Causes, Trends and Consequence of Substance Abuse among Patients in Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2021-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AAU
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the causing factors of substance among
patients admitted for substance abuse in Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, examine
the trend of substance abuse and its consequences. The study utilized a qualitative research
method and employed a phenomenology design. An in-depth interview was the approach
used to gather data. The study used purposive and convenience sampling technique to draw
a total of 10 patients from the inpatient and outpatient treatment centers. The study
indicated that environmental, social, psychological factors like neighborhoods and schools
that have easy access to substances, peer pressure, religious rituals, unhealthy coping
mechanisms, and medical conditions that require taking prescribed medication are found
to be the causing factors of substances abuse. The study revealed the trend of substance use
among patients shows that “Kaht, Cigarette, Alcohol, Cannabis, Cocaine and Prescribed
medications” are widely used substances among patients. Besides, research participants
who abuse drugs were all young and at their productive age. As a result, the patient’s
relationship with family, significant other, and friends, their mental and physical health,
self-esteem, and finance was heavily affected by their substance abuse problem. Hence, the
study considers and recommends that if the coordinated effort of individuals, families,
schools, and the government can prevent this problem by placing early preventive actions
in plac