Substance use, depression and anxiety among mexican adults with chronic illnesses

Abstract

Chronic diseases are long-lasting  conditions with slow progression and high prevalence, often  leading to mental health issues  like depression and anxiety. While the connection between mental illness and substance use is well-known, its prevalence in those with emotional distress hasn’t been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to compare  depressive and anxious symptoms as well as the risk of psychoactive substance use in people with and without chronic diseases. An ex post facto study was conducted via an online survey of Mexican adults over 18, contacted through social networks. The sample  included 361 participants (73.1% women, 26.9% men), with 32.6% aged 21-30 years. Of these, 45.1% reported having a chronic disease: obesity or overweight (25.2%), hypertension (11.4%), diabetes (4.4%), and asthma (4.2%). Those with obesity or overweight experienced more moderate to severe depression and mild anxiety symptoms. Participants with chronic illnesses reported
lower substance use compared to those without such diagnoses.
This study highlights the need for intervention programs for people with chronic diseases to reduce the risk of developing substance use issues and affective disorders, aiming to improve their quality of life.