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Azza S. H Greiw, MBBS, M Sc, LBM, Family & Community Medicine, University of Garyounis, 448, Benghazi, Libya, 00218-61-9095490, azza_sad@yahoo.com and Ratan Singh, MBBS, MD, Family and Community Medicine, Family and Community Medicine, Al Tahady University, Sirt, Libya., Medical Faculty, Al Tahady University, Sirt, Libya.

The present study is a case series study of Libyan substance abusers admitted to Benghazi Psychiatric Hospital. It has analyzed the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics along with the pattern of the addictive substances and their impact on self, family and community. Majority of patients were males, young, urban residents, with low education, self-employed, and singles. Regarding home environment quite a significant proportions belong to single parent families. The rapid urban growth creates severe pressure on urban infrastructure, stress on the residents and competition for employment on young population. The mean age of onset of substance-use ranged between 12 to 27 years and mean duration of substance-use was 11years. For more than half of them, the source of substances was a friend. The reasons for substance-seeking behavior were mostly for feeling good or pleasure or enjoy for leisure time and possibly for combating frustration, quenching, and curiosity and for experiencing relaxation. They spent a lot of money to get psychoactive substances. Majority of cases were using poly drugs, mainly heroin intravenously with longer period of use and failure to stop the use of these substances due to craving and peer effect. These substances influenced their behavior leading to increased tendency for suicidal trials and aggressive behavior and violence towards their families and community either in the form of quarrels or criminal acts, often leading to arrests or causing many of car accidents. Suggestions have been made for further study and for control of the problem in the county.

Learning Objectives:

• To reveal socio-demographic characteristics of substance abusers.
• To study the mode and pattern of substance-use among cases admitted to psychiatric hospital.
• To identify the factors responsible for initial use and relapse.
• To study the impact of substance-use on self, family and community.

Keywords: Drug Addiction, Vulnerable Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered