Understanding Attitudes of Young Adult towards Substance Use

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to understand the attitudes of young adults towards substance use using semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of eight young men and women (18- 24 years) who were identified through purposive sampling. They were recruited for the study after meeting the inclusion criteria of never having tried a substance. Thematic analysis was done to analyze the data from the interviews. The paper seeked to understand the attitude on various domains such as, the experiences of individuals, the situations they dealt with, role of different agencies that contributed in their staying away from substances and their general awareness and outlook towards substance use. The analysis of data elicited four global themes in the participants who have never used a substance. They were awareness, attitude, resisting factors, and peer pressure. Factors such as awareness of consequences of drug use, rules and regulations of family, the cultural origins as well as factors related to self, such as self-sufficiency and self- regulation contributed to participants attitude towards substance use. This data can be used in formulating more specific and efficient treatment modules, for individuals who abuse substances.