Evaluation of the Tendency to Relapse for the Patient with Substance Use Disorder at De-Addiction Centers

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to assessment of the tendency to relapse in a patient with a substance use disorder in drug addiction center.

Methods: A correlation study design was used to conduct a questionnaire survey at two drug rehabilitation centers in Iraq. Participants 15 years of age or older showed signs of mental stability and had been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Two tools were used for data collection a demographic data questionnaire created by researchers, a time-to-relapse questionnaire containing 20 items, and a time-to-relapse questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha of 89.5. Statistical analysis was conducted in IBM SPSS 20.0 using whole numbers and percentages, while mean and standard deviation were used to define continuous variables.

Results: The results indicate most patients with substance use disorder are males with an average age of 26 years old, (47.1%) are unmarried, (44.3%) are married, and (38.6%) are in primary school graduation, (50%) working free work, (24.3%) are retired, and (57.2%) with a low monthly income. (44.33%) started to use the substance with the age group of 19-less than 26 years, (72.9%) admitted one admission, (64.3%) used mainly amphetamines (crystal), (51.4%) had one relapse, (54.3%) of patients associated with moderate tendency to relapse. The findings indicate reasonable direction among all scale items except items 3 and 9, which show low. No significant relationship has been reported with the tendency to relapse concerning patients’ sociodemographic characteristics.

Conclusions: We find that most addicts are men; Crystal is the most used substance among young men, with moderate tendency.

Recommendations: We recommend spreading the culture of treating addiction cases by opening exceptional hospitals, developing a policy to address and reduce this phenomenon, and activating the role of the media in combating drugs. These measures will involve relevant institutions and joint committees to facilitate cooperation.