Drugs and prostitution

Drugs and prostitution have been documented to have a direct correlation. In 1978, a study showed that use of drugs by prostitutes appeared to be an "Adaptation and commitment to a deviant social role".

Drug use tended to predate prostitution among low level prostitutes with the connection most likely due to economic necessity. Low level prostitutes tended to use depressants, specifically heroin, as the drug of choice. High class prostitution showed that prostitution predates drug use with stimulants being the drug of choice.[1]

A 1994 study among South London prostitutes showed links between sexual behavior, severity of dependence, and use of heroin, alcohol but rarely, cocaine.[2]

Drug Use

Drug use and Prostitution are intrinsically linked. Especially in the case of street prostitutes, estimates reveal that between 40 and 85 percent of all street prostitutes are drug users.[1]

A study conducted by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse in the UK, has suggested that as 95% of women that are involved with street prostitution in the UK are Heroin or Crack cocaine users.[3]

Prostitutes whom reported a problem with drug use had begun the use of hard drugs at an earlier age (16.2 years old). Because of these early experiences with drugs, these people often begin sex work early in their lives. The average age for people whom engage in sex work with Drug Abuse, was five months younger than those whom have had no problem with drugs (19 years and 2 months old, instead of 19 years 7 months old).[4]

Drug use is also linked with outdoor cruising, which involves cruising around a street looking for clients, and independent drifting which means prostitution from personal phones or Crack houses. 84% of these workers, whom work in this sector, reported problems with drug use, in comparison to the 13%, who work in an indoor-associated escort type agency, such as a sauna, massage parlor, flat or Escort agency.[4]

According to a survey conducted by the Center for Problem-Orientated Policing, more than 70% of Sex workers over 25 have taken Cannabis, Amphetamines, Cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin. Furthermore, for sex workers at 16 to 19 years of age, over 70% of them have experienced cannabis, cocaine, and crack cocaine.[4]

Prostitutes also use mind-altering drugs such as Alcohol, PCP (drug), Lysergic acid diethylamide; in addition to Psychoactive drugs such as Valium and Pethidine. Researchers have found the choice of drug to be important to the prostitute in serving real or perceived functions.[5] In the case of Heroin, it may be used to adjust to a life which they resent, as it increases peoples ability to withstand emotional and physical stress. Cocaine and other Stimulants have also been reported to increase the confidence of streetwalkers abilities to talk to strangers, and allow for these sex workers to maintain their energy levels. Moreover, New York call-girls consume alcohol as means of protecting themselves from insults both physically and emotionally.[5] In addition, certain drugs, such as MDMA, are known to increase their effects on Sex. Someone whom wishes to enhance their sexual experience they may turn to drugs in order to increase endurance, intensify sensations, and prolong the encounter.[6]

At street level, Pimps often use drugs to exert control over prostitutes. Many pimps are also drug dealers and attract and lure women with free drugs and a promise for a high-roller lifestyle. Pimps intend on getting these women addicted to drugs, and often target those whom are at an increased risk of addiction. Usually women with an increased risk of Addiction are ones financial or emotional problems, from Dysfunctional families, or are already addicted to drugs. Once addicted, they will continue seeking drugs from the pimp, who will then inform the girl that he cannot continue financing their addiction without compensation. Because of the addiction, a person will try to find ways in which to finance and satisfy their Dependence (behavioral medicine), and in many cases their dependence impairs their judgments, making these people more susceptible to becoming sex workers, with the addiction keeping them enslaved in the industry.[7] Moreover, although some sex workers begin work as a result of their addictions, some people turn to prostitution after Drug addictions have ruined their lives, and left them with very few alternatives to support themselves otherwise.[7]

Factors Associated with Vulnerability

The use of drugs among prostitutes is very high. A study was conducted with 200 street prostitutes to determine when prostitutes first get involved with drugs. The results showed that 55% of the subjects reported becoming addicted to drugs before they became prostitutes, 30% reported becoming addicted after becoming a prostitute, and 15% became addicted at the same time they became a prostitute.[8] The study also revealed that the women's families often had alcohol and drug abuse throughout their lives. Substance abuse can lead someone towards prostitution and prostitution can lead someone to substance abuse. Prostitutes use many different drugs to help them deal with their problems. Marijauna is used to help relax, Heroin is used to help increase emotional and physical stress tolerances, and Cocaine and other stimulants are used to increase energy and confidence, so they are able to bring in more clients.[5] When prostitutes use drugs, they often become addicted and have to continue prostituting to continue funding their addiction.

There are some common factors between prostitutes who are involved with drug use. If they frequently have unprotected sex, if they are HIV/AIDS positive or have any other sexually acquired infections, if they have any mental health issues or have recently undergone mental health treatment, if they are homeless, or if they suffered physical and sexual abuse in adulthood they are much more likely to develop a substance abuse problem.[9] Drug users with multiple mental problems have higher rates of sharing injection needles with other people, lower rates of using condoms, having sex with multiple partners, sex trading, and having sex with an injecting drug user. Depression is also associated with drug use and prostitution.[3] There are also trapping factors: injecting any kind of substance into their body, using hard drugs such as Crack cocaine or Methamphetamine, taking part in sex work while underage, working outdoors or in multiple areas, and having any convictions. These factors ‘trap’ a person into the life they are in, especially if multiple of the factors effect them, making it much harder for them to escape their situation. The people most vulnerable to prostitution are those that have experienced these factors.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Crime and Substance Abuse". DARA Thailand.
  2. ↑ Gossop, Michael; Powis, Beverly; Griffiths, Paul; Strang, John (1994). "Sexual behaviour and its relationship to drug-taking among prostitutes in south London". Addiction. 89 (8): 961–70. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.1994.tb03356.x. PMID 7950854.
  3. 1 2 Gilchrist, Gail. "Drug users involved in prostitution: impact on health" (PDF). Public Health England. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Cusick, Linda; Martin, Anthea; May, Tiggey (2003). "Vulnerability and involvement in drug use and sex work" (PDF). Home Office Research Study No. 268.
  5. 1 2 3 Flowers, Ronald (August 5, 2005). The Prostitution of Women and Girls. McFarland & Company. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-7864-2448-1. In the case of Heroin, it may be used to adjust to a life which they resent, as it increases peoples ability to withstand emotional and physical stress. Cocaine and other Stimulants have also been reported to increase the confidence of streetwalkers abilities to talk to strangers, and allow for these sex workers to maintain their energy levels. Moreover, New York call-girls consume alcohol as means of protecting themselves from insults both physically and emotionally
  6. ↑ "The Link Between Drug Addiction and Sexual Addiction". Bradford Health. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Is There a Connection between Prostitution and Drug or Alcohol Addiction?". Addiction Help Center. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  8. ↑ Silbert, Mimi H.; Pines, Ayala M.; Lynch, Teri (1982). "Substance Abuse and Prostitution". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 14 (3): 193–7. doi:10.1080/02791072.1982.10471928. PMID 7143150.
  9. ↑ Gilchrist, Gail; Gruer, Laurence; Atkinson, Jacqueline (2005). "Comparison of drug use and psychiatric morbidity between prostitute and non-prostitute female drug users in Glasgow, Scotland". Addictive Behaviors. 30 (5): 1019–23. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.09.003. PMID 15893098.

Further reading

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.