University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies Legacy Theses 2000 Drug use: initiation and progression Moroz, Kelly Moroz, K. (2000). Drug use: initiation and progression (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/22476 http://hdl.handle.net/1880/40631 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Drup Use: Initiation and Progression Kelly Moroz X THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF EDUC.4TIONA.L PSYCHOLOGY CALGARY, ALBERTA JULY, 2000 OKelly Moroz 2000 National Library Bibliotheque nationale of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, me Wellington Ottawa ON KIA ON4 Ottawa ON KIA OW Canada Canada YW fib vorre reference Our lF& Norre reidrema The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive pernettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliotheque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, priiter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette these sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format electronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriete du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protege cette these. thesis nor substantial extracts fi-om it Ni la these ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent 6tre imprimes reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. A.STRACT Drug use, on the rise again among teens and young adults, has been found to be acquired in a series of stages. Two hundred and fifty adult volunteers (1 58 men and 89 women), between the ages of 18 and 45 (M_=24.7,==6.48) were obtained from the University of Calgary, downtown Calgary, and the Cdgzqr Ren?md Ceotre to fi!! c~t questionnaires for the present study. Con-ment with research over the past 25 years, Chi- square analysis determined that drug use occurred in the order of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and hard drugs. Hard drug use was typically initiated with hallucinogens and amphetamines, whose properties of euphoria, togetherness, and energy to dance all night are desired at the newly popularized rave scene. Cocaine experimentation followed in young adulthood. This use was cumulative, meaning that drugs abused previously were used in conjunction with drugs of more recent experimentation. Factors previously related to further progression through the model have included frequent use of gateway drugs and earlier ages of experimentation with substances. There was no evidence that increased gateway drug use led to further progression. Rather, increased use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana followed use of the hard drugs. A three-way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) determined that earlier initiation to substances (usually alcohol) was related to an increased repertoire of drugs, a greater intensity of drug use @ast and current), and a greater number of drug-related life problems. As fbrther determined through post hoc analysis using the Scheffe method, subjects that delayed experimentation with substances past the age of fifteen were significantly less likely to be plagued by heavy involvement with alcohol and drugs. Prevention measures related to delaying the onset of substance use are discussed. -4CKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Lauren Sandals, for his invaluable ,gidance throughout the course of this research project. His high research standards are truly special. Thanks also to Tak Fung for aiding in the analysis and interpretation of results. I am fhrther grateful to Dr. Robert Williams, whose background in substance abuse research greatly aided in questionnaire constnicrion and research methodology, and to Dr. Victor Grossi, for his guidance in sample selection. I am further indebted to the store owners the Ship and Anchor Pub, Divine Decadence, Feroshus, Grassroots, and the Hemporium, as well as the University of Calgary Student's Union, the Mackimmie Library, and the Calgary Remand Centre for permining me to place questionnaire racks in their locations. This study would not have been possible without this generosity. I would like to express special thanks to my parents, Reginald and Geraldine Moroz, my gandparents, Joseph and Pauline Sawchuck, and to my Uncle Stanley. These family members have not only stressed the value of good education, but have believed in me and supported my studies all these years. Their faith, love, and giving nature will never be forgotten. Last, but not least, I am grateful to my friends, both in Winnipeg and Calgary. Thank you for always being there for me. TABLE OF CONTENTS .. Approval Page ..................... :.......................................................................... 11... Abstract ............................................................................................................... rrl Acknowledgments................................................................................................ v Table of Contents................................................................................................ vi List of Tables...,............ .. .......................................................................*...... ix List of Figures ..................................................................................................... x CEAPTER OX:fiTTRODUC?'?ON ................................................................ i The Problem ........................................................................................... 1 Purpose and Rationale of the Current Study ................. .............................. 3 Hypotheses .............................................................................................. 4 Other Research Questions......................................................................... 4 Further... Rationale ........... ..,. ......... ......................................................... 5 Delimitations... of the Study ......................................................................... 6 Llmmtanons of the Study ............................................................................ 6 CWTERTW0:LIERATUREREVIEUr....................................................... 10 Drug-related Problems .............................................................................. 10 The Gateway Hypothesis .......................................................................... 11 The Typical Progression.............................................................................. 13 Drug Roles and Positioning...................................................................... 14 Alcohol ........................................................................................ 14 Cigarettes ...................................................................................... 15 .. Maquana ..................................................................................... 17 Inhalants ....................................................................................... 18 The Harder Drugs .................................................................................... 19 Hallucinogens ................ ... ...................................................... 19 . Phencyclichne................................................................................. 21 Cocaine...................................................................................... 21 Crack Cocaine........... ...+.... ........., .................................... ,-73 Opiates ..................................................................................... 22 . Prescnpaon Opiates...................................................................... 23 . Traaquihzers................................................................................. 23 Amphetamines and Methamphetamines ..................... ............. 24 Hard Dm3 Sequencing ................. .. ........................................... 24 Gender Differences.................................................................... 26 Drug Cumulativeness .................................................................. 27 Precursors to Progression............................................................. 29 Age of Initiation to Drugs.................................................. 29 Frequencyhtensity of Substance Use ................................. 31 APPENDIX E: Cover Letter for Inmate Volunteers............................................... 10 1 APPENDIX F: Cover Letter for University Volunteers.......................................... 102 APPENDIX G:Consent Form ............................................................................... 103 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Demographic Data for Participants......................................................... 33 Table 2: Use of Individual