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

Abstract

Background: The use of illicit drug is curse for a society. It not just only destroys one’s life but the whole family and community is affected. To deal with this issues statistical analysis of prevalence is essential. Method: The present study aimed to collect data from different rehabilitation centers in Faisalabad. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study, interviewing 150 respondents about characteristics of drugs. Results: After statistical analysis of respondents, it was found that males were more prone to addiction and alcoholism as compared to females. The females were inclined towards the addiction of drugs which were prescribed by physician and available at pharmacies. The male population was using all sorts of illicit drugs including alcohol, cannabis, hashish, opium, alprazolam, nalbuphine, morphine, cocaine, heroin, lorazepam and codeine. Conclusion: Females were more prone to addiction of benzodiazepam due to ease of availability to them from pharmacy stores. A higher family burden compare to low income was a main element to trigger addiction in married males.