Tabitha E H Moses1, Jamey J Lister1,2, Mark K Greenwald1,3. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. 2. School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. 3. Department of Pharmacy Practice, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Studies have identified differential substance use patterns by racial groups. One of the most commonly reported differences is a higher rate of injection drug use (IDU) among Non-Hispanic Whites compared to African Americans, but this is complicated by factors related to IDU (e.g., earlier drug-use initiation) that overlap with being White. OBJECTIVE: We explored differential substance use-patterns by racial groups within a sample of injection heroin users. METHODS: Substance-use data were collected from 373 not-in-treatment heroin users who endorsed any lifetime injection use (69.4% male). We examined differences in substance-use patterns (e.g., age of initiation, gateway adherence) by racial groups. Multiple t-tests with Bonferroni correction were conducted to understand which demographic and substance-use characteristics varied by racial groups. RESULTS: Relative to Non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans (45.8% of sample) were more likely to start using heroin earlier in their life, but also more likely to experience a longer delay between starting and regularly using heroin. We also identified differences in the degree of (injection) heroin-use consequences by racial groups. After correcting for multiple comparisons and controlling for age and gender, we observed differences for six substance-use and demographic characteristics by racial group. White participants were younger, started cocaine use earlier, and experienced more heroin-use consequences across two separate domains. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for injection use, we observed differential substance-use characteristics by racial groups. The findings could be used to develop targeted prevention and harm-reduction strategies.
BACKGROUND: Studies have identified differential substance use patterns by racial groups. One of the most commonly reported differences is a higher rate of injection drug use (IDU) among Non-Hispanic Whites compared to African Americans, but this is complicated by factors related to IDU (e.g., earlier drug-use initiation) that overlap with being White. OBJECTIVE: We explored differential substance use-patterns by racial groups within a sample of injection heroin users. METHODS: Substance-use data were collected from 373 not-in-treatment heroin users who endorsed any lifetime injection use (69.4% male). We examined differences in substance-use patterns (e.g., age of initiation, gateway adherence) by racial groups. Multiple t-tests with Bonferroni correction were conducted to understand which demographic and substance-use characteristics varied by racial groups. RESULTS: Relative to Non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans (45.8% of sample) were more likely to start using heroin earlier in their life, but also more likely to experience a longer delay between starting and regularly using heroin. We also identified differences in the degree of (injection) heroin-use consequences by racial groups. After correcting for multiple comparisons and controlling for age and gender, we observed differences for six substance-use and demographic characteristics by racial group. White participants were younger, started cocaine use earlier, and experienced more heroin-use consequences across two separate domains. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for injection use, we observed differential substance-use characteristics by racial groups. The findings could be used to develop targeted prevention and harm-reduction strategies.
Authors: Crystal M Fuller; Luisa N Borrell; Carl A Latkin; Sandro Galea; Danielle C Ompad; Steffanie A Strathdee; David Vlahov Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2005-04 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Michael M Vanyukov; Ralph E Tarter; Galina P Kirillova; Levent Kirisci; Maureen D Reynolds; Mary Jeanne Kreek; Kevin P Conway; Brion S Maher; William G Iacono; Laura Bierut; Michael C Neale; Duncan B Clark; Ty A Ridenour Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2012-01-18 Impact factor: 4.492