Socio-demographic Profile of Patients Diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: ADS is a major community health issue in India, which results in a lot of medical, psychological, and social morbidities. Age, level of education, occupation, socioeconomic status, family setup, and early alcohol consumption pursuits are socio-demographic aspects that play a paramount role in the development and progression of alcohol dependence. Knowing the socio-demographic profile of patients with ADS is necessary to identify high-risk groups and determine how the intervention (preventive or therapeutic) can be planned effectively. The objective is to research the socio-demographic characteristics of patients who turned up in a tertiary care hospital with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome. Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional observational study conducted over 18 months at a teaching tertiary care hospital in India. A sample of 100 patients who had a clinical diagnosis of alcohol dependency syndrome based on the ICD classification was selected to take part in the study upon informed consent. The socio-demographic variables, such as character of age, education, occupation, domicile, socioeconomic status, religion, marital status, type of family, and family history of alcoholism, were evaluated using a semi-structured pro forma. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Most patients were aged individuals in the economically productive segment, with middle-aged individuals predominating. The vast majority of participants had an education up to primary or secondary school level and remained in unskilled or semi-skilled professions. The majority of the patients were of lower and lower-middle socioeconomic classes. There was a higher prevalence of alcohol dependence among people who were in nuclear families, and a high proportion had a positive family history of alcoholism. It was common among the study subjects to start drinking at an early age. Conclusion: The results suggest that alcohol dependence syndrome is associated mostly with individuals who belong to the socio-demographic background of vulnerability. The age at which it is initiated and the family alcoholism history seem to be among the factors that may be significant. The discovery of such socio-demographic determinants is vital to the formulation of specialized prevention measures and the enhancement of de-addiction facilities at the community and tertiary care levels. Keywords: Alcohol addiction; demography; tertiary care hospital; cross-sectional study; substance use problem.