Pattern of Substance Use: Study in a De-addiction Clinic.
OBJECTIVE
Substance use disorders have become a major public health problem in Bangladesh. We sought to assess the pattern of substance use and related factors among hospitalized patients.


METHODS
This was a descriptive study that included 105 patients. All patients who were admitted to a private drug de-addiction clinic in Dhaka, Bangladesh, between 1 July and 31 December 2013 and diagnosed with substance use disorder were enrolled in the study. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and the information was complemented by the case-notes.


RESULTS
Almost all (90.5%) respondents were male and were poly-substance users (91.4%). The mean age of respondents was 28.8±8.0 years. Most (27.6%) respondents used three types of substances. Smoking or inhalation was the route used by most (90.5%) respondents. More than three-fourths (81.0%) of respondents used nicotine. Among the other substances, the majority (79.0%) used opioids, followed by cannabinoids (55.2%), and alcohol (41.0%). Curiosity, peer pressure, and for fun were identified as the common reasons for initiating substance use.


CONCLUSIONS
A high proportion of poly-substance use was found in the study population. Our findings could help in the management and development of prevention strategies for substance use in Bangladesh.
Department of Adult Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Mohammad Muntasir
MM
Maruf
Department of Child, Adolescent and Family Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Muhammad Zillur Rahman
MZ
Khan
Department of Psychiatry, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Nasim
N
Jahan
Alcohol Addiction; Bangladesh; Drug Addiction; Substance Abuse.