Types of Substance Use Disorder among Adolescents- A Descriptive and Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Substance-related disorders are psychiatric disturbances developing during or following substance use, and attributable to it. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in adolescents, is a condition in which the use of one or more substances leads to distress. It is a significant public health problem globally with a higher burden in low and middle-income countries. Objective: To determine the types of substance use disorder among adolescents. Methods and Materials: This descriptive and observational study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 2016 to September 2018. Participants 75 (seventy five) Psychiatric Comorbidity among Adolescents with Substance Use Disorder patients included in the study. Data collection of Central Drug Addiction Treatment Centre (CDC), Tejgaon, Dhaka and Ashokti Punorbashon Nibash (APON), Singair, Manikganj, Bangladesh. Adolescents with Substance Use Disorder aged between 11 to 17 years. Only male patients were taken as the sample because the above-mentioned treatment facilities do not provide service for the female adolescents. There are two groups of substance-related disorders: substance use disorders and substance-induced disorders. Results: The present study aimed at assessing the presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders among adolescents with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) included a total of 70 adolescents. Over half (60%) of the respondents were <15 years old, and 40% of the respondents were >15 years age. The mean age of the respondents was 13.2 ± 2.1 years, and the range was 11-17 years. More than three-quarters (81.4%) of the respondents were Muslim and 14.2% Hindus.  Very few were Christian and Buddhist.  Around 66% of the respondents had in the primary level of education and 80% were from a joint family with 20% having 5 – 6 family members. About 50% of the adolescents interviewed had Tobacco Use Disorder (51.4%), followed by Cannabis Use Disorder (47.1%). Among the respondents, 22.8% had no psychiatric illness. The overall psychiatric disorders among adolescents were 77.1% (54 out of 70).  Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that adolescents with SUD. Understanding the relationship in etiological perspective and variables which influences the problem will help to provide intervention services for adolescents affected by SUD.