Risk and protective factors for drug dependence in two Moroccan high-risk male populations

BACKGROUND: Substance use is linked to biological, environmental, and social factors. This study provides insights on protective and risk factors for drug dependence in two Moroccan, high-risk, male samples. METHODS: Data from the “Mental and Somatic Health without borders” (MeSHe) survey were utilized in the present study. The MeSHe survey assesses somatic and mental health parameters by self-report from prison inmates (n = 177) and outpatients from an addiction institution (n = 54). The “Drug dependence” and the “No drug dependence” groups were identified based on the Arabic version of the Drug Use Disorder Identification Test’s (DUDIT) validated cutoff for identifying individuals with drug dependence, specifically in Morocco. RESULTS: The majority of participants who had at least high school competence (67.6%), were living in a partnership (53.7%), were a parent (43.1%), and/or had a job (86.8%) belonged to the “No drug dependence” group, while the presence of mental health problems was typical among the “Drug dependence” group (47.4%). A multivariable regression model (χ(2) (df = 5, N = 156) = 63.90, p < 0.001) revealed that the presence of depression diagnosis remains a significant risk factor, while a higher level of education, having a child, and being employed are protective factors from drug dependence. DISCUSSION: Findings support the importance of increasing academic competence and treating depression as prevention from the persistence of drug addiction in male high-risk populations.