Patterns and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Substance Abuse Among the Adult Population in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Substance abuse is a term that refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members. Objective: This study recorded the pattern of substance abuse and the sociodemographic characteristics of adult substance abusers in Makkah City. Methods: An online self-administered survey was provided to the general population through social media platforms between March 2023 and August 2023. Males and females living in Makkah over the age of 18 were included in it. The participants who refused to take part or those who were younger than 18 were not included in the study. Results: The number of participants in this study was 720; 73.5% were under the age of 30 and 424 were females (58.9%). The significant variables between substance abuse and sociodemographic data were gender (P=0.001), depression (P≤0.000), anxiety (P≤0.000), stress (P=0.025), and bad/shocking experience during childhood (P=0.004). Conclusion: Substance abuse positively correlates with sociodemographic data, with males having a higher risk, and psychiatric neurosis is associated with childhood trauma and anxiety.