Drug use and addictions represent a global public health challenge. However, there is a significant gap in statistical data when it comes to the population with disabilities, a group often excluded from traditional surveys. We used data from the 2023 Clinical Database of Primary Care (BDCAP) to approach this issue. Overall, the study reveals that people with the disabilities analyzed present a higher prevalence of pathological use than the general population, with the sole exception of intellectual disability in aggregate terms. By type of disability we have:

• Social Disability (Inadequate social skills): This is the group with the highest risk in aggregate consumption. They stand out particularly in chronic alcohol abuse, where the risk is four times higher than that of the general population. Paradoxically, they have the lowest frequency in acute alcohol abuse, possibly due to the lack of social interaction associated with this type of consumption.

• Intellectual Disability: Presents a “statistical paradox.” Although their aggregate risk is lower (mainly due to lower tobacco consumption), they rank first in acute abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs. It is hypothesized that the high rates of drug abuse in this group could be linked to the prescription of psychotropic drugs that generate dependence.

• Hearing Disability (Deafness): Presents the second highest risk in aggregate consumption, standing out significantly in acute alcohol and tobacco abuse.

• Visual Disability (Blindness): Shows a slightly higher risk than the general population. Their profile of illicit drug use is similar to that of the rest of the population, which could be explained by the age distribution within this group.

The full paper has been published in the journal Psiara of the Official College of Psychology of Catalonia. Read article.