Emotional Problems among Substance Dependent Patients Undergoing Detoxification

Abstract

A substance abuse is a mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to a person’s inability to control the use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, or alcohol. Substance abuse have a variety of symptoms that range from moderate to severe, and ended with addiction the most severe form. On the other hand, the researchers have found that about half of individuals who experience a substance abuse during experience a co-occurring mental disorder. Co-occurring disorders can include anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and schizophrenia (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021). The withdrawal symptoms resulting from substance abuse can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening in some cases. Hence, medically assisted detoxification is the process of disengaging a person from a specific psychoactive substance in a safe and effective manner. The choice of which strategy to use for detoxification can depend on many factors, involving clinical judgment, the users' personal preference and circumstances, lifestyle and expectations, degree of dependence and concomitant health problems (Anderson, 2020). This study aimed to assess the emotional problems among substance dependent patients undergoing detoxification. Research question: What are emotional problems among substance dependent patients undergoing detoxification? Research design: - Descriptive design has been utilized in this study. Research setting: The study was conducted in the National Center for Addiction affiliated to the Abbasia mental health hospital. Subjects of the study: A sample of 92 substance dependent patients who agree to participate in the study and fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: • Sex: both sexes. • Age: from18 to 45 years. • Number of admission: (has a previous admission). • Period of substance dependence: one year or more.