Exploring the prevalence of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and major depressive disorders in men with concurrent substance use

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Assessing the co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders alongside substance use disorder is crucial for comprehensive treatment. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and major depressive disorders among men engaging in concurrent use of multiple substances. Methods This descriptive study involved selecting 220 patients aged between 18 and 60 years who were referred to Iran Psychiatric Hospital for treatment during 2022 and 2023. The study determined the prevalence of generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and major depressive disorders among the patients. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing T-tests and Chi-Square tests. Results The average age of the participants was 37.10 ± 9.62 years. Findings revealed that the most prevalent substance use disorders among patients were cannabis (19.1%), clonazepam (13.4%), methamphetamine (12.9%), and opium (12.2%) (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of major depression, generalized anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders among patients was estimated at 39.7% ± 6.5%, 32.6% ± 6.3%, and 33.9% ± 6.3%, respectively, with no significant difference in their occurrence (P = 0.402). Overall, the prevalence of mental disorders was found to be 74.6% ± 5.8%, with 46.9% of patients experiencing one mental disorder, 23.7% experiencing two, and 4% experiencing all three. Additionally, an inverse relationship between education level and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders was observed (P < 0.05). Conclusion Generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and major depressive disorders are highly prevalent among men engaging in concurrent use of multiple substances. This underscores the need for simultaneous intervention for both substance abuse and psychiatric disorders. Adopting the Iceberg metaphor encourages a deeper exploration, fostering optimism for more effective solutions in addressing these complex interrelated issues.