Clinical Correlates and Predictors of Self-Harm Among Men with Substance Use Disorders

Authors

  • Harshpreet Kour Junior Resident, Department Of Psychiatry, S.M.S Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Gunjan Solanki Professor, Unit Head and Head of Department, Department of Psychiatry, S.M.S Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Suman Junior Resident, Department Of Psychiatry, S.M.S Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Yogesh Satija Senior Professor, Department of Psychiatry, S.M.S Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a recognized risk factor for deliberate self-harm (DSH), yet limited research has examined its clinical and demographic predictors in Indian male populations. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the patterns and predictors of self-harm among men with SUD. Conducted at the Psychiatry Department of SMS Medical College, Jaipur, from October 2023 to September 2024, the study included 100 male outpatients aged 18-60 years, diagnosed with SUD as per DSM-5 criteria. Participants were evaluated using a semi-structured proforma, the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory (DSHI). The mean age of participants was 35.4 years. Nicotine (80%), opioids (68%), and alcohol (66%) were the most commonly used substances, with cannabis use reported by 51%. Poly-substance use was prevalent, and the most frequent combination involved alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis. DSH was reported in 31% of the sample. A statistically significant association was found between cannabis use and DSH (p = 0.003), suggesting cannabis as an independent predictor of self-harming behavior. The majority of participants were married, urban residents, and lived in joint families. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and integrated intervention strategies targeting high-risk individuals within addiction treatment services.

Keywords:

Substance use disorder, deliberate self-harm (DSH), Psychiatric Comorbidity, Poly-substance Use

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Published

2025-08-27
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Issue

Vol. 16 No. 9 (2025): Volume16,Issue9

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Articles