Consumption of psychoactive substances in Homeless Persons in San Jose Costa Rica

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the patterns of drug consumption and the reasons that led to consumption by the homeless persons in San Jose, Costa Rica. Material and methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional research that studied a sample of 100 homeless, legal age, in downtown San José. A logistic regression model (LRM) was executed where the response variable consisted of the use of a specific drug. The variables incorporated into the model were the most important reasons that the homeless suffered for the consumption of the drug. Odd-ratios and significance level were calculated. Results: Love problems are the main reasons that explain the use of certain drugs (alcohol OR=6.19, cocaine OR=2.23, marijuana OR=1.13), family pressure (alcohol OR=5.05, cocaine OR=5.04, tobacco OR=3.15, marijuana OR=2.13) and the loss of a loved one (cocaine OR=8.05, tobacco OR=5.23, alcohol OR=4.20). Conclusions: Affective problems, family dysfunction, poverty, curiosity, rebellion, low self-esteem and poor mourning processes are the main reasons that lead homeless persons to consume certain drugs. The relationship between motives and drugs is established, resulting that homeless with love problems tend to consume alcohol, inhalants and cocaine. Poorly mourning processes are associated with the consumption of cocaine and tobacco. Family dysfunction influences more on alcohol and cocaine consumption.