Mental Health Among Women Who Consume Substance: Implications for Substance Use Prevention

A study by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2008) conducted in India revealed that 51% of 1865 women drug users in the country had major substance use disorder and 87% were major alcohol users. Considering the bare minimum research done on women specifically with regards to substance use, the objectives of this study were to measure the relationship between anxiety, depression and stress among women who consume substance and to assess the relationship between anxiety, depression and stress with different types of substance. Correlational research design was used and data was collected from 200 women residing in Mumbai falling in the age group of 23 to 65 years. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to capture the socio-demographic data of the participants. The DASS-42 was administered on the participants to measure the depression, anxiety and stress levels. The results showed that there were significant differences in anxiety, depression and stress levels among women who did and did not consume substance. There was a significant negative correlation seen between drugs and anxiety, depression and stress levels; smoking and anxiety and stress levels. However, no correlation was seen between alcohol and anxiety, stress and depression levels; smoking and depression levels. The results of the linear regression revealed that consumption of drugs help predict depression, anxiety and stress levels. The present study can help to understand the mental health of women from Mumbai and those who consume substance. This can be further employed to develop effective government policies for substance use and help to prevent addiction.