Clinical Profile and Barriers to Treatment in Patients with Substance Use Disorder in Western Rajasthan

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a significant public health challenge in India, with regional variations in prevalence and treatment barriers. Western Rajasthan’s cultural and geographic proximity to opium-producing regions necessitates a focused understanding of SUD patterns. Objective: To examine sociodemographic and clinical profiles, psychiatric comorbidities, and treatment barriers among substance users attending a tertiary care hospital in western Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 150 consecutive SUD patients was conducted using the WHO Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), a clinical diagnostic interview based on DSM-5 criteria, and the Barriers to Treatment Inventory (BTI) to assess substance use, psychiatric comorbidities, and treatment barriers. Results: Participants were predominantly male (94%) with a mean age of 36.03 ± 10.07 years. Opioids were the most commonly used substances (53.33%), followed by alcohol (28.66%). Psychiatric comorbidities were seen in one-third (34%) of participants, with depression and anxiety being the most common. Major barriers to treatment included a lack of problem recognition (85.33%) and negative social support (78%). Correlations between barriers and sociodemographic factors were significant, particularly for gender, employment status, and substance type. Conclusions: This study reveals the relationship between sociodemographic factors, substance use patterns, and treatment barriers in western Rajasthan. It highlights the need for culturally tailored, integrated interventions to address SUD and psychiatric comorbidities while overcoming barriers such as stigma, problem denial, and negative social support to improve outcomes.