Biomaterial Database

Levels and correlates of polydrug use among heroin users and regular amphetamine users. 1995

S Darke, and W Hall

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia.

Data from a sample of 329 primary heroin users and from a sample of 301 regular amphetamine users were analysed in order to determine the extent and correlates of polydrug use among illicit drug users. Both samples exhibited high levels of polydrug use, with means of 5.2 (heroin) and 6.3 (amphetamines) drug classes used in the preceding 6 months. Multi-variate analyses indicated that being younger, being male, not being in treatment, being an injector, having recently borrowed injecting equipment and being from the regular amphetamine using sample were independently associated with higher levels of polydrug use. Rather than increasing levels of polydrug use being associated with age, illicit drug users appear to reduce their range of drugs as they get older. The 'pure' heroin or amphetamine user was extremely rare. It is concluded that to characterise drug users as 'heroin' or 'amphetamine' users misses the context in which these drugs are used.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009517	New South Wales	A state in southeastern Australia. Its capital is Sydney. It was discovered by Captain Cook in 1770 and first settled at Botany Bay by marines and convicts in 1788. It was named by Captain Cook who thought its coastline resembled that of South Wales. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p840 & Room, Brewer's Dictionary of Names, 1992, p377)
D011619	Psychotropic Drugs	A loosely defined grouping of drugs that have effects on psychological function. Here the psychotropic agents include the antidepressive agents, hallucinogens, and tranquilizing agents (including the antipsychotics and anti-anxiety agents).	Psychoactive Agent,Psychoactive Agents,Psychoactive Drug,Psychopharmaceutical,Psychopharmaceuticals,Psychotropic Drug,Psychoactive Drugs,Agent, Psychoactive,Agents, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychotropic,Drugs, Psychoactive,Drugs, Psychotropic
D005260	Female		Females
D006556	Heroin Dependence	Strong dependence or addiction, both physiological and emotional, upon HEROIN.	Heroin Abuse,Heroin Addiction,Heroin Smoking,Abuse, Heroin,Addiction, Heroin,Dependence, Heroin,Heroin Smokings,Smoking, Heroin
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000661	Amphetamine	A powerful central nervous system stimulant and sympathomimetic. Amphetamine has multiple mechanisms of action including blocking uptake of adrenergics and dopamine, stimulation of release of monamines, and inhibiting monoamine oxidase. Amphetamine is also a drug of abuse and a psychotomimetic. The l- and the d,l-forms are included here. The l-form has less central nervous system activity but stronger cardiovascular effects. The d-form is DEXTROAMPHETAMINE.	Desoxynorephedrin,Levoamphetamine,Phenopromin,l-Amphetamine,Amfetamine,Amphetamine Sulfate,Amphetamine Sulfate (2:1),Centramina,Fenamine,Mydrial,Phenamine,Thyramine,levo-Amphetamine,Sulfate, Amphetamine,l Amphetamine,levo Amphetamine