Understanding Differences Between Heroin and Other Drug Users Among Individuals Entering Treatment

Heroin use rates have dramatically increased across the country in recent years. Kentucky has been particularly affected due in part to policies aimed at restricting the availability of prescription painkillers, resulting in making heroin more available and cheap. This study investigated differences between heroin users and nonheroin users in their social and demographic characteristics, previous substance use history, criminal justice involvement, and mental and physical health. Interviews were conducted as part of a pilot study with 60 individuals entering 2 substance abuse treatment facilities. Results indicate that in contrast to nonheroin users, heroin users were younger, fewer reported being married, they were more satisfied with living arrangements, and they had less previous criminal justice involvement. Heroin users also reported greater lifetime use of other substances (i.e., alcohol, other opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, and hallucinogens) and more engagement in high-risk substance-using behaviors (i.e., injection use) compared to nonheroin users. Findings indicate a novel type of heroin user with unique treatment needs. It is imperative that both prevention and treatment programs be available and tailored to those users, especially in rural areas, who are impoverished and underserved.