Exploring the determinants of drug abuse: a cross-sectional study on demographic, socioeconomic, and psychological factors
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background. Drug abuse poses a serious threat to youth productivity, affecting both physical health and cognitive abilities. This study aimed to investigate the major contributing factors and underlying determinants of drug abuse among patients receiving treatment at rehabilitation centers in Pakistan. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Fountain House and Ehsas Clinic in Lahore from February 2021 to May 2024, involving 384 patients aged 16–64 years, selected through consecutive non-probability sampling. Individuals with severe mental illness were excluded. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire through structured interviews covering demographics, drug use patterns, and health behaviors. Data were analyzed in SPSS v26.0 with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests for associations, and binary logistic regression to identify significant predictors of drug abuse. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. A total of 73.43% reported mental disturbance, 53.39% sought joy, and 41.89% had a family history of addiction. Long-term complications included aggression (20.05%), euphoria (17.19%), and sleep disorders (10.16%). Logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between drug abuse and low income (<20,000 PKR, OR = 7.683), addiction duration of 5–9 years (OR = 15.623), and teenage curiosity (OR = 19.393), all with p-values < 0.05. Conclusion. This study highlights critical socioeconomic and psychological contributors to drug abuse in Pakistan. Addressing these factors is essential for reducing addiction rates and improving national productivity and well-being.
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4416615565