Anxiety and Stress among Families of Individuals Undergoing Substance Use Rehabilitation in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic relapsing condition that has profound psychological, social, and economic consequences not only for affected individuals but also for their family members. Anxiety and stress among caregivers may adversely affect their mental health, caregiving capacity, and the rehabilitation outcomes of patients. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the levels of anxiety and stress among family members of individuals undergoing rehabilitation for substance use disorders in selected rehabilitation centers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 224 family members of individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders in selected rehabilitation centers in Dhaka. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured socio-demographic questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance was considered at p < .05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 32.24 ± 12.74 years, and 58.5% were female. The mean anxiety score was 16.50 ± 2.46, indicating a high level of anxiety, while the mean perceived stress score was 25.15 ± 5.27, indicating moderate stress. Overall, 84.4% of participants experienced severe anxiety, whereas 62.1% reported moderate stress and 36.2% reported high stress. Significant associations were observed between anxiety and relationship to the patient (p = .017), monthly family income (p = .005), duration of substance use (p = .003), rehabilitation history (p = .016), financial strain (p < .001), and perceived support (p = .004). Perceived stress demonstrated significant relationships with age (p = .003), marital status (p = .002), educational level (p = .046), occupation (p = .046), monthly family income (p = .005), duration of substance use (p = .047), and perceived support (p = .002). Conclusion: Family members of individuals undergoing rehabilitation for substance use disorders experience substantial anxiety and stress, indicating considerable psychological burden during the rehabilitation process. Financial hardship, prolonged addiction, repeated rehabilitation, and inadequate psychosocial support contribute significantly to caregiver distress.