Self-stigma and Quality of Life of Patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Abstract Introduction: Alcohol use disorder affects an individual’s social, personal, occupational and economical domains, causing stigma which in turn results in poor quality of life (QoL). Aim: Assessment of self-stigma and QoL, as well as the relationship between the QoL and socio-demographic and clinical variables among the patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome. Methods: Fifty-one patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the department of psychiatry based on the total enumeration sampling technique. The substance Abuse Self-stigma Scale and WHOQOL-BREF scale were used as tools for the study. Results: All the participants were male and married, with a mean age of 39.6 years. There was a negative correlation between the QoL and self-stigma ( r = −0.121). QoL was found to have statistical association with education, occupation and debts. Discussion: The study emphasises the impact of self-stigma on well-being. Addressing self-stigma and associated health issues could be crucial in enhancing the QoL for these individuals, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in this population.