Comorbidity of psychological distress and abuse/ dependence of drugs, Guatemala City - Guatemala

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of psychological distress in patients treated at centers specialized in alcohol and drugs in Guatemala City. Cross-sectional study with 91 patients older than 18 years treated at the Treatment Center Executive Secretary of the Commission against Addictions and Illicit Drug Trafficking, and Casa Hogar Jireh. A questionnaire was adapted from form EULAC-CICAD to characterize the participants. The Kessler-10 scale was applied for detention of psychological distress. The results show that 68% of the total sample were between 18 and 39 years, the average age is 44. 95.6% were men. 32.9% referred previous diagnosis, related to anxiety (2.4%), depression (3.3%), schizophrenia (4.4%), and bipolar disorder (4.4%). The current mental health diagnosis is 17.58%. Conclusion: The K-10 indicates that 31.87% had severe and 39.56% very severe levels of psychological distress. This study shows that 71.43% is sensitive data with anxiety and depression and are similar to those reported in other international studies.