Severity of opioid dependence and its relation with psychosocial factors of users.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between severe opioid dependence and psychosocial factors of users Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Psychiatry Nishtar Hospital Multan. Period: Nov 2018 to May 2020. Material & Methods: 196 participants were enrolled through non probability purposive sampling technique. Pearson chi square test was applied to identify significant relationship between severe opioid dependence and psychosocial factors. Result: Mean age of study cases was 30.86 ± 1.66. The frequency of severe opioid dependence was noted in 159 (81.1%) of study participants. Statistical significant relation of severe opioid dependence was noted with age, literacy status, literacy level, marital status, monthly income, route of opioid use, frequency of opioid use per day, previous detoxification treatment and encounters with law enforcement agencies Conclusion: The severity of opioid dependence was high in patients admitted for treatment of opioid use. Severe opioid dependence was related with certain psychosocial factors such as user’s age, literacy status, literacy level, marital status, monthly income, route of opiod use, frequency of opioid use, previous detoxification treatment for opioid use and encounters with law enforcement agencies. This suggests that optimal treatment of severe opioid dependence should include interventions based on individual’s psychosocial needs.