SEX-DIFFERENCES IN PATTERNS OF DRUG TAKING BEHAVIOR - A STUDY AT A LONDON COMMUNITY DRUG TEAM

This study investigates sex differences in patterns of drug taking and related injecting and sexual behaviour among 355 patients attending a London community drug team. The majority of cases attending the servi ce presented with heroin problems. Men were more likely to use heroin by injection and women were more likely to use heroin by inhaling/smok ing ('chasing the dragon'); there was no sex difference in the overall incidence of needle sharing. The delay between first use of the probl em drug and first presentation to services was the same for both men a nd women. Women were more likely to have a sexual partner who was a dr ug user and to be living with another user than men. This closer socia l attachment to other drug users was seen as presenting a high risk fa ctor for women with regard to prognosis and treatment.