FACTORS LEADING TO RELAPSE IN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PATIENTS - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic relapsing condition with high recurrence rates influenced by multiple biopsychosocial factors. Objectives: To estimate relapse prevalence and identify associated factors among patients with SUD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Bengaluru over 18 months. Among 680 patients screened, 530 had relapse, and 100 participants were included for detailed assessment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square/Fishers exact test. Results: The prevalence of relapse was 77.9%. Most participants were middle-aged males, with alcohol being the predominant substance. Relapse commonly occurred within 3 months of abstinence. Significant factors associated with higher relapse included early age of onset, unemployment, lower education, marital and parental status, family history, peer pressure, stressful life events, poor treatment adherence, and exposure to triggers (p < 0.05).