Perceived reasons for amphetamines use by male schizophrenia patients: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background: Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness commonly comorbid with amphetamine use, leading to exacerbated symptoms and increased healthcare burdens. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the perceived reasons for amphetamine use among male schizophrenic patients. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Erada and Mental Health Complex in Taif, the largest specialized mental health hospital in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from male patients with schizophrenia and comorbid amphetamine use over 1 year. A structured questionnaire was administered to assess socio-demographic factors and reasons for amphetamine use. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Associations between variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test, with a significance level set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 96 male patients participated in the study. Of them, 44 (45.8%) were ≤34 years of age, 58 (60.4%) were single, only 17 (17.7%) were married, and most of them were jobless (87.5%, n = 84). The most commonly reported reason for amphetamine use was boredom (39.6%, n = 38), followed by peer pressure (26%, n = 25), self-medication for illness symptoms (25%, n = 24), and depression (24%, n = 23). Boredom was cited as a main reason for amphetamine use by 29 (50.0%) of single patients, 5 (29.4%) of married patients, and 4 (19.0%) of divorced patients ( P = 0.029). Conclusions: The findings highlight boredom, peer pressure, and self-medication as key reasons for amphetamine use in schizophrenic patients. It is recommended to address these factors within psychiatric care to improve treatment outcomes.