Sociodemographic characteristics and related factors of substance use in Pakistan; a retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Objective

The current study was conducted to determine the sociodemographic characteristics, such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, and education, that may predispose and increase the likelihood of individuals becoming addicted.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in February 2021 at the Institute of Rehabilitation and Drug Addiction Center (IRADA), Islamabad-Pakistan, to which individuals aged 17 years and above were referred for treatment. A total of 566 patient records from January 2019 to December 2020 were studied retrospectively. These records showed that individuals were admitted to the center for treatment of addiction.

Result

A total of 566 patients with substance user records were studied. Patients age range was 17–50 years. Results showed that majority of the patients initiated drug use at the age of adolescent and young adult. Further substance users had low level of education, approximately 86.1% of participants were below secondary school education whereas 69.9% patients were at secondary school level of education. Moreover, the results showed that cannabis was most used drug 29.2% followed by cigarette 26.1%. Peer pressure, fun, enjoyment and family dispute were the major reasons to start substance use.

Conclusion

The different socio-demographic characteristics were significantly positive associated with different opioid addiction.

KEYWORDS:

• Opioid
• addiction
• sociodemographic

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to all the staff who helped in providing the data. The authors are also grateful to the Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Rehabilitation and Drug Addiction Center (IRADA), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.