Drug Use-related Problems Are Associated with Poorer Health-related Quality of Life: A Community Study of Korean Adults
- Author:
Sang-Chan JEON
1
;
Young-Eun JUNG
;
Seohyeon PARK
;
Moon-Doo KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Brief Report
- From:Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2026;24(1):177-183
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study aimed to assess the prevalence of drug use-related problems in a Korean community sample and to examine the association between drug use-related problems and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Methods:Data were collected from 500 community-dwelling adults residing in Jeju, Korea. Drug use-related problems were assessed using the Drug Abuse Screening Test–10, and HRQOL was measured using the 26-item abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument.
Results:A total of 25 participants (5.0%) reported experiencing drug use–related problems in the previous 12 months.Multivariate analysis revealed that drug use-related problems were significantly associated with lower scores in all HRQOL domains, i.e., physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment, even after adjusting for relevant covariates.
Conclusion:Drug use-related problems were strongly associated with poorer HRQOL. These findings imply that clinicians should pay close attention to HRQOL when evaluating and treating individuals with illicit drug use.
