Drug and alcohol use among prostitutes

Prostitution is often associated with drug use and alcohol. Often as a way to explain the existence of prostitution itself, or how prostitutes can make it 'bearable' to do their work. Research among prostitutes in The Netherlands however indicate only a small group of prostitutes use hard drugs. Only 5% use hard drugs, and most often these are escorts. Window prostitutes and prostitutes working in erotic massage salons hardly use hard drugs, despite the fact that window prostitutes are often being associated with it.

Source: WODC research 2014, Dutch Ministry of Justice and Safety

Soft drug use among prostitutes in The Netherlands is a little higher than hard drugs. But since the use of soft drugs in The Netherlands is legal, this should come as no surprise. Averagely 20% of the prostitutes use soft drugs. Prostitutes working in sexclubs or private houses score the highest, but window prostitutes score very low again with only 12%.

Source: WODC research 2014, Dutch Ministry of Justice and Safety

Another thing often associated with prostitution is the use of alcohol. Again to try and explain how prostitutes can make their work 'bearable'. Research among prostitutes in The Netherlands however indicate the excessive use of alcohol, meaning 25 glasses of alcohol a week, is only 7%.

Prostitutes working in sex clubs and private houses score twice as high as average. This is probably due to the fact that liquor is poured in the club, where they work, for their customers, and prostitutes take a cut of the profit from selling alcohol. And to stimulate the client to drink more, prostitutes themselves join in drinking alcohol.