Homelessness and gender in out-of-treatment drug users

Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2000 May;26(2):283-96. doi: 10.1081/ada-100100605.

Abstract

This study examines 5225 out-of-treatment crack users and drug injectors drawn from five different geographic areas to examine selected factors associated with homelessness. Of these crack users, 27% considered themselves undomiciled, and 60% had previously entered some type of drug treatment. Logistic regression found that substance abusers who were married, female, and persons of color were less likely to be without a home when other variables were controlled. Trading sex for money and perceived chance of getting acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were associated positively with homelessness, while participating in methadone detoxification and methadone maintenance programs seemed to offer some protection from homelessness.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Adult
  • Black or African American
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Crack Cocaine
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons / psychology*
  • Ill-Housed Persons / statistics & numerical data
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Marital Status
  • Methadone / therapeutic use
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Residential Treatment
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sex Factors
  • Sex Work / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation

Substances

  • Crack Cocaine
  • Methadone