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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2024, 26, 37

Mental well-being and illicit drug use related risk factors in Sri Lankan institutionalised male drug users

Nuwan Darshana, Champa Wijesinghe, and Vijitha De Silva

Digital Object Identifier:
https://doi.org/10.62401/2531-4122-2024-37

Summary: Background. The use of illicit drugs is associated with adverse mental health consequences, while people with mental illnesses are prone to get addicted to illicit drugs. This study aimed to describe mental well-being and its associations among male drug users in selected rehabilitation centres in Sri Lanka. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 431 male drug users in five selected rehabilitation centres in Sri Lanka. An interviewer-administered questionnaire with a clinical interview was used for data collection. Medical records were reviewed to obtain details related to psychiatric illnesses. Risk factors were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis at a 0.05 significance level. Results. Approximately 5% of the participants had been treated for psychiatric illness at least once in their lifetime. In contrast, a considerable proportion of the sample experienced psychological symptoms before admission into the rehabilitation centre. None of the drug-related factors was identified as either risk or protective factors for having a psychiatric illness, but initiation of drug use after adolescence and having higher problematic levels were identified risk factors for experiencing psychological symptoms. Interestingly, polydrug use and higher problematic levels were identified as risk factors for having severe suicidal thoughts. In contrast, initiation of drug use after adolescence, polydrug use and having higher problematic levels were identified as risk factors for experiencing suicidal attempts. Conclusions. Mental health problems are a significant concern among drug users. Screening of drug users for mental well-being is recommended to improve outcomes.

Keywords: Illicit drug use; mental wellbeing; associated factors; rehabilitation centers