Trends and statistics of drug addiction in a metropolitan city of Pakistan

Abstract

The use of illicit drugs is a curse for society, as it not only destroys individual lives but also negatively impacts entire families and communities. To address this issue, statistical analysis of prevalence is essential. This study aimed to collect data from various rehabilitation centers in Faisalabad. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that involved interviewing 150 respondents about their experiences with drugs. A statistical research showed that men were more likely than women to suffer from addiction and alcoholism. On the other hand, women were more likely to develop an addiction to medications that were prescribed by doctors and bought from pharmacies. Contrarily, the male population used a variety of illegal substances, such as morphine, cocaine, heroin, lorazepam, codeine, alcohol, cannabis, hashish, opium, and alprazolam. Females showed a higher tendency to become addicted to benzodiazepines due to their greater accessibility from pharmacies. Additionally, in married males, a significant family burden combined with low income was a major factor triggering addiction.