We sought to estimate the prevalence as well as demographic and drug use-related correlates of poppers use among adults in the United States. Data were analyzed from adult participants (ages 18-64) in the 2015-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 115,744), a nationally representative survey of non-institutionalized adults in the US. An estimated 3.3% of adults have ever used poppers. Over a third (35.1%) of gay men are estimated as having ever used poppers. Estimates were lower for heterosexual (3.7%) and bisexual males (11.3%), and for heterosexual (1.8%), bisexual (4.8%), and lesbian women (6.3%). In the multivariable model, compared to male heterosexuals, gay men were at increased odds for reporting lifetime popper use (aOR = 24.64, p<.001), and bisexual men (aOR = 3.55, p <.001), lesbian women (aOR = 1.86, p =.010), and bisexual women (aOR = 1.33, p =.049) were at increased odds for lifetime use. Having a college degree was associated with increased odds for use, and lifetime use of marijuana, ecstasy/MDMA/Molly, cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, tranquilizers, and/or opioids were associated with higher odds for use. Gay men in particular are at high risk for use. Results can help inform prevention efforts, particularly in sexual minority populations.
Use of “poppers” among adults in the United States, 2015-2017
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 52 (5), 433-439. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2020.1791373. PMCID: PMC7704544.