Factors Influencing Illicit Drug Substance Abuse and Its Perceived Psychosocial Impact Among Individuals Undergoing Deaddiction Treatment at Male Drug Rehabilitation Centers of Eastern Nepal

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Pharmacy, Purbanchal University School of Health Sciences, Sundarharaicha, Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal

2 Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

3 Department of Research and Academics, Kathmandu Cancer Center, Thathali, Bhaktapur, Nepal

4 NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

5 Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

6 Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal

10.34172/ahj.1647

Abstract

Background: Understanding drug abuse triggers is crucial for preventing youth from succumbing to addiction. This study aimed to identify the drivers and psychosocial factors influencing illicit drug-substance abuse among individuals undergoing deaddiction treatment at male drug rehabilitation centers in eastern Nepal.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 registered drug rehabilitation centers in Koshi Province, Nepal. The determinants and psychosocial impact were assessed using a semi-structured, five-point Likert scale questionnaire, and an overall factor mean score > 2.5 was considered high. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between predictors and outcome variables.
Findings: Overall, 229 participants with a median age of 25 years (Q1 = 21, Q3 = 29) were surveyed; the majority had finished secondary-level education (42.4%). Diazepam (66.4%) and tramadol (48.5%) were the most frequently abused pharmaceutical products, whereas marijuana (92.1%) and brown sugar (62%) were the most commonly abused illicit substances. The most common sources of acquiring illicit products were peers (84.7%), cross-border trade (74.2%), and pharmacies (53.3%). Exploratory analysis revealed that the family, socioeconomic factors, peers, and school-related factors had a high influence on illicit drug or substance abuse, and these factors were significantly associated with higher odds of developing adverse psychosocial impact (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Diazepam, tramadol, marijuana, and brown sugar were the most frequently abused illicit drugs and substances in eastern Nepal. Family, socioeconomic factors, peers, and school-related factors were found to have a substantial influence on drug addiction, and these were significantly associated with high psychosocial consequences.

Highlights

Prasanna Dahal(Google Scholar)(Pubmed)

Keywords

References

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Addiction & Health
Volume 17
Pages 1-9

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