Background: Substance abuse is a pervasive public health issue with profound impacts on individual and communities worldwide. In the Kashmir valley, the problem is exacerbated by a unique set of socio-political, economic and cultural challenges. The region has experienced prolonged conflict, leading widespread socio-economic instability, psychological trauma and disrupted social networks. The social, environmental and psychological well-being of individuals plays pivotal roles in the onset, prevalence and perpetuation of substance abuse in this area. Factors such as family dysfunction, peer pressure, stress are intricately linked to substance use behavior. These conditions create a fertile ground for the proliferation of substance abuse. Despite the growing concern, there is limited empirical data on the specific factors driving substance abuse in this context. The study seeks to fill this gap by exploring the contributory factors among patients attending Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (IMHANS), Kashmir, providing insights necessary for developing targeted intervention strategies.
Title of the study: “Assessment the contributory factors responsible for substance abuse among patients attending IMHANS, Kashmir.”
Methodology: A quantitative research approach with descriptive design was used to conduct the study on sample of 60 substance abuse patients were selected through non-probability convenient sampling technique. Assessment of contributory factors was done by using self structured interview schedule. Setting of the study was Drug De-addiction centre (DDC), at Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (IMHANS), Srinagar, Kashmir. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Findings revealed that the factor which contributed maximum to substance abuse was social factor (22.05%) whereas psychological factor was 16.92% followed by environmental factor (11.79%).
Conclusion: The findings underscore the multifaceted nature of substance abuse in Kashmir, influenced by a combination of socio-economic, psychological and environmental factors. Addressing these contributory factors through targeted interventions, policy changes and community support programs is crucial for effective prevention and treatment of substance abuse in the region. Further research is recommended to explore the long term impact of these interventions and to develop tailored strategies for different demographic groups.
Keywords: Substance abuse, Contributory factors, Psychological factor, social factor, environmental factor, Kashmir, IMHANS
