Abstract

"Background: “Bhukki” (poppy husk) consumption amongst truck drivers and many professions is a common and often culturally sanctioned form of substance abuse noted in India. There was a sudden surge of these patients undergoing withdrawal of opium due to a police crackdown on illegal smuggling of opium.
Objectives: This study was a retrospective chart analysis to study the trend and socio-demographic profile in these patients.
Materials and Methods: Study involved analysis of all outpatient department papers of patients presenting with history of crude opium consumption attending the psychiatry outpatient clinic during the period from June 2014 to September 2014. For the purpose of analysis truck drivers and non truck drivers were analyzed separately.
Results: The total number of patients analyzed were 265 (264 males & 1 female). The age ranged from 19 to 85 years. About 44% were using only Bhukki, 25% Afeem and 30% both. 67% had no other comorbid substance use. There was statistically significant difference in mean age (p = 0.027) and education status (p = 0.001) amongst truck driver and non- truck driver groups.
Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need to look into the socio-cultural aspects of opium addiction in India.
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Key words: bhukki, afeem, truck drivers, cultural, opium, India.