Characteristics of substance use disorders in compulsory and voluntary treatment practices

Purpose: The aim of the study is to compare and determine addiction tendencies in voluntary and probation (DS) applications in Adana province located in the Mediterranean regionof Türkiye. Materials and Methods: The study was planned as prospective and cross-sectional. 1007 people who applied to the alcohol and substance treatment center within a 1-month period and were examined by a mental health specialist and diagnosed with substance use disorder were included in the study. Results: 45% of those who applied to the treatment center were through probation. The sample taken is similar to the 2022 data of the Turkish Drug Addiction Monitoring Center in terms of age and gender. Opiates were the most frequently used substance in voluntary applications, and cannabis was the most frequently used substance in DS applications. 38.5% of the participants had a criminal prison history. Opiates were the substance that affected social, professional and family life the most, while cannabis was the least. Male gender, being single, no work history, living in cities, and having a family history of alcohol and substance use were risk factors that decreased the age of first substance use. Conclusion: Substance use disorder is an important problem affecting society in terms of many factors such as familial, social, occupational and judicial, and shows the importance of knowing the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of individuals in the implementation of protective measures.