• Showkat Ahmad Ganaie
• Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat,
• Amir Mohammad Wani

Drug abuse, a global burden of disease and disability, is responsible for ruining lives, tearing apart families, and destabilizing communities. Nevertheless, the majority of drug addicts are not treated. With the assistance of drug users and the community’s perspectives, the study aimed at exploring factors that influence recovery treatment. The study employed a qualitative approach in which a total of 40 participants, including 4 relatives and 6 community members, participated in in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed thematically. Results exhibited that individual factors, including physical and psychological dependence, lack of willpower, and a fear of quitting due to withdrawal symptoms, were identified as barriers to seeking treatment. Additionally, social factors in the form of lack of family support, lack of attendant, stigma, drug user’s subculture, group membership, role models, and social rejection have also been identified to be barriers. The reasons for not seeking treatment for cannabis use were unawareness about the treatment process and treatment facilities. The common economic factors responsible for not seeking treatment were poverty, lack of income, treatment and travel costs. The findings revealed that a comprehensive approach is required to address the various barriers to seeking and receiving treatment, assisting drug addicts in breaking free from drug enslavement and achieving recovery.

Treatment-seeking: behavior, drug addiction, stigma, social support, unawareness, peer group.

"Between Dependence and Stigma: Factors Shaping Treatment-Seeking among Drug Users", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no.a595-a603, January-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601070.pdf

"Between Dependence and Stigma: Factors Shaping Treatment-Seeking among Drug Users", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no. ppa595-a603, January-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601070.pdf