Walking the Tightrope: Balancing Health and Drug Use

Abstract

This article stems from a study on San Francisco drug users and their health care experiences. Two hundred thirty-eight study participants were administered depth interviews and questionnaires to reveal a variety of health concerns and health behaviors. For these analyses, which focused on health practices and risky behaviors, the sample was divided into two groups: marijuana users, and other drug users (including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and crack). The findings indicate that drug users behave similarly to the general population regarding health practices, such as eating regularly, sleeping regularly, taking vitamins, and exercising. One finding of interest was the high-risk sexual behaviors of the young, educated marijuana users. A majority of participants demonstrated strong concerns for their health and well-being, and further encouragement on this front is advised. Future research and directions for interventions are recommended.

Keywords:

• drug use
• health practices
• preventive behaviors
• risky sex