Patterns+of+Behavior+and+Associated+Dangers

**Patterns of Behavior with Heroin Users and Associated Dangers**

__Patterns__ Since heroin is commonly administered through injection, there appears to be a certain pattern users of the drug follow. According to Kaye and Darke (2000), heroin users tended to be older when they first used the drug when compared to other amphetamine users (29 years vs. 26.6 years of age). This may be due in part to the method used to get the drug into the body. Often during stages of experimentation or recreational use, "less harsh" administration routes are taken such as smoking. To begin one's drug use with an intravenous drug such as heroin at a young age is not commonly seen. Another obvious difference observed by the researchers is employment. In comparison, 82% of heroin users were unemployed when compared to 52% of amphetamine users. This may suggest that heroin creates much more of an impairment to daily functioning than other drugs. Many heroin users report feeling like their addiction is "a full-time job" (see video on Background Information for individual accounts). Considering the psychological as well as physiological dependence the drug can create, it is very feasible that many users cannot commit to a full or part-time job outside of actively seeking out and using heroin.

__Dangers__ Unfortunately, heroin users were twice as likely than amphetamine users to have overdosed on the drug (84% versus 40%). There was no difference in needle borrowing or lending between the two user groups which may say something more about the culture of IV users than the subjects specifically. Maloney, Degenhardt, Darke, Mattick, and Nelson (2007) found that when compared to other types of suicide attempts, heroin overdose was among the more serious attempts to end one's life. Patients often ended up requiring immediate medical attention, were admitted to a hospital and sought psychological help after rehabilitation.

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