Problematic Internet Use and Related Factors in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder

Abstract

Objective: Problematic internet use constitutes a critical public health issue. People with problematic internet use have a significantly higher risk of abusing various substances. The aim of this study was to determine the level of problematic internet use in people diagnosed with opioid use disorder and to examine the relationship between opioid use disorder and problematic internet use in terms of individual and clinical variables. Method: Sociodemographic questionnaire and Young Internet Addiction Test (YIBT) were administered to patients with opioid use disorder. Patients who scored ≥50 points on the YIBT were considered to have problematic internet use. Results: The prevalence of problematic internet use was 24.4%, while the prevalence of internet addiction was 1.4%. Patients with problematic internet use had higher unemployment rates and lower monthly income levels than those without problematic internet use. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that problematic internet use may perpetuate or chronicize opioid use disorder. Adding preventive interventions and assessing opioid users for problematic internet use may contribute to the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Keywords

• Problematic Internet Use
• Opioid Use Disorder
• Internet Addiction

Opioid Kullanım Bozukluğu Tanılı Hastalarda Problemli İnternet Kullanımı ve İlişkili Faktörler

Öz

Amaç: Problemli internet kullanımı, önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Problemli internet kullanımı olan kişilerin çeşitli maddeleri kötüye kullanma riski önemli ölçüde daha yüksektir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, opioid kullanım bozukluğu tanısı olan kişilerde problemli internet kullanımı düzeyini belirlemek ve opioid kullanım bozukluğu ile problemli internet kullanımı arasındaki ilişkiyi bireysel ve klinik değişiklikler açısından incelemektir. Yöntem: Opioid kullanım bozukluğu hastaların sosyodemografik anket ve Young İnternet Bağımlılığı Testi (YİBT) uygulandı. YİBT'de ≥50 puan alan hastalar problemli internet kullanımı olarak kabul edildi. Bulgular: Problemli internet kullanımı sıklığı %24,4 olarak bulunurken, İnternet bağımlılığı sıklığı %1,4 olarak bulundu. Problemli internet kullanımı olan hastalarda problemli internet kullanımı olmayanlara göre daha yüksek işsizlik oranı ve daha düşük aylık gelir düzeyi tespit edildi. Sonuç: Çalışmanın sonuçları, problemli internet kullanımının opioid kullanım bozukluğu kalıcı hale getirebileceğini veya kronikleştirebileceğini göstermektedir. Önleyici müdahalelerin eklenmesi ve opioid kullanıcılarının problemli internet kullanımı açısından değerlendirilmesi, opioid kullanım bozukluğu tedavisine katkıda bulunabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Problemli İnternet Kullanımı
• Opioid Kullanım Bozukluğu
• İnternet Bağımlılığı

Kaynakça

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