Cited by 111Nutrition, Health and Food BehaviorEating Disorders and BehaviorsSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Eating patterns among heroin users: a qualitative study with implications for nutritional interventions

Neale, Joanne, Nettleton, Sarah, Pickering, Lucy, Fischer, Jan·2012·Addiction

Abstract

AIM: To provide new insights into heroin users' eating patterns in order to inform nutritional interventions. DESIGN: Seventy-seven audio-recorded in-depth interviews which elicited detailed data on eating patterns. SETTING: Community and residential drug services, pharmacies and peer support groups in Southern England, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Forty current or ex-heroin users (21 men and 19 women), of whom 37 (20 men and 17 women) were re-interviewed after 3 months. MEASUREMENTS: Audio data transcribed verbatim, coded systematically and analysed inductively. FINDINGS: Heroin users' eating patterns were influenced by individual, social, cultural, economic and environmental factors. During active heroin use, participants consumed quick, convenient, cheap and sweet foods, ate infrequently and had little interest in food. Eating patterns often improved during stays in residential services and after heroin cessation. Ex-heroin users began to take pleasure in food preparation and eating and identified therapeutic benefits to cooking. Initially, weight gain was experienced positively, but subsequently generated anxieties as participants, particularly women, struggled to control their appetite and worried about becoming overweight. Findings complement and add to previous research and sociological and anthropological literatures. CONCLUSIONS: Heroin users have dysfunctional eating patterns that are amenable to change and community and residential services could enable them to experience the many health, psychological and social benefits of improved eating practices. Nutritional interventions need to be tailored to individual needs and circumstances, but also monitored and evaluated so that there is a future evidence base.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03660.x

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Authors
Neale, J., Nettleton, S., Pickering, L., & Fischer, J.
Affiliations
  • Oxford Brookes University (GB)
  • University of York (GB)
  • University of Glasgow (GB)
Corresponding author
Neale, Joanne
Venue
Addiction
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2012-02-08
Volume
107
Issue
3
Pages
635-641
ISSN
  • 0965-2140 (ISSN-L)
  • 1360-0443
OpenAlex
W1894363939
Cited by
110
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
FWCI
3.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Addiction (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Economic and Social Research Council (ES/F030606/1)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
heroin use, dietary habits, dietary intervention, dysfunctional eating, community drug services, weight gain, appetite regulation, cooking
MeSH terms
Adult, Eating, Feeding Behavior, Female, Heroin Dependence, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Residential Treatment, Socioeconomic Factors, Nutritional Support

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