Research News

Supervised by Dr. Roquia Begum

Abstract

Substance dependency is clearly a problem for almost every country. The purpose of the current study was to understand the developmental process of substance dependency. Examination of existing literature on substance dependency in Bangladesh revealed the need for conducting such a study. Qualitative research design was adopted in conducting the present study. Clients with substance dependency were selected from a drug treatment and rehabilitation center through purposive sampling technique. In-depth interview was used as data collection tool. I'he topic guide developed for this purpose, contained qualitative information regarding sources of substance related information before First Substance Use(FSU), knowledge and attitude towards substance before FSU, psychological mechanisms that helped to change the substance related attitude before FSU, determinants of First Substance Use(FSU), reasons for switching to different substances, determinants of substance dependency, first substance use (FSU) phenomena and first dependency phenomena on prime choice of substance. Analysis of information given by the substance abusers revealed that they received substance related negative information from their parents, grandfathers, text book, TV advertisement, poster etc. and positive information from substance dependent individuals including cousins, friends, senior brothers, family members as well as lyrics of songs & poems, model’s drug using behavior, article v^ith colorful picture on substance taking and observing dependent person on street or spot. The study also revealed that although most of the respondents had negative attitude towards substance, some of the respondents also had positive attitude towards substance before their first substance use. It was found that respondents commonly used modeling, rationalization, fantasy, acquisition of positive information for modifying their negative attitude and also enhanced positive attitude towards substances and their effects. It was found that initial substance use is the result of number of psychological and social factors. It was observed that when respondents exposed to a substance related situation on first time and also during the cessation of substance use after development of regular drug taking pattern, they experienced different types of feelings, cognition, physical reactions and were associated with some behavioral responses prior, during and after the period of first experience of substance use and also cessation period. It was also found that some triggering cues, cognition, stereotype behavior pattern and also increasing amount of substance were associated with their substance dependency. The present study suggests a number of different possible reasons as contributors of switching to different substance use. A model of developmental process of substance dependency in Bangladeshi culture has also been developed on the basis of the analysis of the present research. It is hoped that this model wall help to develop a plan for better treatment program addressing the developmental process for psychological services for the clients with substance dependency.