Residential Proximity to Electronic Dance Music Nightclubs and Associations With Substance Use, Sexual Behaviors, and Related Problems

• Date: 01 January 2018
• Published date: 01 January 2018
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042617726075
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042617726075

Journal of Drug Issues

2018, Vol. 48(1) 4 –16

© The Author(s) 2017

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DOI: 10.1177/0022042617726075

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Article

Residential Proximity to Electronic

Dance Music Nightclubs and

Associations With Substance Use,

Sexual Behaviors, and Related

Problems

Mance E. Buttram1, Maria E. Pagano2, and Steven P. Kurtz1

Abstract

This study examines the association between proximity of place of residence to preferred

nightclub and substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and related problems, among a sample

of 498 young adult substance users in Miami who report regular nightclub participation.

Hierarchal linear models and logistic regressions were constructed to examine the impact of

residential proximity to preferred nightclub on risk behaviors. Compared with participants

residing in closer proximity to their preferred nightclub, participants residing further away

reported higher intensities of alcohol and cocaine use (p < .01), greater condomless vaginal

sex frequencies (p < .001), and more substance dependence symptoms (p < .05). Conversely,

participants residing in closer proximity to their preferred nightclub had higher likelihood of

arrest history (p < .05) than participants residing further away. Results suggest that participants

residing further from their preferred nightclubs may be more invested in the nightclub outing

and, therefore, engage in more risk behaviors.

Keywords

substance use, electronic dance music, sexual behavior, club drugs

Introduction

The electronic dance music (EDM) nightclub scene is found in almost every large city, but is

especially prevalent in major tourist destinations, including Miami, where people tend to look for

an escape from their routines (Owen, 2003; Shister, 1999; Uriely & Belhassen, 2006). Ecstasy is

a popular drug in the EDM nightclub scene, but use of other “club drugs” (e.g., powder cocaine,

methamphetamine, ketamine, rohypnol, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid [GHB], lysergic acid dieth-

ylamide [LSD], and marijuana) is also prevalent and has tended to vary over time and location

(Byrnes, Miller, Johnson, & Voas, 2014; Kelly, LeClair, & Parsons, 2013; Measham, Aldridge, &

Parker, 2001; Miller, Byrnes, Branner, Voas, & Johnson, 2013; Reynolds, 1998; Sanders, 2006;

Shacham & Cottler, 2010). The nonmedical use of prescription medications has also become

1Nova Southeastern University, Miami, FL, USA

2Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

Corresponding Author:

Mance E. Buttram, Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern

University, 7255 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 112, Miami, FL 33138, USA.

Email: mance.buttram@nova.edu

726075JODXXX10.1177/0022042617726075Journal of Drug IssuesButtram et al.

research-article2017