Nitrite inhalants: patterns of abuse in Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Nitrite inhalants, as drugs of abuse, have received a new prominence in the literature since their use has been associated with Kaposi's Sarcoma and possibly other manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Changes in patterns and prevalence of use have not been investigated since the onset of the AIDS epidemic. We have examined the abuse patterns of nitrite inhalants (poppers) in several different groups. The use of poppers among drug abusers in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has remained constant over the past 5 years, with the prevalence of use being approximately 11% for recreational drug users and 22% for heavy abusers. Self-reported use by a homosexual group had decreased over the same time period. Sixty-nine percent of the homosexual sample had experience with nitrities, but only 21% had used them in the 6 months prior to being surveyed. The mean interval since last use was 25 months, and since peak use, 4.1 years. Among substance abusers, nitrites appear to be a drug whose use starts late, with the mean age of first use being 25.6 years compared to 14.6 years for glue, 17.6 years for marijuana, and 18.5 years for heroin. We found both heterosexual and homosexual groups utilize nitrites primarily to "get high," but homosexuals more often use them during overt sexual activity. Experience with amyl nitrite was much more prevalent than that with the butyl derivative in both populations. We conclude that the prevalence of nitrite abuse among drug users has not changed as a result of the AIDS epidemic, but such use appears to have decreased within the homosexual community.