Profile Of Substance Abusers Admitted At De-Addiction Centers In A City Of North Karnataka

Abstract

Introduction: Substance abuse is defined as ‘‘Harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs’’. The usage of substances can lead to health and social problems for the one, who consume them, and to the family members and to the community as well. Main substances used include tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, opiates, hallucinogens, amphetamines, prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse. In the modern world, there is no area that is free from the hazardous effects of drug trafficking and drug addiction. Billions of drug addicts are leading miserable lives, between life and death. The psychological and physical effects of substance use can vary based on the particular substance involved but still the general effects of a substance use disorder involving any substance is always disastrous. The usage of alcohol can affect almost all organs like liver, brain, cardiovascular system etc and it is well known that tobacco abuse can lead to various cancers and it also affects all organs. The problem caused by substance abuse is not just that of person or a community which he lives in and a drug, but it also involves interaction between the triad. Drug dependence causes not only economic burden through rising health care costs, but also social costs. As per 2013, an estimated 246 million globally using substances and cannabis is the most common consumed substance which is followed by opiods. In India, as per 2015, in population more than 15 years, prevalence of heavy episodic drinking is 17.2%. Men who use any kind of tobacco are 44.5 percent, 38.9 in urban and 48.0 in rural areas. Women who use any kind of tobacco are 6.8 percent in total, 4.4 in Urban and 8.1in rural areas. The present study aims to assess the profile of substance abusers admitted at the Drug De-addiction Centres in Belagavi, a city of North Karnataka. Objectives: Primary objectives: 1. To study the profile of substance abuse among patients admitted at de-addiction centers in a city of North Karnataka. 2. To know the pattern of substance abuse. Secondary objective: 1. To find out different triggers leading to substance abuse by qualitative in depth interview.