Research Information System
Journal of Substance Use, vol.29, no.6, pp.1145-1150, 2024 (SSCI)
Objective: To investigate the level of knowledge, and attitude of society toward substance use disorder (SUD). Method: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire form created by the researchers was completed by individuals over the age of 18 between June and July 2022. A total of 1365 individuals (684 women, 681 men) participated in the study. Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.22 ± 10.47 years (min:18, max:75). A total of 19.2% did not consider addiction a medical disease, 37.4% thought that addiction was a moral failing, and 37.4% believed that addiction was a voluntary decision. 28.3% thought that only people with weak willpower will become addicted, 42.1% thought that trying substances would not lead to addiction, and 38.4% thought that substances can be quit without medical treatment. A total of 52.7% reported that they were afraid of people with addictions, 22.9% stated that they would not employ SUD patients in their workplace even if they had been treated. Only 36.8% of the participants had received any addiction-related training in their lifetime. Conclusion: Our findings display that the level of knowledge about addiction in society in Turkey is low, and there is substantial stigmatization and negative views on people with addictions.