Pathways to Addiction: A Gender-Based Study on Drug Use in a Triangular Clinic and Drop-in Center, Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND: Addiction is characterized differently among women and men, and they begin using drugs for different reasons and motives. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the gendered experiences and patterns of illicit drug use initiation in an Iranian context. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 29 participants (15 men and 14 women) took part in in-depth interviews conducted at a HIV triangulation clinic (for men and women) and drop-in-center for women in Kerman in 2011. RESULTS: The results of the study suggest that patterns of drug use are different among Iranian men and women. Men often transit to drug use from cigarette smoking, whereas women’s drug use practices often begins with opium. Unlike women, men who used drugs were often single at their drug use debut. CONCLUSIONS: Different patterns of first exposure to drug use among men and women highlight the role of gendered expectations and socio-cultural norms in shaping drug use experiences of people who use drugs and call for gender-specific harm reduction interventions.