A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON BENZODIAZIPINE (BZD) ABUSERS OF DHAKA CITY: A SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION OF BANGLADESH

Benzodiazepines (BZD) are highly potential drug for abuse among the most frequently prescribed medicine. Different studies say that young-adults are the vulnerable population of BZD misuse in Bangladesh. The aim of the study was designed to evaluate the BZD drug abuser with relation to its impact on socio-psychological condition of Dhaka city. A cross sectional study consisted of 468 current BZD users. The participants were chosen randomly. Structured questionnaires included participant’s personal information; drug use characteristics; physiological and psychological effects of drugs. Verbal consent was taken from each respondent. In this study, 96.15% were male where 40.39 % of respondents were from the age group 23-27 years.  57.70 % participants were single. Here, 34.62 % were student, 40.38 % had monthly family income above 50,000 BDT. BZD was used to relive from stress/pressure by 23.07%, from insomnia by 13.46% of respondents. The drug of choice was diazepam for 44.24% respondents. Most of the users (44.23%) were influenced by friends. 32.69% participant concomitantly used BZD with YABA. The common problem was amnesia, confusion and difficulty in cognition. The withdrawal effects were rebound insomnia, anxiety, headache; restlessness and so on. Drug abuse is a serious public health problem worldwide. Therefore, these findings may help Government or policymakers to take initiative for drug addict. Moreover, there is need of further research on these topics in different area of Bangladesh to get the complete scenario of drug abuse, especially BZD abuse.