Initial Drug Use and Childhood Memories

Abstract

Ethnographic studies have consistently shown that most heroin users begin their opiate-using careers at a relatively early age. Research by Faupel (1991) found that individuals averaged 18 years at first use of heroin and, with one exception, were all under 25 years when they first tried the drug. In addition, heroin users seem to belong to groups of individuals that have participated in law-breaking activities before they have their first opiate experience (Crawford et al., 1980; Rosenbaum, 1981; Maddux and Desmond, 1984; Stephens, 1991). As Stephens (1991) commented, many of those who experiment with heroin already possess prior roles and self-concepts that are congruent with the street addict role. For example, crime usually precedes heroin use (Greenberg and Adler, 1974; Faupel, 1991) and many heroin addicts have used other drugs (especially marijuana and alcohol) before they try opiates (Weppner and Agar, 1971; Waldorf, 1973; Hendler and Stephens, 1977).