Substance abuse in Bhopal: An epidemiological survey

Background: Substance abuse has become a significant problem worldwide, affecting both developed and developing countries. In India, the situation is particularly concerning, with a likelihood of further increase in drug abuse and substitution of more potent drugs due to rapid industrialization and urbanization.
Methods: Descriptive Survey Research was carried out among Seventy males of different De-addiction and Rehabilitation centers in Bhopal during the period of 19 November to 18 December 2022. A Predesigned and Pretested questionnaire was used to collect information from the Respondents.
Results: Majority of the Respondents come from a background where the family or friends were into Drugs. Most of the Substance Users exist between the age group of 21-30 years. The major reason for the initiation of Drug according to the study was Curiosity and Enjoyment, and the major Source for initiation of Drugs were Friends (accounting to 86%) and Families (7%) respectively. Large number of the Respondents were Multi addicts followed by Alcohol, Ganja/Weed, Opioid and Cocaine Users.
Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive approaches to address the underlying reasons of substance abuse, including community and family engagement. This study highlights the complexity of substance abuse, with multiple factors driving drug initiation, including curiosity, external persuasion, and psychological stress.