DRUG DEPENDENCY AND ITS ASSOCIATED PROBLE MS - RESULTS OF THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF ADDICTIONS

At present most of the research made in drug abuse, other than tobacco and alcohol, in Mexico has been focused on the study of its use. Ther e are not available epidemiological data showing the magnitude of depe ndence and its consequences. This article presents the prevalence of d rug dependence and related problems to drug abuse, as well as sociodem ographic predictors and consumption habits that lead a user to develop dependence. This research forms part of the National Household Survey in Addictions (ENA) undertaken by the Mexican Institute of Psychiatry and the General Directorate in Epidemiology, that was carried out in 12 to 65 years urban population with a fixed place of residence. It in cluded 18 items (EPACD) that evaluate dependence, psychological, and s ociofamiliar problems. This scale was answered by persons that reporte d intake of illegal drugs, use of medical drugs without prescription o r inhalation of solvents (n = 590). The analysis is based on a total o f 522 users who answered all items. Validity data of the scale has bee n reported elsewhere (17,18). In general, the results indicate that us ers report with more frequency having psychological problems related t o their consumption (33.8 %), followed by sociofamiliar problems (25.9 4 %). On the other hand, drug dependence affects 8.3 % of the users (0 .34 % bf the total urban population of the country). Logistic regressi on of predictors of dependence showed that in spite of the fact that t here were important differences in the sociodemographic distribution o f these subjects (most of them were males, under 35 years, and with hi gh school education), consuming more than one drug and consuming them frequently were the main predictors. Finally, the most relevant findin g is that problematic consumption is not a separate dimension of use. This topic, translated into practical applications (prevention program s), implies that those activities directed to reduce consumption would have a direct impact on problem reduction.