Prevalence of Risk for Substance-Related and Behavioral Addictions Among University Students in Turkey

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of risk for substance-related and behavioral addictions among university students in Turkey. In total, 612 students were included in this study, and they completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the Drug Abuse Screening Test, the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, the Young’s Internet Addiction Test-Short Form, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, and the Burden of Behavioral Addiction Form. Results revealed that the rates of potential alcohol dependence, pathological internet use, and potential smartphone addiction were 2.0%, 11.4%, and 24.7%, respectively. Approximately 0.3% of students reported severe problems related to substance use. The rates of high risk of compulsive shopping, problematic social media use, food addiction, gaming addiction, and sex/pornography addiction were 2.0%, 3.6%, 3.4%, 4.9%, and 5.6%, respectively. The rates of potential alcohol dependence, pathological gambling, gaming addiction, and sex/pornography addiction were found to be higher in men. Mild nicotine addiction, problematic internet use and possible smartphone addiction, food addiction, and gaming addiction rates were higher in the age group of 18 to 24 years. In conclusion, screening for addiction risk among youth is important for effective prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.