Effect of substance dependence on the quality of life of patients registered in tertiary hospital’s drug de-addiction center

Introduction: Substance dependence significantly impacts various dimensions of an individual's life, leading to a decline in physical health, emotional stability, and social functioning. The quality of life (QoL) in these individuals is often compromised due to the long-term consequences of addiction, such as deteriorating relationships, poor mental health, and decreased occupational productivity. Objective: An exploratory study was conducted to assess the effect of substance dependence on the Quality of life of substance-dependent subjects in DDTC, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Material & methods: The sample size consisted of 50 subjects from the DDTC ward and OPD. A convenience sampling technique was adopted. Data was collected using a socio-demographic profile sheet and the standardized tool “WHO QOL BREF.” Results: The results of the study indicated that the majority of participants (48%) rated their quality of life as neither poor nor good, and 38% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their general health. Pain was a significant issue for 46%, impacting their daily activities, while 40% felt the need for medical treatment to perform daily tasks. Regarding energy levels, a substantial number of subjects reported adequate energy, and 36% were satisfied with their sleep. In terms of psychological health, 32% enjoyed life to a moderate degree, 48% found life to be very meaningful, and 30% had moderate concentration ability. Social health showed that 48% were satisfied with their relationships, though 28% expressed dissatisfaction with support from friends. In terms of environmental health, 44% felt very safe in their daily life, 54% viewed their physical environment as healthy, and 50% were satisfied with their living conditions. Conclusion: Current study findings emphasize the need to consider various life challenges in treatment and recovery programs for substance-dependent individuals.