Citation

Harrison A, Blonigen D. Psychiatr. Ann. 2017; 47(1): 22-26.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Healio)

DOI

10.3928/00485713-20161206-01

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Injection drug use (IDU) is a significant public health concern. Although IDU is commonly associated with heroin use in popular culture, prescription opioids, stimulants, cocaine, and ketamine are also frequently injected. Most people who inject drugs (PWIDs) live in developing countries; however, the majority of research on IDU is conducted in Western countries. In the United States, about 2.6% of the general population have injected drugs. Although the prevalence has decreased in the past 25 years, it has increased among young people and African Americans. Contextual factors, such as social connections with PWIDs and homelessness, play a large role in the initiation of IDU. In this article, we discuss methodological issues and future directions for research. [Psychiatr Ann. 2017;47(1):22-26.]

Language: en