The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59766

Julie Netherland, MSW¹, Linda Weiss, PhD², and Ruth Finkelstein, ScD¹. (1) Office of Special Populations, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212.419.3560, jnetherland@nyam.org, (2) Office of Special Populations, The New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029

Although stressful life events have been linked to elevations in illicit drug use, the number of active users in New York City (NYC) who decreased their heroin or cocaine use following the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks equalled the number who increased it. Decreases in their use of cigarettes, alcohol and prescription medications, however, were rare while increases were common, raising questions about why some substances are used more heavily in times of crisis than others. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 100 former and current heroin and cocaine users in NYC from October-June 2001 to learn about reactions to the attacks, changes in drug use, and the relationship between emotional responses and substance use. Of the 76 active users, 20 increased their use of heroin and/or cocaine, and 20 decreased it. In contrast, 32 of the active users increased their use of alcohol, cigarettes and/or anti-anxiety and tranquilizing medications (prescribed or obtained on the street), but only six decreased their use of these substances. Consistent with a self-medication hypothesis, subjects often related alcohol, cigarettes and prescription medication use to the relief of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia caused by the attacks. Heroin users commonly described heroin use as a necessity to avoid withdrawal (unaffected by the attacks); whereas almost one-third of cocaine users purposively avoided cocaine because of concerns it would increase their fear and paranoia. Types of substances used following the WTC attacks were related to beliefs about what would help or exacerbate individual emotional responses.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn:
• the impact of the WTC attacks on the emotional well-being and substance use patterns of active and former drug users in New York City;
• why substance use patterns changed; and
• the explantory role of qualitative methods in substance use research.

Keywords: Disasters, Drug Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.