Social support and zero sharing risk among hazardously drinking injection drug users

Abstract

We compared the sociodemographic, drug use, and social support characteristics of injection drug users (IDUs) who reported at least 6 months having not "shared needles or works" (zero sharing risk) with those who reported recent equipment sharing. 187 AUDIT-positive (>8), active IDUs were recruited between February 1998 and October 1999 from a needle exchange program in Providence, RI. The sample was 64% male and 87% white, with a mean age of 36 years, and 32% of subjects reported zero sharing risk in the prior 6 months. Variables having significant (P<.05) associations with zero sharing risk included: older age, lower heroin use frequency, lower cocaine use, and increased frequency of needle exchange visits. As social support from friends increased, the likelihood of sharing decreased. Subjects with substance-using friends or partners were significantly more likely to share than those without such associations (OR = 9.4; P<.05). Social support and social network composition influenced sharing behaviors in active, out-of-treatment drug injectors. Interventions that mobilize social support may increase the possibility of zero sharing, an important public health goal.