rave culture, and bar- and nightlife.
The use of illegal substances has been steadily increasing over the past two decades, reaching historically high levels. However, there is limited knowledge about individuals who use drugs like ecstasy, cocaine, and hallucinogens due to Swedish restrictive drug policies that discourage their participation in research. In media and political debates, these users are often referred to as "party drug users" or consumers who contribute to the illegal drug market, which is frequently discussed in moralizing terms.
This dissertation project is based on observations in contexts where illegal substances are consumed, and interviews with individuals who frequent these environments: a retreat where psilocybin is used for personal development, rave dancefloors associated with ecstasy, MDMA, and ketamine use, and bar settings where cocaine and amphetamines are used alongside alcohol.
The study aims to uncover the meaning that drug users themselves attach to these substances, how they serve different functions in various contexts, and what activities they engage in while under the influence of drugs.
Project description
The project is based on three sub-studies in different contexts: psychedelic self-development, rave culture, and bar and nightlife.
Psychedelic self-development
A participatory observational study at a retreat in the Netherlands where psilocybin is consumed during psychologist-led sessions. Observations aim to capture what happens and what is said during the retreat, the functions of psilocybin, and participants' expectations and purposes for attending.
Rave culture
This sub-study combines participatory observations at a rave with interviews with individuals who attend raves. Observations focus on rituals and interactions surrounding substance use and the environment's conditions for using them. Interviews explore experiences of substance use, what these experiences mean, and how they are managed in everyday life.
Bar setting
Sub-study 3 is based on individual interviews with individuals who use illegal substances in bar environments. Interviews explore similar themes to those in sub-study 2.
The project has been approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Dnr 2022-05189-01)
Project members
Project managers
Jesper Dunell
PhD student
