Abstract
Objective: Drug dependence is a global public health concern, affecting millions and contributing to widespread negative consequences. This research delves into the demographic characteristics of drug abuse patients at the Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH) Addiction Treatment Center in Lahore, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional research-based descriptive design, the study employs purposive sampling and a comprehensive questionnaire to collect data from 100 drug abusers. The analysis considered age, gender, socioeconomic status, residential area, occupation, education, marital status, and family system, shedding light on the diverse factors contributing to the drug dependence of the patients. Results: The results revealed a diverse age range (18-80 years) among participants (M=33,4, SD=10.3), most of them belonging to lower (34%) and middle class (39%); 67 respondents residing in the urban region and 32 from the rural areas. Heroin (32.3%) was reported to be the most consumed substance while cannabis (25.8%) and crystal methamphetamine (16.4%) were the second and third respectively taken mostly through sniffing. Among the reasons for using drugs, peer pressure came out to be the most reported cause. Conclusion: The findings underscored the complexity of drug dependence, necessitating targeted interventions that consider demographic variations that are crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies. The study contributed valuable knowledge to the existing scientific understanding of drug dependence, paving the way for more informed public health initiatives.
Published Version
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