Addiction profile in probation practices in Turkey: 5-year data analysis

• Published in: Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment Vol. 11; no. default; pp. 2259 - 2263
• Main Authors: Yazici, Ahmet Bülent, Yazici, Esra, Akkisi Kumsar, Neslihan, Erol, Atila
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Age; Alcohol; Analysis; Care and treatment; Drug abuse; Drug addiction; Drug use; Health services; Hospitals; Imprisonment; Legal medicine; Marijuana; Mental health; Original Research; Parole & probation; Patients; Probation; Psychiatry; Social aspects; Sociodemographics; Statistical analysis; Substance abuse; Substance abuse treatment; Urine; United States > US; Europe; Turkey; substance use; cannabis; crime; addiction
• ISSN: 1176-6328; 1178-2021; 1178-2021
• DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S89417

While drug addiction is a global problem, it is important for every region to know the general features of its own addicts in order to develop effective treatment programs. This study presents sociodemographic data of the individuals diagnosed with drug addiction. In this study, data of the patients between the years of 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were assessed at psychiatry polyclinics according to probation practices of drug abuse. The study involved 513 patients in whom drug positivity was detected in urine analysis at least once and whose diagnoses were confirmed with a clinical interview. According to this study, a majority of the addicts were detected in 2013. Males made up 98.2% of the sample population, their average age was 32.12±10.21 years, and minimum and maximum ages for the first drug use were 7 years and 45 years, respectively. Marijuana use was found in 90.8% of the patients, 90% of them were living with their families, and 59.6% of them held a regular job. Treatment response was related with age of first use of drugs, duration of use drugs, and prior treatment anamnesis of the patients. In this study, it was determined that the drug which was most frequently was used marijuana. The risk of drug addiction can affect any individual in society, regardless of their education, occupation, or social support levels. Alternative treatment models, especially for chronic and long-term users, should be researched.