Given the rise in heroin use in the United States, a recent study analyzed data from the 2011-2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to determine the prevalence, correlates, and patterns of heroin use among young adults in the United States. Study participants included young adults (18-25 years old) that self-reported lifetime, past-year, and past-month heroin use (n=55,940). A brief summary of this study’s findings include:
Prevalence:
- Lifetime use, 18.4 per 1,000; Past-year use, 7.3 per 1,000; Past-month use, 3.3 per 1,000 (suggests 2% of study participants reported ever using heroin)
Patterns and Attitudes:
- The mean age of heroin use initiation was 18-19 years old
- The majority of heroin users reported concurrent use of other substances
- The majority of lifetime (61.9%), past-year (80.6%), and past-month (93.6%) heroin users indicated it was fairly or very easy to access heroin
Correlates:
- Young adults that smoked cigarettes, misused prescription opioid pain relievers, used illegal drugs, or had been arrested and booked for breaking the law had higher odds of using heroin.
Take Away: This study analyzed national data that assessed heroin use by young adults (18-25 years old) in the United States. This study concluded that young adult heroin users initiated heroin use at an early age (18-19 years old), and the majority of heroin users were also polysubstance users. As a result, campus prevention specialists may consider specifically targeting first-year college students with prevention programming.