Trajectories of heroin addiction: growth mixture modeling results based on a 33-year follow-up study

Eval Rev. 2007 Dec;31(6):548-63. doi: 10.1177/0193841X07307315.

Abstract

This study investigates trajectories of heroin use and subsequent consequences in a sample of 471 male heroin addicts who were admitted to the California Civil Addict Program in 1964-1965 and followed over 33 years. Applying a two-part growth mixture modeling strategy to heroin use level during the first 16 years of the addiction careers since first heroin use, the authors identified three groups with distinctive profiles: stably high-level heroin users (n = 278), late decelerated users (n = 149), and early quitters (n = 44). Study findings empirically demonstrate the chronic nature of heroin addiction and subsequent adverse consequences including mortality, mental health, and employment.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • California / epidemiology
  • Demography
  • Heroin*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychometrics
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Heroin