Drugs and prostitution have been documented to have a direct correlation. In , a study showed that use of drugs by prostitutes appeared to be an "Adaptation and commitment to a deviant social role". Drug use tended to predate prostitution among low level prostitutes with the connection most likely due to economic necessity. Low level prostitutes tended to use depressants, specifically heroin , as the drug of choice.
High class prostitution showed that prostitution predates drug use with stimulants being the drug of choice. A study among South London prostitutes showed links between sexual behavior, severity of dependence, and use of heroin, alcohol but rarely, cocaine. In the case of street prostitutes, estimates reveal that between 40 and 85 percent of all street prostitutes are drug users. Prostitutes who reported a problem with drug use had begun the use of hard drugs at an earlier age Because of these early experiences with drugs, these people often begin sex work early in their lives.
The average age for people who engage in sex work with drug abuse was five months younger than those whom have had no problem with drugs 19 years and 2 months old, instead of 19 years 7 months old. Drug use is also linked with outdoor cruising, which involves cruising around a street looking for clients, and independent drifting which means prostitution from personal phones or crack houses.
Researchers have found the choice of drug to be important to the prostitute in serving real or perceived functions.
Cocaine and other stimulants have also been reported to increase the confidence of streetwalkers' ability to talk to strangers, and allow for these sex workers to maintain their energy levels.
