Change in the profile of the service utilizers of a community-based drug treatment clinic: a retrospective study from India. (2nd November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gupta, Snehil; Chatterjee, Biswadip; Sarkar, Siddharth; Dhawan, Anju
• Is Part Of: Journal of substance use. Volume 27:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 623
• Page End: 628
• Publication Date: 2022-11-02
• Subjects: Community -- drug treatment clinic -- resettlement colony -- trend -- patient's profile; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medication abuse -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2021.1968970
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-9891

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Community-based drug treatment clinics (CB-DTC) aim to reduce the barriers to treatment-seeking among substance users. Literature is lacking in assessing the change in the profile of the clients seeking treatment from the CB-DTC over time. The current study aimed to assess the change in the profile of the service utilizers of a CB-DTC located in an urban slum in the northern part of India. Methods: A retrospective chart review of the profile of the patients (n = 631) who were enrolled at a CB-DTC at two different periods (n = 330, 2003; n = 301, 2017). Results: As compared to 2003, enrolees of 2017 had better socio-demographic profiles; earlier age of initiation of substance use and early treatment-seeking ( p < .0001); relatively higher prevalence of alcohol ( p < .0001) and volatile substance-dependence ( p < .001); lower prevalence of opioid dependence ( p < .0001); and lower prevalence of substance-related complications (injection drug use, illegal activities, and broken families) ( p < .001). However, there was no difference in prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors (HRSB) and polysubstance use. Conclusion: Changing profile of the service utilizers of the CB-DTC reflect the changing dynamics of the substance use pattern and the putative role a CB-DTC can play. Interventions need to be tailored to address these changing requirements.