BENZODIAZEPINE ABUSE: A SURVEY STUDY OF THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF BENZODIAZEPINE ABUSE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN DIR LOWER, KPK, PAKISTAN

Context: The current research activity investigates into one of the growing problems in the study area that is the abuse of non-prescribed benzodiazepines among young people. The activity is an effort to identify types of benzodiazepines abused, its causes and consequences.

Objectives: This study is based on three main objectives; first, to identify types of benzodiazepines abused in the setting; second, to identify the causes of abuse of benzodiazepines among young people; and third, to explore the consequences of abuse of benzodiazepines among young people.

Design: Face-to-face household surveys.

Setting: Chakdara and Ouch, Khyber Pakhtun Khwa, Pakistan.

Participants: Community-dwelling adults (N = 229).

Results: Findings of the study are theorized into three dimensions; first, many types of benzodiazepine are abused by respondents primarily including alprazolam and diazepam; second, there are various causes of abuse of benzodiazepines among youth. Among such causes having enough income and information to avail benzodiazepines, perception that benzodiazepines always have positive effect and lower levels of side effects, persistent tensions, taunting and quarrelling at home, and abuse after prescription as well as open availability in markets are important to be mentioned; third, abusing benzodiazepines have many adverse consequences among youth. The most notable among such consequences are minor physical side effects i.e. headache, tremors, drowsiness, minor psychological side effects such as aggressiveness, poor concentration, confusion, hangover, dependence and tolerance development and decreased responsibilities of their own lives are notable consequences.