Publication Date

3-1-2002

Degree Program

Department of Public Health

Degree Type

Master of Public Health

Abstract

Drug abuse can be a serious, chronic, and relapsing health problem for both men and women. Among women, however, drug use and abuse present an array of different challenges to health and well-being. In addition, the health of women has been given less attention than the health of men. Little research has been conducted to identify and describe the invisible or hidden population of drug users, not abusers, who are not in treatment or incarcerated on drugrelated charges. The purpose of this study is to provide a descriptive and behavioral profile of adult, female, recreational drug users (i.e., not abusers). The instrument utilized for data collection and analysis was the on-line DRUGNET survey. Data was collected from volunteer, female subjects who completed the survey during 1997 and 1998 and who considered themselves to be "healthy, successful adults who occasionally use drugs." Mental health was assessed utilizing the General Well-Being Schedule (GWBS). Findings of this study support suggest that the overall health, happiness, and well-being of female, adult, recreational drug users does not appear to differ from the overall health, happiness, and well-being of the general, female, adult population.

Disciplines

Public Health | Substance Abuse and Addiction

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