A cross-sectional study of sociodemographic profile, availability, pattern of use, and service utilization by opioid users in a tertiary care hospital

Background: The menace of substance abuse is not only socially unacceptable but also emerging as a major public health challenge in many States of India, including Rajasthan. Aims: The aim of this study is to study the sociodemographic profile, pattern of use, availability of opioids, and process of seeking treatment services for opioid dependence. Subjects and Methods: After ethical clearance, a cross-sectional observational study was carried out among those who fulfilled the screening criteria at a tertiary care hospital. A self-designed pro forma was used, which included a sociodemographic profile, drug use profile and pattern, behaviors and practices, service access, and the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Results were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.25 (±12.4) years. The majority (98.3%) were males, married (91.7%), illiterate (33.3%), farmers (61.7%), 45.7% lived in Bikaner District, and 83.3% lived in rural areas. Crude opium was the most common drug used in the lifetime of 98% of users. The most common comorbid substance used was tobacco, used by 75% of them. In 85% of cases, opioid drugs were purchased with their own legal earnings. The major reasons for starting opioid drugs were peer pressure (38.3%), to relieve pain/stress (25%), and to increase physical stamina for work (33.3%). The majority (73.3%) of them had utilized services for deaddiction purposes earlier. Conclusion: The rural population in Western Rajasthan was highly affected by opium dependence. Participants were mainly low-potency opioid users without significant impairment in socio-occupational functioning, and their use was mainly to relieve stress and pain and to increase work capacity.