Comparison of Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Quality of Life in Drug Abusers with Normal Subjects

Abstract

Objective: This study compared depression, anxiety, stress and quality of life in drug abusers with normal population. Given that the above mentioned factors are pivotal in continuing addiction. Materials and Methods: In this comparative study, one hundred drug abusers who were admitted to quit addiction clinic in Rasht with one hundred normal people who were relatives of patients or staff in health centers as control group underwent study. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by DASS-21 and sf-36 questionnaire was used for quality of life assessment. Analysis of the results was performed using SPSS software (ver. 16).Results: The results showed that compared with normal individuals addicted to opiates significantly depression, anxiety and stress were higher. The quality of life of ordinary people was also significantly higher than those addicted to opiates. Depression, anxiety and stress were found to be negatively correlated with quality of life. Conclusion: Based on our findings, we can say, addiction, depression, anxiety and stress are related to the formation of a vicious cycle where addicts due to the loss of prestige and hit a by stander family, and the feelings of guilt and the legal treatment of depression, anxiety and more stress than individuals with and taking refuge in the lap of addiction try to get rid of these thoughts and feelings. This leads to a vicious cycle which will eventually lead to low quality of life for these individuals.