Social network correlates of self-reported non-fatal overdose

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2004 Jan 7;73(1):61-7. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2003.09.005.

Abstract

The leading cause of death among heroin users is drug overdose. The present study examined the relationship between history of self-reported drug overdoses and social network characteristics among cocaine and opiate users. Data were from cross-sectional surveys administered from March 2001 through February 2003 as part of follow-up of an experimental network oriented HIV prevention intervention. A total of 838 participants with histories of cocaine and opiate use completed the survey. Several social network variables were found to be significantly associated with drug overdose in the prior 2 years, including larger number of network members who were injection drug users and a larger number of conflictual ties among the network members. Even after controlling for age, gender, frequency of injection drug and alcohol use, and health status, network variables continued to have a strong association with history of recent overdose. These data suggest that large drug networks should be targeted for drug overdose prevention interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Baltimore / epidemiology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology*
  • Comorbidity
  • Conflict, Psychological
  • Crack Cocaine*
  • Drug Overdose / epidemiology
  • Drug Overdose / prevention & control
  • Drug Overdose / psychology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Education
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Heroin / poisoning*
  • Heroin Dependence / epidemiology
  • Heroin Dependence / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Facilitation*
  • Social Support*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / psychology*
  • Urban Population* / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Crack Cocaine
  • Heroin