Abstract

Background: Youth populations are particularly vulnerable to drug use and are more heavily impacted by substance use disorders in many regions. Among college students, approximately 23% engage in substance use that meets the criteria for abuse and dependence. Influencing factors include peer pressure, the desire for
self-validation, and negative or neglectful family dynamics, all of which can push young individuals toward alcohol and drug misuse.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1st to June 1st 2024, all College students aged 18 to 30 enrolled in various educational universities living in Baghdad, Iraq. The study was conducted online using a convenience sampling technique to select college students. The association of categorical data was examined by using Chi-square.
Results: The study sample consists of 285 participants, they were nearly equal distribution of males and females, and an average age of 22.8 ± 2.8 years. Around 65.61% of the participants demonstrated a fair level of knowledge about addiction. Notably, more than half of both male and female participants identified crystal meth as the most addictive substance, while approximately 47% of the participants exhibited a positive attitude towards addiction.
Conclusion: there are gaps in awareness, particularly regarding the risks and consequences of addiction. Although many students identified peer pressure and curiosity as the main causes of addiction, the perception of addictive substances and their effects varied significantly between genders.