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Sex differences in addict careers. 2. Becoming addicted
M D Anglin1, Y I Hser, W H McGlothlin
1Department of Psychology, University of California at Los Angeles 90024.
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Women develop heroin addiction faster than men, with over 25% of addicts becoming dependent within one month. Other addiction behaviors showed similarities across sexes, aligning with traditional gender roles.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Sex differences in substance abuse
- Narcotics use and addiction
Background:
- Understanding the timeline of addiction development is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research has indicated potential sex-based variations in substance addiction trajectories.
- Heroin addiction presents significant public health challenges, necessitating detailed analysis of its onset and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-based differences in the time taken to develop heroin addiction after initial narcotics use.
- To explore whether patterns of narcotic use differ by sex during the addiction career.
- To examine sex differences in associated behaviors such as interpersonal relationships, substance use, and criminal activity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 546 heroin addicts.
- Categorization of addiction development period (within 1 month vs. longer than 1 month).
- Comparison of demographic, substance use, and behavioral patterns between male and female addicts within ethnic groups (Anglo, Chicano).
Main Results:
- Approximately 25% of studied heroin addicts developed addiction within one month of initial use.
- Women were more likely than men to become addicted within one month and, on average, took less time to develop addiction.
- For the majority with longer addiction development periods, narcotic use patterns did not significantly differ by sex within ethnic groups.
- Differences in interpersonal relationships, other substance use, drug dealing, employment, and criminal behaviors between sexes aligned with traditional sex role expectations.
Conclusions:
- Women exhibit a faster trajectory to heroin addiction compared to men.
- While the initial phase of addiction development shows sex differences, long-term narcotic use patterns may be more similar across sexes within specific ethnic groups.
- Observed behavioral differences between male and female addicts reflect societal gender role expectations.