Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Open Access

Abstract

Pattern of Substance use and Psychiatric Co Morbidity among Substance users Attending A Mental Health Facility in Damaturu, North East Nigeria: Outcome of A Two Year Retrospective Review

Aina IO, Obadeji A, Dada MU and Ezra-Oderinde WE

Background: The use of psychoactive substances is a major global public health problem and is associated with psychosocial, economic and mental health consequences. The occurrence of co-morbidity with substance use disorders has been shown to make diagnosis of either condition problematic, worsen prognosis, linked with poorer compliance to treatment and associated with an overall increase in morbidity and mortality. Not much is known about the pattern of substance use and accompanying co morbidity in this geopolitical zone of the country, hence this study.

Aims and objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the co morbidity and associated clinico-demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with substance use disorder (dependence syndrome) in a tertiary health institution in Damaturu, North East Nigeria.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review between May 2017 and April 2019 of case notes of patients and extracted socio demographic, clinical and drug related data from their clinical records. The study participants consisted of eighty eight (88) patients and the participants included in the study met ICD-10 diagnostic criteria of dependence syndrome. Data analyses were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.

Results: Majority of the respondents were male 85/88 (96.6%), adolescents and young adults 65/88 (73.9%), had friends using substances 82/88 (93.2%), were daily multiple times user 61/88 (69.3%) and had previous history of substance use 74/88 (84.1). Indian hemp is the most widely used substance among the participants and almost half of the participants 36/88 (40.9%) reported “feeling high” as the reason for substance use. Depression was the commonest psychiatric co morbidity among the substance users 43/88 (48.9%), followed by bipolar disorders 14/88 (15.9%) and schizophrenia 11/88 (12.5%). Peer pressure influence, co morbidity and reason for substance use were significantly associated with substance use.

Conclusion: The findings in this study suggest the need for psycho educational programmes that will target young adults and adolescents who have increased propensity to use substances. Continuous research in substance use disorders will also help in monitoring trends and formulating adequate strategies for control of substance use.

Published Date: 2020-04-19; Received Date: 2020-03-24