Reasons for help-seeking and associated fears in subjects with substance dependence

Patients seek treatment for substance use disorders because of certain reasons that they consider significant and important, but on the other hand, they do have various fears or apprehensions about the treatment, which act as barriers for treatment-seeking. In this study, we aim to assess their reasons for seeking treatment, the associated fears about treatment, their social support and locus of control, and also to find the relationship among these variables.

One hundred subjects attending the Drug Deaddiction and Treatment Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) were prospectively recruited, with purposive sampling from 15 June to 14 July, 2011. The sociodemographic and clinical variables were ascertained through a semi-structured performa. The PGI Locus of Control Scale, Social Support Scale, and Reasons of Help-seeking and Fear Questionnaire were applied.

The common reasons for seeking treatment were - having become a habitual user, taking substance for a long time, and a need to take it every day. The common fears about treatment were the fear of disappointing others, loss of secrecy of substance use, and being considered a failure in life. The locus of control was primarily internal. Certain reasons like taking substance for a long time, feeling ill, and feeling sad were associated with a lower social support. Social support was not associated with the locus of control. The most affected areas of impairment were finance and health.

Certain reasons and fears regarding treatment are more common than others. It is important to look into reasons and fears that are related to better treatment outcomes.