Patterns of Substance Use in First Year and Final Year Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Aim: The aim of this article is to compare substance use and abuse in medical students of a tertiary care hospital involved in various undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programs. Materials and methods: Using a structured epidemiological survey questionnaire for psychoactive substance use based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV criteria, 50 medical students in the first year and 50 medical students in the final year were compared. Results: One-fourth of all students reported nonmedical substance use. The substances used were alcohol, tobacco smoking, caffeine, etc. Most frequent substance use was alcohol and tobacco smoking due to easy availability. Their use mostly began after entry into medical college. Also, it was for a longer duration in final year students. Conclusion: Substance use disorders among medical students should be taken more seriously because they may influence their professional behavior. A well-planned program should be designed and implemented to train the medical students helping them develop coping skills and educating them about social, legal, and ethical impacts of substance use.