Predictors of initiation, continuation and transition of drug use in south-eastern Iran

To identify factors associated with the initiation continuation, transition and cessation of substance abuse in Zahedan, Iran.

The retrospective study reviewed the profile of 536 addicts admitted to both public and private outpatient treatment centres in the study area. For each individual, data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, initiation and patterns of drug abuse and any changes in the patterns. To analyze the data, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, Log-rank test, Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used.

The median age of the first drug abuse was 20 (95% CI: 19.7 - 20.3) years with significant heterogeneity by gender and marital status (p < 0.001). The age of the first drug use and maritaI status were significant factors for the continuation of drug use (p < 0.001). The study also indicated that male gender, single life, low level of education, early onset of substance use and type of first used drug act as facilitators for transition to new drugs (p < 0.05). Besides, the present study revealed the significant effect of marital status, education and type of first used drug on personal decisions towards drug use cessation (p < 0.05).

A number of predictive factors of substance abuse identified in the study are of utmost important for any preventive effort.