"Heavy users," "controlled users," and "quitters": Understanding patterns of crack use among women in a midwestern city

Raminta Daniulaityte, Robert G. Carlson, Harvey A. Siegal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Over the past two decades, the use of crack cocaine has become an enduring part of the social ecology of many cities across the United States. The purpose of this exploratory study is to describe patterns of crack use drawing on life history interviews conducted with 18 women in Dayton, Ohio, between 1998 and 2000. Ten of the women were African American, and eight were white. Age ranged between 23 and 47. The women were at very different stages of their crack-cocaine careers. We focus on understanding the social factors, life history, and everyday circumstances that participants related to their current patterns and levels of crack use. Implications for intervention are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)129-152
Number of pages24
JournalSubstance Use and Misuse
Volume42
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Crack cocaine
  • Life history interviews
  • Patterns of drug use
  • Qualitative methods
  • Women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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