Ethnographic Study of Cultural Contexts (Norms and Folk Beliefs) of Substance Use in Khuzestan Province

The aim of the present study was to investigate ethnic subcultures (Arab and Bakhtiari) and the norms and popular beliefs that facilitate drug use in Khuzestan province.

The present research employed ethnography as the research method. The research statistical population consisted of experts and Bakhtiari and Arab families residing in the province. Thirty individuals from Bakhtiari and Arab families living in the province, along with ten experts, were selected using snowball sampling and the data saturation technique for the study. Data collection was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews, and data analysis was performed using thematic analysis method.

In this study, the driving forces behind substance use (local customs and traditions) and the enabling factors that support substance use (the normalization of substance use) were identified.

Family and school contexts significantly contribute to the onset and persistence of high-risk substance use behavior. It seems that therapists, researchers, and counselors can use the findings of the current research to reduce and prevent high-risk substance use behaviors.