Study of the Socio-Demographic Profile, Pattern of Substance Abuse and Criminal Behaviour in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/jiafm.2024.46.1.12Keywords:
Opioid addiction, Criminal behaviour, Criminality, Alcohol, Cannabis.Abstract
With the ongoing increase in supply, temptations, stressful lifestyle and easy availability, substance abuse is growing amongst different populations at an alarming rate. Its demand is increasing alarmingly in the younger generation due to various socio-economical reasons. Substance abuse has also been found to be associated with violent behaviour and infectious diseases. The aims of this study were to find out the socio-demographic profile, pattern of substance abuse and criminal behaviour associated with Opioid Use Disorder. 106 diagnosed patients of Opioid Use Disorder registered at the OSTCentre, Department of Psychiatry, S.R.N. Hospital, associated with Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj were included. All patients were interviewed according to a semi-structured questionnaire prepared for the purpose of collection of information regarding patterns of opioid abuse and history of criminal behaviour, if any. Out of 106 cases, 48 were found with a history of criminal behaviour. Criminal behaviour was found mostly amongst the cases of unemployed and uneducated cases. Cannabis was found to be the most common substance used prior to initiation of opioid abuse. The 20-29 years age group was found to be the most vulnerable age group for initiation of opioid abuse and commission of crime. Accordingly, the 2nd and 3rd decade of life needs better familial and social support along with strict law enforcement related to the supply of illicit substances.
Downloads
References
United Nations. UNODC World Drug Report 2021: pandemic effects ramp up drug risks, as youth underestimate cannabis dangers [Internet]. United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime. 2021. Available from: https://www.unodc.org/ unodc/press/releases/2021/June/unodc-world-drug-report 2021_-pandemic-effects-ramp-up-drug-risks--as-youth underestimate-cannabis-dangers.html
Boles, S. M., and K. Miotto. 2003. “Substance Abuse and Violence: A Review of the Literature.” Aggression and Violent Behaviour 8 (2) :155–74.
Vaish S, Sharma D, Sushil C, Usman N, Sudarsanan S, Aggarwal A. A Study of personality profile and criminal behavior in substance abusers. Industrial Psychiatry Journal [Internet]. 2015;24(1):35. Available from: https://
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4525429/
4. Kumar N, Kanchan T, Unnikrishnan B, Thapar R, Mithra P, Kulkarni V, et al. Profile of Substance Use among Patients Attending De-Addiction Centres in a Coastal City of Southern India. Mendelson JE, editor. PLoS ONE. 2013 Feb 28;8(2):e57824.
Bhat BA, Dar SA, Hussain A. Sociodemographic profile, pattern of Opioid use, and clinical profile in patients with Opioid Use Disorders attending the de-addiction center of a tertiary care hospital in North India. Indian J Soc Psychiatry 2019;35:173-8.
Mohanty R, Senjam G, Singh NH. Psychiatric co morbidities among Opioid dependent patients attending department of psychiatry, regional institute of medical sciences hospital, Manipur. Indian J Soc Psychiatry 2018;34:132-6.
Jumade PP, Kasbe AM, Giri PA. Socio-demographic profile of male drug abusers residing in Mumbai city, Maharashtra, India. Int J Community Med Public Health 2016;3:1115-8.
Sharma S, Sharma G, Barkataki B. Substance use and criminality among juveniles-under-enquiry in New Delhi. Indian J Psychiatry. 2016 Apr-Jun;58 (2) :178-82. Hammersley, R., Forsyth, A., Morrison, V. and Davies, J.B. (1989), The Relationship Between Crime and Opioid Use. British Journal of Addiction, 84: 1029-1043.
Hammersley R, Forsyte A, Morrison V, Davies JB. The Relationship Between Crime and Opioid Use. Addiction. 1989 Sep;84(9):1029–43.
10. Lundholm L. Substance Use and Violence : Influence of Alcohol, Illicit Drugs and Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on Violent Crime and Self-directed Violence [Internet] [PhD dissertation]. [Uppsala]: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis; 2013. (Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine). Available from: https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-193301
Fernández-Montalvo J, López-Goñi JJ, Arteaga A, Cacho R. Criminological profile of patients in addiction treatment. Adicciones. 2013;25 (2) :146-55.
Poirier MF, Laqueille X, Jalfre V, Willard D, Bourdel MC, Fermanian J, Olié JP. Clinical profile of responders to buprenorphine as a substitution treatment in heroin addicts: results of a multicenter study of 73 patients. Prog
Back SE, Payne RL, Wahlquist AH, Carter RE, Stroud Z, Haynes L, Hillhouse M, Brady KT, Ling W. Comparative profiles of men and women with Opioid dependence: results from a national multisite effectiveness trial. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2011 Sep;37 (5) :313-23.
Williams AR. Cannabis as a Gateway Drug for Opioid Use Disorder. J Law Med Ethics. 2020 Jun;48 (2) :268-274.
Gordon MS, Kinlock TW, Battjes RJ. Correlates of Early Substance Use and Crime Among Adolescents Entering Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. 2004 Jan;30(1):39–59.
Gustavson C, Ståhlberg O, Sjödin AK, Forsman A, Nilsson T, Anckarsäter H. Age at onset of substance abuse: a crucial covariate of psychopathic traits and aggression in adult offenders. Psychiatry Res. 2007 Oct 31;153 (2) :195-8.
Slade EP, Stuart EA, Salkever DS, Karakus M, Green KM, Ialongo N. Impacts of age of onset of substance use disorders on risk of adult incarceration among disadvantaged urban youth: a propensity score matching approach. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008 May 1;95 (1-2) :1-13.
