Socio-Demographic Profile of Substance Users Seeking Treatment

Abstract

This study was conducted to obtain a personality profile and a descriptive analysis of a typical substance user who is presently enrolled in a treatment center and is receiving professional help for his or her substance use at one of four participating treatment centers in a southwestern city in the United States. According to the findings, a typical substance abuser is a thirty-one year old male who is third born and has parents who are more frequently non-professional. Most respondents became involved with substance use because of peer influence and reported feeling bored/unhappy. First substance use experiences were more frequently with marijuana, although at the time of enrollment at the treatment center, alcohol, cocaine/crack, heroine, marijuana, and a combination of substances were typically used. When ranking the major problems they perceive having in their lives, respondents reported most frequently, substance use and being bored/unhappy in life. When assessing respondent's family type, a difference was found between the balanced and midrange families when considering their plans on having children. Of the substance using respondents, most were planning children in their lives and of this group, many were from extreme (low functioning) families.