Author Login

Correspondence to Author: Delashik Dapap. 

Delashik Dapap, Behind polo field, Jos, Nigeria. Email: ddapap@gmail.com

DOI: 10.52338/jotr.2025.4687

Abstract:

The abuse of drugs and substance is a global phenomenon. So much efforts has been made in many parts of the world to reduce the menace, but it seems such efforts are not yielding much fruits; but rather on the increase with attendant physical and mental health consequences. Over the last decade, drug addiction patterns have evolved, influenced by a variety of factors, including the availability of new substances, socio-economic pressures, and changes in public health approaches to treatment. According to world health organization (WHO), Substance abuse is consistently or sporadic drug use is inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable medical practice.1 It is seen that drug abuse and drug dependence is showing an increasing trend which is an important health problem throughout the world including Nigeria. According to 2023 world drug report,2 1 in every 17 people aged 15–64 in the world had used a drug in the past 12 months. The estimated number of users grew from 240 million in 2011 to 296 million in 2021 (5.8 per cent of the global population aged 15–64). This is a 23 per cent increase, partly due to population growth. Cannabis continues to be the most used drug, with an estimated 219 million users (4.3 per cent of the global adult population) in 2021. Use of the drug is increasing and although globally cannabis users are mostly men (about 70 per cent), the gender divide is reducing in some sub regions; women account for 42 per cent of cannabis users in North America.2 Recent trends also indicate that the use of substances have dramatically increased worldwide, particularly in developing countries.3,4 The vulnerable groups like child labourers, street children, those with family history of substance use and those with emotional and behavioural problems are at particularly higher risk.5 Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis and opioids are most frequently use substance in Nigeria. According to UNODC 2018 drug report, the past year prevalence of any drug use in Nigeria was estimated at 14.4 per cent or 14.3 million people aged between 15 and 64 years.6 The extent of drug use in Nigeria was comparatively high when compared with the 2016 global annual prevalence of any drug use of 5.6 per cent among the adult population.6 Durowade et al in their study revealed that the prevalence of substance use was 71.9%, alcohol (32.0%) and over the counter drugs (29.9%) were the two most commonly used substance.7 Mehra et al showed the prevalence of Substance use among male population was 47%, and among all the other substance use, smokeless tobacco showed highest prevalence.8

Citation:

Dr.Delashik Dapap, A 10-Year Comparative Study Of Prevalence And Pattern Of Substance Abuse Among Patients In A Drug Treatment Center. Journal of Toxicological Research 2025.