Career dynamics of female heroin addicts

Heroin use histories and related institutional involvements were obtained from 30 female heroin addicts. Presence of intimate (vs casual) companions at first heroin use strongly differentiated subsequent high vs low consumption patterns. Intimate others were precipitants in 60% of all treatment episodes; the duration of such episodes was nearly double that for self-precipitated admissions. Concurrent familial determinants were indicated in virtually all accounts of current consumption patterns. It is concluded that romantic/kinship units and liasons of female addicts are an important focus for research, policy, and therapeutic interest.