Pathways to care among patients with alcohol use disorders: A comparative study among patients attending a tertiary care psychiatry hospital and a hospital-based deaddiction camp

Objective To compare the pathways to care of patients attending a tertiary care psychiatry hospital with those attending a hospital-based deaddiction camp.

Methods Pathways to care were compared among 155 patients with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) across two settings: a tertiary care hospital (n = 110) and a hospital-based deaddiction camp (n = 45). Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the modified Kuppuswamy socioeconomic status scale, the WHO Encounter Form, and the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT).

Results Sixty-nine percent of patients attending the hospital-based deaddiction camp first consulted a psychiatrist, compared with only 9% of patients attending the tertiary care hospital. Consultation with religious or other indigenous service providers was low in both groups. A significant difference was observed in the decision-makers at each point of service between the two groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion Patients with AUDs attending the tertiary care hospital and the deaddiction camp followed distinct pathways to care and demonstrated different treatment needs.