Cofactors of Substance Use among Male Street Prostitutes

Two hundred and eleven male street prostitutes were surveyed using a semi-structured interview schedule and standardized self-report instruments. Information about substance use, occupational and lifestyle characteristics, levels of psychological symptomatology and self-esteem was gathered to delineate prostitutes' substance use patterns and possible cofactors to substance use. Results indicate that daily polysubstance use among male prostitutes is normative for both IDU and non-IDUs. Additionally, data demonstrate a direct link between substance use and economic dependence on prostitution. Most importantly, prostitutes' substance use was found to increase significantly while engaging in acts of prostitution and was exacerbated by the presence of psychological distress and conflicts about sexual orientation. Findings suggest that social policy surrounding interventions aimed at male prostitutes' substance use should not be conceptualized solely in terms of recreational and or addictive factors, but also as the resultant outgrowth of the need for self-medication to cope with negative feelings and/or conflicts associated with practicing prostitution.