Influence of illicit drug use on prosocial economic behaviors: Implications for treatment

Aim: Examine the influence of substance use on prosocial behaviors (e.g., working) by gender. Extant literature suggests that gender specific interventions may be more effective in meeting the needs of illicit drug using populations.  Prosocial economic behaviors are associated with better treatment outcomes.  However, little work has been done to understand the function of prosocial economic behaviors in a community residing sample of drug users and how these behaviors differ by gender.

Methods: The sample (N = 651; Female = 43.9%; M age = 32.34, SD=8.21) was enrolled in the NEURO-Study in Baltimore, Maryland.  Participants whom self-reported the use of an illicit substance (confirmed by urinalysis) were recruited through street outreach and administered a standardized Behavior Interview.

Results: Females were one fifth (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] =.190, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: .133 - .272, p<.001) as likely to be engaged in prosocial economic behaviors and almost twice as likely to be engaged in adverse economic behaviors (AOR = 1.575, 95% CI: 1.15 – 2.16, p=.005).  Furthermore, illicit drug use mediates the relation between gender and adverse economic behaviors (AOR = .658, 95% CI .477 - .908, p = .011). 

Conclusion - Our findings indicate that community residing female drug users may be at greater risk for adverse outcomes due to a greater engagement in inauspicious economic activities.  Results suggest that addressing ways in which individuals sustain themselves economically may improve treatment outcomes.  Furthermore, it is necessary to pay close attention to differential needs by gender.