Injection of substances An average of 6 in 10 patients attending NGOs for treatment of substance dependence was using any illegal substance by means of injection, while the rest claimed otherwise. Poly-substance use 70% of substance users regularly used more than one substance type simultaneously. Among this particular group, around 30% reported combining 2 to 3 different classes of substances while 9% were collectively using 4 to 5 substances. Most common combinations of substances used simultaneously included, (1) opioids and cocaine; (2) cannabis, opioids, and sedatives/tranquilizers; (3) cannabis, opioids, and cocaine. Substance users’ health status Among the substance users, around 6% reported being infected with Hepatitis B or C, with 10% not knowledgeable of their status. Moreover, none of the substance users reported being HIV carriers, but 9% were not certain for their status. Among those being positively infected with any type of virus, 3 have sought treatment (2 for hepatitis C, 1 for hepatitis B), and 4 did not (2 for hepatitis C, 1 for hepatitis B, and 1 for hepatitis B and C).
6.3 Factors related to initiation, maintenance, and completion of treatment Demand for treatment Substance users seeking treatment were asked what type of treatment they were seeking. The various answers were divided into services and types of centers. Almost a quarter (N=18) desired individual psychotherapy, for mental health and/or addiction. 21 % expressed their need for any type of help to treat their substance addiction. 10 % felt that a combination of individual psychotherapy for mental health and/or addiction and medical treatment were most suited to their needs. Moreover, 8% wanted inpatient or 148