Abstract
Drug dependence is still to be recognized in developing countries as a significant public health problem and literature on the magnitude of this problem is limited. The present research was planned to study the socio-demographic profile and the reasons for substance use among patients admitted at De-addiction centres in Mangalore, India. In this cross-sectional study, all the patients admitted at the De-addiction centres during the study period were interviewed. The data was analyzed and the results obtained were expressed in proportions. A total of 83 patients were included in the study, all of whom were males. A positive family history of substance use was evident in 63% of the respondents. The mean age of the study participants was 41.9 (SD±11.2) years and the mean age for starting substance use was 20.9 (SD±7.7) years. The most common substance used was alcohol (95.2%). Majority of the subjects (56.6%) cited peer pressure as a reason for initiating substance use. Our findings suggest that the initiation of substance use occurs during late teenage years and mostly due to peer pressure. Our observations point towards the vulnerability of younger age towards substance use and hence, it is proposed that the preventive health policies in this regard should be targeted specifically during teenage years.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Substance abuse as ‘‘Harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs’’
Drug dependence is still to be recognized as a significant public health problem in India
The WHO reports that the main location for treatment of substance use disorders is the specialist substance abuse system, followed by the mental health system, the general health system, and primary care [1]
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Substance abuse as ‘‘Harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs’’ Repeated use of these substances can lead to dependence syndrome-a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena which involves a strong desire to take the drug, and difficulties in controlling its use [1]. Considering the current magnitude of substance use in most societies, and the limited resources available for treatment there is a need to develop services that can reach the maximum number of individuals and have the greatest impact at lowest cost This can be achieved with broad community-based health care services that can work with individuals in their own communities over longer periods of time [2]
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