Objective
Previous research suggests that the use of drugs such as methamphetamine, cannabis, and ecstasy may be associated with the experience of clinical levels of paranoid ideation. Regular ecstasy consumers are typically polydrug users and there is some evidence that psychopathological symptoms experienced by this group are more strongly associated with personal characteristics and use of other substances, such as cannabis, rather than being solely reflective of ecstasy use. Thus, the aim of the present research was to investigate correlates of sub-clinical paranoid ideation among a sample of regular ecstasy consumers.

Methods
200 regular (at least monthly) ecstasy users were interviewed for the 2007 and 2008 Ecstasy and Related Drug Reporting System (EDRS) in Tasmania. Paranoid ideation was assessed using a Paranoia Scale developed for use in subclinical populations (Fenigstein & Vanable, 1992). Comparisons between subgroups identified on the basis of increasing scores on the Paranoia scale were made in terms of demographic characteristics, recent drug use, and self-reported experience of mental health problems.

Results/Conclusions
Levels of subclinical paranoid ideation among this sample of regular ecstasy users were compared to a sample of non-ecstasy consuming undergraduate students at the University of Tasmania as well as other normative samples. Elevated levels of paranoid ideation were associated demographic characteristics such as male sex, younger age; substance use patterns such as frequency and quantity of ecstasy use, frequency of cannabis use, and binge drug use, and current experience of mental health problems.