Curiosity, coercion and coping: psychosocial drivers of youth drug use in Sri Lanka.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adolescent substance use is a growing public health concern in Sri Lanka, yet little is known about how youth are first exposed to and continue using illicit substances.

Methods

This qualitative study explored the initiation and continuation of substance use among adolescents aged 10-17 years with a history of drug abuse. 48 adolescents were interviewed at the Youth Drug Addiction Prevention, Treatment & Rehabilitation Centre in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, over a 1-year period. Data were collected through in-depth, semistructured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with manual coding.

Results

Five major themes were identified: (1) curiosity-driven and self-initiated use; (2) peer modelling and social apprenticeship; (3) coercion and manipul

SUBMITTER: Dayasiri K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12927371 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature