Sex Differences in Addict Careers. 1. Initiation of Use

Abstract

Five-hundred-sixty-seven heroin addicts admitted to methadone maintenance treatment programs in southern California were included in the present analysis. Systematic comparisons were made between women and men for Anglo and Chicano subpopulations. The behaviors compared focused on initial drug use and other antecedent behaviors during the year prior to initiation of heroin use including interpersonal relationships, other substance use, drug dealing, legal income, and various criminal behaviors. Unlike men, the initial use of heroin by women was highly influenced by a man, especially by a sex partner who is often a daily heroin user. On the other hand, many women (like men) reported self-initiation of heroin use, multiple drug use, and drug dealing, thus demonstrating that they took an active role in their drug involvement. Other differences between men and women for antecedent behaviors prior to narcotics use appear to be related to traditional expectations about gender roles in American society.

Psychosocial predictors of AIDS risk behavior and drug use behavior in homeless and drug addicted women of color.

“…The finding that drug use behavior was predicted by high threat appraisal and avoidant coping for both groups is supported by other researchers who report that impoverished women cope with stresses by using drugs (Hser, Anglin, & McGlothlin, 1987;Reed & Moise, 1987). However, higher acculturation was also a predictor for drug use and risky AIDS behavior among Latinas.…”

Perceived Factors Influencing the Initiation of Drug and Alcohol Use Among Homeless Women and Reported Consequences of Use

“…Studies examining gender differences in drug use initiation reported that women were introduced to drug use by an intimate partner and that their continued usage is linked to maintaining the intimate relationship (Henderson, Boyd & Mieczkowski, 1994;Hser et al, 1987a). In contrast, findings in this study indicate that women, like male counterparts in other research, describe the general social environment as more influential in drug use initiation, rather than involvement with a particular intimate partner.…”

“…Nearly one-fourth of Anglo women and over half of the Chicana women in a methadone maintenance program stated that their initiation into drug use was due to a spouse or common-law partner using drugs daily (Hser, Anglin & McGlothlin, 1987a). Drug use has also been seen as a coping mechanism, particularly for women, to counteract life strains and stresses, and has been associated with perceived lack of control, low self-esteem, dependency, social isolation and poor socialization of women in society (Anglin, Hser, & Booth, 1987;Hser, Anglin, & Booth, 1987b;Miller et al, 1989).…”

Characteristics of male and female injecting drug users of the AjUDE-Brasil II Project

“…On the other hand, significant differences in how drugs and syringes were obtained, both recently at the interview as well as at the time of first injection, could suggest a more dependent and passive role for female IDUs 19 .…”

“…From the point of view of behavior, sociocultural context can influence whether protection is used in sexual relations 21,22 . Some studies point out the difficulty in negotiating with a partner, confidence in fidelity, and romanticism of unconditional surrender, as factors that amplify risk conditions for women, increasing their vulnerability 19,20,23,24 .…”