Comorbid physical and mental health illness of prescription opioid abusers attending de-addiction centers of Sikkim: A Northeastern State of India

Abstract

Objective: To recognize comorbid medical and psychiatric illness of treatment-seeking prescription opioid abusers in Sikkim. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 223 individuals who were seeking the treatment for prescription opioid and other substance abuse-related problems at different de-addiction centers of Sikkim. Subjects and Methods: Participants were interviewed by a single interviewer by administering pretested questionnaires. Those who gave informed consent were included in this study. Statistical Analysis Used: Database development and analysis were carried out using SPSS software version 20. Results: The mean age of prescription opioid abusers was 27 years. Prescription opioid abuse was found prevalent among unmarried, school dropout (40%) and those living in a nuclear family. A majority reported having serious employment problems in lifetimes. Dextropropoxyphene was reported as most used prescription opioid. About 52% reported getting hospitalized several times for chronic medical problems in lifetimes. Incidences of psychological distress, such as anxiety/tension (96.9% vs. 68.3%), were reported more than psychiatric problems such as severe depression in lifetimes. Conclusion: Increased incidences of prescription opioid abuse and need of treatment for substance abuse disorder and associated comorbid chronic health issues and psychiatric as well as the psychological illness was observed in Sikkim.