Self-Reported Changes in Drug and Alcohol Use after Becoming Homeless

T.P. O'Toole, J.L. Gibbon, B.H. Hanusa, P.J. Freyder, A.M. Conde and M.J. Fine

American Journal of Public Health, 2004, vol. 94, issue 5, 830-835

Abstract: Objectives. We identified substance use patterns and factors associated with increased substance use after users become homeless. Methods. We carried out a 2-city, community-based survey that used population-proportionate sampling of 91 sites with random selection at each site. Results. Five hundred thirty-one adults were interviewed; 78.3% of them met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition criteria for substance abuse or dependence. Most of those who met the criteria reported using drugs and alcohol less since they became homeless, commonly because they were in recovery. Factors independently associated with increased use were no health insurance (odds ratio [OR]= 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 2.58), alcohol abuse or dependence (OR =3.5; 95% CI = 1.85, 6.78), and selling plasma (OR= 2.6;95% CI = 1.32, 5.14) or panhandling (OR= 3.0;95% CI=1.65, 5.55) to acquire drugs. Conclusions. Becoming homeless plays a role in self-reported substance use. Multiservice treatment programs and tailored interventions for homeless persons are needed.

Date: 2004
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2004:94:5:830-835_9

Access Statistics for this article

American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia

More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Christopher F Baum ().