Abstract
In India, substance abuse has infiltrated all socio-cultural and economic strata causing loss of productivity. Prevention of relapse is crucial for its control. To find out the pattern of substance use, relapse rate, its association with various socio-demographic factors and treatment related issues. An observational study with cross-sectional design during April 2009-March 2010 at a de addiction centre was conducted among consecutive 284 clients admitted with relapse. They were detoxified earlier in the same centre. Data were collected by interviewing clients with schedule and clinical examination. Brown sugar (an adulterated form of Heroin) was primary drug of abuse in urban area contrary to alcohol in rural area. Commonest age of initiation was between 15-20 years. Polydrug abusers (59.1%) were common. Only 31.3% of the relapse cases took regular follow up. Common psychiatric illnesses were anxiety (44.7%) and depression (30.6%). Peer pressure (77.8%) was commonest cause of relapse. Significantly higher relapse episodes were present with increasing age, Muslim religion, ever marriage, poor literacy, current unemployment, living in nuclear rather than joint family, early age of initiation, longer duration of abuse and no follow up. Regular follow up with family, peer and social support are essential along with vocational rehabilitation to prevent relapse.
Highlights
Substance abuse causes acute and chronic physical, psychological and social effects in varying amounts along with serious social problems in the form of crime, unemployment, family dysfunction and disproportionate use of medical care
We conducted an observational study with crosssectional design during April 2009-March 2010 at a de addiction centre run by a non Government organization, pioneer in the field of treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers funded by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
Most of the relapse cases were employed (61.3%), currently married (45.8%) and illiterates (10.2%). 34.2% were below poverty line according to Modified Prasad socio-economic scale10; 57.7% belonged to nuclear families and maximum proportion were urban residents (60.5%)
Summary
Substance abuse causes acute and chronic physical, psychological and social effects in varying amounts along with serious social problems in the form of crime, unemployment, family dysfunction and disproportionate use of medical care. Prevention of relapse is crucial for control of substance abuse disorder. Methods: An observational study with cross-sectional design during April 2009-March 2010 at a de addiction centre was conducted among consecutive 284 clients admitted with relapse. They were detoxified earlier in the same centre. Higher relapse episodes were present with increasing age, Muslim religion, ever marriage, poor literacy, current unemployment, living in nuclear rather than joint family, early age of initiation, longer duration of abuse and no follow up.
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