| Study One Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this study is to examine social determinants to heroin use among individuals over the age of 12 in a national sample. Methods: A secondary analysis of the 2012 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration was conducted for this study. A total of 55,268 participants 12 years of age and older from across the United States are included in the NSDUH study. Results: In regards to heroin use, 1.5% (n = 845) cited using this substance in their lifetime. Individuals at highest risk for heroin use included being male, having a high school diploma or less, earning less than $20,000, being employed for the last year, participating in governmental assistance, self-reporting one's health status as poor, fair, or good, and using alcohol, cigarettes, or marijuana before the age of 21. Discussion: Prevention and intervention programs targeting social determinants of heroin use are warranted. Future programs should be evaluated for effectiveness.;Study Two Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of other drug use, perceived risk and ease of access on lifetime use of heroin. Methods: For this study, a secondary analysis of the 2012 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) lead by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration was conducted. Study participants included heroin users who were 12 years of age and older (N = 18,615) from across the United States. Results: Individuals at highest risk for heroin use included being male, perceiving the drug as not being a great risk to one's health, reporting the substance was easy to procure, and having used alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, cocaine, crack, pain relievers, methamphetamines, or sedatives in one's lifetime. Discussion: The study findings add to the literature by providing information on the relationship between heroin use and sex, perceived risk of use, ease of access, and other drug use. There is an obvious association between heroin use and other drug use. Substance use treatment programs may find it beneficial to include a heroin prevention component to reduce the probability of future heroin use among current substance users. |
