A study of profile of patients admitted in the drug de-addiction centers in the state of punjab

Introduction: In Punjab, drug addiction is a cancer which is crippling the mental and physical well being of the youth population of Punjab. There are 15 DDCs supported by Indian Red Cross Society in Punjab and many private DDCs are also functional. So this study is an attempt to know the profile of patients taking treatment from these centres. Materials and Methods: 7 DDCs run by Indian Red Cross Society & 3 DDCs being run by Private registered societies located in various districts of Punjab were included. A pretested questionnaire was used to interview the patients who were admitted. Results: 120 patients were interviewed. All were males. 47.5% were in age group of 20-30 years. Mean age of starting drug abuse was 21.15±5.29 years. 79.2% patients started drugs due to peer pressure. 59% belonged to rural area. 46% were in upper middle socioeconomic status & 65% patients were married. Patients were using more than one route and 13.3% were on IDU. As per single drug usage, 20.8% were addicted to alcohol & 20.8% to capsule. As per multiple drug usage, 62.5% were tobacco addict, 42.5% to alcohol & 40.8% to capsule. Rs 170.63 was the average amount spent per day. 85.0% patients were dependent on self for buying drugs. 16% patients had positive family history of drug abuse. 60% patients were brought to centre by family members. 39.2% patients had positive history of previous treatment at any other DDC. Conclusions: It is recommended that both Red Cross & Private DDCs should be checked regularly by authorities like Civil Surgeon and Deputy Commissioner & private centers should also be supported & promoted by the government so that these centers run in a better way & can provide more facilities. International Journal of Research in Health Sciences. (Supplement) July –Sept 2013; Volume1, Issue-2 53 44 great concern both due to the social and economic burden caused by substance abuse. National Survey (2004), on extent, pattern and trend of drug abuse conducted at the behest of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), Government of India and United Nations indicates that among males 12-60 years, drug abuse is quite common in the country. Tobacco was the most frequently used substance (55.8%), followed by alcohol (21.4%), cannabis (3.0%), opiates (0.7%) and sedatives (0.1%). About 15 million persons addicted to alcohol and various kinds of other drugs need urgent attention for their treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration into social mainstream. It was found that the five states reporting the largest numbers of drug users in descending order were Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar, and Kerala [6]. Drug abuse is also associated with increased risk of other diseases like HIV and STD’s. In India, among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), HIV seroprevalence is as high as 8.71 percent [7]. Drug addiction or substance abuse is a pathological or abnormal condition which arises due to frequent drug use. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behavior, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli. DSM-IV has categorized three stages of addiction: a) preoccupation/anticipation, characterized by constant cravings and pre-occupation with obtaining the substance, b) binge/intoxication, characterized by using more of the substance than necessary to experience the intoxicating effects and c) withdrawal/negative effect characterized by experiencing tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and decreased motivation for normal life activities. According to DSM-IV, TR 2000; criteria for substance (drugs) dependence is “a maladaptive pattern of substance (drugs) use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress”, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period: (1) Tolerance, as defined by either of the following: (a) a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve Intoxication or desired effect (b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance (2) Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following: (a) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (b) the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms (3) The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended. (4) There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use. (5) A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recover from its effects. (6) Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use. (7) The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption). (8) Drug treatment-cum-rehabilitation centre play an important role to make drug addict, free of addiction. It provide services to the community as awareness generation, Identification of addicts, motivational counselling, detoxification/de-addiction, vocational rehabilitation, after care and re-integration into the social mainstream and preventive education [8]. In Punjab, drug addiction is a cancer which is crippling the mental and physical well being of the youth population of Punjab, rendering them lifeless. Youth with lots of time, money and lacking parental supervision get easy lured into the drug habit, either prompted by peers or on their own. This study is an attempt to study the profile of patients admitted in drug de-addiction centers running across various districts of Punjab to get an insight into the problem. Materials and Methods This study was done in ten drug de-addiction centers situated across various districts of Punjab. Selection of DDCs: In Punjab, there are 15 drug deaddiction centers which are run by Indian Red Cross Society [9]. There are more private de-addiction centers run by private registered societies. 7 DDCs run by Indian Red Cross Society (selected by random sampling from 15 centers in list) and 3 DDCs being run by private International Journal of Research in Health Sciences. (Supplement) July –Sept 2013; Volume1, Issue-2 54 44 Vikram Kumar Gupta – Profile of patients admitted in the drug de-addiction centers www.ijrhs.com