Substance Use Disorder in Punjab: Patterns, Challenges, and Implications

Various government agencies like the National Drug Dependence Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme (NDDTRO) in India and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have reported that Punjab has a significant problem with substance abuse. This means that many people in Punjab struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol. To better understand this issue, the present study aims to find out which substances are most commonly used in Punjab, what physical, social, and psychological effects these substances have on people, and why people in Punjab use these substances in the first place. Total a number of 52 participants who shared their insights on the issues mentioned earlier. The results revealed that substance use has a significant impact on a person's personal life, career, and financial well-being. Additionally, a majority of participants identified ‘peer pressure' as one of the primary reasons for initially turning to substance use. The study contributes to the existing knowledge in this direction by shedding light on the specific substances and reasons for their use in a region that is known for its high prevalence.