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Factors associated with vulnerability

The use of drugs among prostitutes is very high. A study was conducted with 200 street prostitutes to determine when prostitutes first get involved with drugs. The results showed that 55% of the subjects reported becoming addicted to drugs before they became prostitutes, 30% reported becoming addicted after becoming a prostitute, and 15% became addicted at the same time they became a prostitute. The study also revealed that the women's families often had alcohol and drug abuse throughout their lives. Substance abuse can lead someone towards prostitution and prostitution can lead someone to substance abuse. Prostitutes use many different drugs to help them deal with their problems. Marijauna is used to help relax, Heroin is used to help increase emotional and physical stress tolerances, and Cocaine and other stimulants are used to increase energy and confidence, so they are able to bring in more clients. When prostitutes use drugs, they often become addicted and have to continue prostituting to continue funding their addiction.

There are some common factors between prostitutes who are involved with drug use. If they frequently have unprotected sex, if they are HIV/AIDS positive or have any other sexually acquired infections, if they have any mental health issues or have recently undergone mental health treatment, if they are homeless, or if they suffered physical and sexual abuse in adulthood they are much more likely to develop a substance abuse problem. Drug users with multiple mental problems have higher rates of sharing injection needles with other people, lower rates of using condoms, having sex with multiple partners, sex trading, and having sex with an injecting drug user. Depression is also associated with drug use and prostitution. There are also trapping factors: injecting any kind of substance into their body, using hard drugs such as Crack cocaine or Methamphetamine, taking part in sex work while underage, working outdoors or in multiple areas, and having any convictions. These factors ‘trap’ a person into the life they are in, especially if multiple of the factors effect them, making it much harder for them to escape their situation. The people most vulnerable to prostitution are those that have experienced these factors.