The summer festival season has arrived, and while many attendees see drugs and alcohol as part of the experience, their drug safety awareness and practices vary. Our latest study examines the substance consumption habits of music festival-goers, revealing what they use, how much they consume, and the precautions they take.
This article explains our key findings, including substance preferences across different music genres and specific festivals, the prevalence of drug testing, and attitudes toward safety initiatives. Our analysis offers valuable insights into current trends and potential strategies for improving safety at these popular events.
Whether you’re a festival-goer, event organizer, or concerned observer, here’s a comprehensive look at the relationship between music festivals and substance use.
Key Takeaways
- 3 in 4 music festival attendees report using a substance at music festivals.
- Rap and reggae fans are the most likely to consume alcohol at music festivals (80%).
- EDM fans are the most likely to use drugs at music festivals (37%).
- Over 1 in 5 music festival attendees have witnessed alcohol poisoning and/or a drug overdose at these events. Nearly 1 in 12 have blacked out due to alcohol.
- Fewer than 3 in 10 music festival attendees who use drugs at music festivals test them prior to use, and only 1 in 4 are aware of on-site drug testing services.
- 62% of music festival attendees would support drug-free initiatives.
Substance Use Patterns at Music Festivals
- 3 in 4 music festival attendees report using a substance at music festivals.
- Reggae, hip-hop, and rap fans are the most likely to do so (84%).
- Classical music fans are the least likely to do so (65%).
- Alcohol is the most consumed substance at music festivals (72%); marijuana is the next most common (32%).
- Rap and reggae fans are the most likely to consume alcohol (80%).
- Reggae fans are the most likely to use marijuana (47%).
- EDM fans are the most likely to use MDMA (21%), mushrooms (18%), LSD (13%), Adderall (9%), and cocaine (8%).
- Governors Ball attendees are the most likely to use alcohol (86%).
- Burning Man attendees are the most likely to use marijuana (44%) and mushrooms (19%).
- Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) attendees are the most likely to use MDMA (27%), LSD (17%), and Adderall (10%).
- Ultra Music Festival attendees are the most likely to use cocaine (8%).
- On average, music attendees using substances at music festivals spend $200 on them ($111 on drugs and $89 on alcohol).
- On average, Rolling Loud attendees spend the most on drugs ($219).
- The most common precautions taken by festival attendees using substances are staying hydrated (65%), eating regularly (50%), and staying with friends/family (43%).
- Over 1 in 5 music festival attendees have witnessed alcohol poisoning and/or a drug overdose while there; nearly 1 in 12 have blacked out themselves due to alcohol.
- 7% of music festival attendees have witnessed stomach pumping due to alcohol overconsumption at a music festival.
- 2% of music festival attendees have needed to seek medical attention due to alcohol overconsumption at a music festival.
Drug Testing Practices and Awareness at Music Events
- Less than 3 in 10 music festival attendees using drugs test them prior to use, and only 1 in 4 are aware of on-site drug testing services.
- Ultra Music Festival attendees (53%), Governors Ball attendees (45%), and EDC attendees (44%) are the most likely to test their drugs before use.
- EDC attendees are the most likely to be aware of on-site drug testing services (49%).
Promoting Safer Music Festivals
- 38% of music festival attendees feel drug use at music festivals has increased, while only 8% feel it has decreased.
- Burning Man attendees were most likely to report an increase (55%).
- Governors Ball attendees were most likely to report a decrease (16%).
- Nearly 9 in 10 music festival attendees believe there should be more harm reduction services on-site, and 4 in 5 feel this would reduce overall substance harm.
- 62% of music festival attendees would support drug-free initiatives (no drugs allowed at festivals).
Methodology
For this study, we surveyed 1,006 Americans who reported attending a music festival in the last year about their substance use when attending.
About Boca Recovery Center
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