Patterns of Nonnarcotic Drug Use Among Male Narcotic Addicts

• NCJ Number: 102156
• Date Published: 1986
• Author(s): J W Shaffer; D N Nurco; J C Ball; T W Kinlock
• Length: 20 pages
• Grant Number(s): 82-IJ-CX-0031
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

Between July 1973 and January 1978, 354 male narcotic (principally heroin) addicts living in the Baltimore metropolitan area were interviewed to determine their use of nonnarcotic drugs during periods of active addiction and periods of nonaddiction.

Abstract

To be eligible for inclusion in the study, subjects must have used narcotics on at least 4 days a week for at least 1 month while in the community. A variety of nonnarcotic substances were used by the subjects. Both the types and amounts of nonnarcotic drugs used and the combinations in which they were used was a joint function of race (black or white) and narcotic addiction status (actively addicted or not addicted). Factor analysis revealed three major patterns of nonnarcotic drug use among blacks during periods of active narcotic addiction and three differing patterns during periods of nonaddiction. Among whites, four major patterns of nonnarcotic drug use were identified during periods of active narcotic addiction and five patterns during periods of nonaddiction. Subsequent applications of cluster analysis revealed several types of addicts, based on patterns of nonnarcotic drug use. 4 tables and 9 references. (Author abstract modified)