Substance Abuse and Substance Use Disorders. ebook

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AMONG TEENAGERS AND YOUTHS:

IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELLING.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.

Copyright © IBRAHIM N.A

First Published, 2022

Noogul Digital Publishing

Foreword

The publication of this book entitled “Substance Abuse and Substance Use Disorders. A Global Pandemic among Teenagers and Youths: Implications for Counseling”, is a most welcome development. Misuse of both legal and illegal substances is a serious national issue that calls for a coordinated effort at all levels of society.

The book is an invaluable item of treasure for the healthcare givers, Counselors, students and the public. The aim of this book is to facilitate an excellent quality healthcare delivery to the patients through effective counselling techniques and therapies.

This book is divided into four sections, in which the First Section discussed on the Epidemiology of Substance Abuse and Substance Use Disorder,

The author wrote this book concisely and in simple language for easy reading and comprehension. Therefore it is recommended not only for healthcare givers and counselors but for students and the general public will.

Prof. Zakari Ladan.

Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry,

Kaduna State University, Kaduna.

Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

Preface

Substance Abuse and Substance Use Disorders: A Global Pandemic Among Teenagers and youths: Implications for Counselling is a book revealed, to meet contemporary substance-related challenges. Substance/drug abuse with its associated physical, social and mental pathologies has become a global challenge. ‘Innovative Substances’ exposed in this book have added new dimensions to the problems of substances, especially socio-demographic boundaries.

This author has, in this book, creatively classified the substances in the most understandable typology for ease of reading and comprehension by his diverse target audience. The book dedicates each chapter to a class presenting their brief origins, forms, types, pathogenetic sequences, recognition of symptoms, and management of the abuse/addictions as well as their related disorders.

Exciting classes of substances such as Dissociatives and empathogens (aka entactogens) are new additions to the whole discussion of substances in modern day society.

The book focuses on and distils to the role of the counselor and counseling in managing substances in our fast moving society. The easy-to-read format of the book should make it appealing to readers. Professionals in the Social Sciences, Education, Health, and other Helping Professions will find the book highly valuable.

Every family also needs to read and keep a copy.

Emmanuel Ejembi Anyebe PhD, JP.

Associate Professor,

Mental Health Unit, Department of Nursing Sciences,

Faculty of Clinical Sciences,

College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin

Ilorin 240001,Nigeria.

Mobile: +2348036422771

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AMONG TEENAGERS AND YOUTHS:

IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELLING.

Edited by:

Prof. Zakari Ladan

Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry,

Kaduna State University, Kaduna.

Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

Emmanuel Ejembi Anyebe PhD, JP.

Fellow, West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives (FWAPCNM)

Fellow, African Institute of Public Health (FAIPH),

Registered Mental Health Psychiatric Nurse (RMHPN)

Associate Professor,

Mental Health Unit, Department of Nursing Sciences,

Faculty of Clinical Sciences,

College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin

Ilorin 240001,Nigeria.

Mobile: +2348036422771

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Ishaku Usman Gadzama PhD

Senior Lecturer,

Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences,

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State

Nigeria

Email: [email protected]

Salamatu Hassan Idris FWACN

Fellow, West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives (FWAPCNM)

Deputy Director Nursing Education (Paediatrics),

Head, School of Post Basic Nursing Programmes,

Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Joshua Jataunamo Oscar

Fellow, West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives (FWAPCNM)

Asst. Director Nursing Education (Anaesthesia)

Department of Nurse Anaesthesia

Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Email: [email protected]

Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Okeme

Asst. Director Nursing Education (Anaesthesia),

Department of Nurse Anaesthesia

Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Kaduna State, Nigeria

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Okoosi Sunday Adegoke

Human Physiologist

Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Kaduna State, Nigeria

Email: [email protected]

Aisha Mustapha Goni

Senior Education Officer

(Msc. Criminology, MILR, PGDE, B.Sc Sociology, PhD. In View)

School of Post Basic Nursing Programmes,

Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Kaduna State, Nigeria

Email: [email protected]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Forward ------- ii

Preface -------iii

Editors -------iv

SECTION 1: EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

1.0 The Concept Epidemiology ----8

1.2 Drug Misuse, Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction-11

Summary ------14

SECTION 2: NATURAL HISTORY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

2.0 Overview -------17

2.1 Progression in Drug Use ----17

2.2 Patterns of Natural History of Substance Abuse -24

Gender Differences to Substance Abuse --25

Sex and Gender Differences in Substance Use -25

Sex and Gender Differrences in Substance Use

Treatment ------27

Racial/Ethnic Differences ---28

Summary -----29

SECTION 3: SUBSTANCE/DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED EFFECTS

3.0 Drug Classification-----32

Poly Drug Use-----32

Types of Poly Substance Use ---32

3.1 STIMULANTS-----33

How are they put to use ----33

Effects of Stimulants ----33

Using Stimulants with other drugs --34

Health and Safety ----35

Dependence and tolerance ---35

3.1.0 Types Of Stimulants -----37

3.1.1 Amphetamines ------38

Chemical Structure ----38

What do they look like ----38

Slang Names -----38

How are Amphetamines Used?---38

Effects of Amphetamines ---39

Overdose -----40

Descending Symptoms of Amphetamines-40

Amphetamines used with other medications (Drugs)41

Long-Term Consequencies ---41

Mental Health and Amphetamine Usage--42

Withdrawal -----42

Treatment Alternatives ----42

3.1.2 Betel Nut ------44

Chemical Structure ----44

Cultural Practice----44

How is it used?-----45

Betel Quids-----45

Effects of Betel Nut ----45

Long-Term Effects ----46

Using Betel Nut with Other Drugs --47

3.1.3 Caffeine ------48

Chemical Structure ----48

How is caffeine used? ----48

Effects of caffeine ----49

Overdose -----50

Long-Term Effects ----51

Using Caffeine with other Drugs --51

Withdrawal -----52

3.1.4 Cocaine ------53

Chemical Structure ----54

Other Names -----54

How is cocaine used?----54

Effects of Cocaine ----54

Overdose -----55

Coming Down Effect----56

Long-Term Consequences ---56

Withdrawal -----57

3.1.5 Ice (Crystal Methamphetamine)---58

Chemical Structure ----56

Other Names -----56

How is it used?-----58

Effects of Ice -----59

Overdose-----60

Coming Down -----61

Long Term Effects of Ice ---61

Ice Psychosis -----62

In healthy people? ----63

Dependence -----64

Mental Health Problems ---65

Mixing ice with other drugs ---65

Withdrawal -----65

Treatment for Ice Misuse ---65

3.1.6 Khat ------67

Chemical Structure ----67

Other Names-----67

What does it look like? ----67

Effects of Khat -----67

Mental Health Risks ----68

Withdrawal -----68

3.1.7 Nicotine ------70

Chemical Structure ----70

Street Names for Cigarettes ---70

How is Nicotine Used? ----70

Effects of Nicotine ----71

Risk Factors -----73

Long-term Effects ----73

Passive Smoking ----74

Using Nicotine with other Drugs --76

Withdrawal -----77

3.1.8 Synthetic Cathinones ----78

Chemical Structure ----78

Types of Cathinones commonly used --78

How are they used? ----79

Effects of Synthetic Cathinones ---79

Using Synthetic Cathinones with other Drugs -81

Health and Safety ----81

Dependence and Tolerance ---82

Coming Down Effect ----82

Summary-----83

3.2 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS -86

How are they used? ----86

Effects of Depressants ----87

Using Depressants with other drugs --88

Health and safety ----88

Dependence and Tolerance ---89

3.2.0 Types of Central Nervous System Depressants --90

3.2.1 Alcohol ------91

Chemical Structure ----92

Patterns of Alcohol Drinking ---92

Other Names -----93

Effects of Alcohol ----93

Overdose -----94

Coming Down -----95

Long-Term Effects ----95

The Pathophysiology of Alcohol Consummation -96

Alcohol and Mental Health ---97

Alcohol Intoxification ----98

Alcohol Use Disorder ----98

Tolerance and Dependence ---99

Mixing Alcohol with other Drugs --99

Withdrawal -----99

3.2.2 Benzodiazepines -----101

Chemical Structure ----101

Slang Names -----101

Types of Benzodiazepines ---101

Effects of Benzodiazepines ---102

Overdose -----103

Long Term Effects----104

Using Benzodiazepines with other Drugs -104

Withdrawal -----105

3.2.3 GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate) --106

Chemical Structure ----106

Other Names -----106

How is it used?-----106

Effects of GHB -----107

Overdose -----107

Long-Term Effects ----108

Using GHB with other drugs ---108

Withdrawal -----108

3.2.4 KAVA------110

Chemical Structure ----110

Other Names -----110

How is it used? -----111

Effects of Kava -----111

Long-Term Effects ----112

Impact of Mood and Environment --113

Using Kava with other Drugs ---114

Withdrawal -----115

Summary -----116

3.3 HALLUCINOGENS ----119

How are they used ----121

Effects of Psychedelics ----121

Bad Trips -----122

Flashbacks -----123

Using Psychedelics with other drugs --123

Health and Safety ----124

Dependence and Tolerance ---124

3.3.0 Types of Hallucinogens ----126

3.3.1 LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) --127

Chemical Structure ----127

What it looks like ----127

Other Names -----127

How is LSD used? ----128

Effects of LSD -----128

Overdose -----128

Bad Trips -----129

Coming Down -----129

Long-Term Effects ----129

LSD and Mental Health ---130

Tolerance -----130

Mixing LSD with other Drugs ---130

Withdrawal -----131

3.3.2 Ayahuasca -----132

Chemical Structure ----133

What does it look like? ----133

Other Names -----133

Effects of Ayahuasca ----133

Set and Setting -----134

Bad Trips -----134

Long-Term Effects ----135

Tolerance and Dependence ---135

Mixing Ayahuasca with Other Drugs --135

Health and Safety ----135

3.3.3 DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) ---137

Chemical Structure ----137

What Does DMT Look Like---137

Other Names -----137

How is DMT used? ----138

Effects of DMT ----138

DMT and Mental Health ---140

Bad Trips -----140

Flashbacks -----140

Tolerance and Dependence ---141

3.3.4 NBOMes (N-methoxybenzyl) ---142

Chemical Structure ----142

Other Names for NBOMes---142

What do they look like? ---142

Effects of NBOMes ----142

Overdose -----143

Long-Term Effects ----144

Taking NBOMes with other Drugs --144

3.3.5 Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) ---145

Chemical Structure ----145

What do they look like?----145

How are they used? ----145

Other Names -----145

Effects of Magic Mushrooms ---145

Mushroom Poisoning ----146

Effects of Poisonous Mushrooms --146

Agaricus Xanthodermus (Yellow-Coloured Mushroom) 147

Death Cap (Amanita Phalloides)---148

Overdose -----149

Bad Trips -----149

Coming Down-----150

Long-Term Effects ----150

Using Mushrooms with other drugs --150

Tolerance and Dependence ---151

Health and safety ----151

Withdrawal -----151

Summary-----152

3.4 CANNABINOIDS -----155

Classes of cannabinoids ---156

The Endocannabinoid System ---157

What do cannabinoids do?---157

How are they used?----157

Effects of cannabinoids ----157

Cannabinoids and other drugs ---158

Health and Safety ----159

Dependence and Tolerance --- 159

3.4.0 Types of Cannabinoids ----160

3.4.1 Butane Hash Oil (BHO)----161

Chemical Structure ----161

Other Names -----161

How is it used -----161

Effects of BHO-----162

Long-Term effects ----163

Withdrawal -----163

3.4.2 Cannabidol (CBD)----164

Chemical Structure ----164

What does it look like? ----164

Other Names -----165

How is it used-----165

Effects of CBD -----165

Long-Term Effects----166

Mixing CBD with other Drugs ---167

3.4.2 Cannabis -----168

Chemical Structure ----168

Other Names -----168

Historical Antecedents of Canabis --168

How is it used?-----170

Effects of Cannabis----170

Long-Term Effects ----171

Using cannabis with other drugs --172

Withdrawal -----172

3.4.4 Medicinal Cannabis ----173

Chemical Structure ----173

The Endocanabinoid System ---173

Types and forms of Medicinal cannabis--174

Not recommended ---174

The side effects of Medicinal Cannabis Treatment176

General Cautions ----177

3.4.5 Synthetic Cannabinoids----179

Chemical Structure ----179

What do Synthetic Cannabinoids Look like?-179

Other Names -----180

How are Synthetic Cannabinoids used?--180

Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids --180

Set and Setting -----181

Overdose -----181

Long-Term Effects----182

Tolerance and Dependence ---182

Mixing Synthetic cannabinoids with other drugs -182

Health and Safety ----183

Summary -----185

3.5 OPIOIDS ------187

The opioids receptor system---188

How are they used?----189

Opioid-Based Medications---189

Effect of Opioids ----190

Long-Term Effects Include---191

Using opioids with other Drugs ---191

Health and Safety ----191

Pain Management Strategies ---192

Tolerance and Dependence ---192

3.5.0 Types of Opioids-----193

3.5.1 Buprenorphine -----194

Chemical Structure ----194

Other Names -----194

How is it used?-----195

How effective is it?----195

Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy--196

Therapy Component ----196

Advantages of Buprenorphine Maintenance over

Heroin Use -----197

Effect of Buprenorphine ---198

Side Effects -----198

Withdrawal -----198

3.5.2 Codeine------200

Chemical Structure ----200

Why is this Medication Prescribed?--200

Mode of Administration of Codeine--201

Other Names -----201

Effects of Codeine ----201

Overdose -----202

Long-Term Effects of Codeine---204

Withdrawal -----204

3.5.3 Buprenorphine – Long Acting Injectable -206

Chemical Structure ----206

What is depot Buprenorphine? ---206

Other Names -----207

How is it used?-----207

Effects of Buprenorphine---209

3.5.4 Fentanyl ------212

Chemical Structure ----212

Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl ---212

Street Names -----213

What it looks like ----213

Medicinal Use -----213

Illicit Use -----213

Effects of Fentanyl ----214

Fentanyl Overdose ----215

Long-Term Effects ----216

Using Fentanyl with other drugs --216

Withdrawal -----217

3.5.5 Heroin ------218

Chemical Structure ----218

Other Names -----218

How is it used? -----219

Effects of Heroin?----219

Heroin Overdose ----220

Coming Down-----220

Long-Term Effects----221

Using Heroin with Other Drugs ---221

Withdrawal-----221

3.5.6 Methadone -----223

Chemical Structure ----224

Other Names -----224

How is it used?-----224

How effective is it?----225

Advantages of Methadone Maintenance over Heroin

Use------225

Effects of Methadone ----225

Overdose -----227

Long-Term effects ----227

Withdrawal -----227

3.5.7 Naloxone ------228

Chemical Structure ----228

Counselling Intervention ---228

How is it used -----229

Effects of Naloxone ----229

Naloxone and Opioid Overdose ---230

3.5.8 Opium ------231

Chemical Structure ----231

History of Opium ----231

What does it look like? ----232

Slang Names-----232

How is opium used?----232

Effects of Opium ----232

Overdose -----233

Long-Term Effects ----234

Opium and Lead Poisoning ---234

Mixing Opium with other Drugs --234

Withdrawal -----235

3.5.9 Oxycodone -----236

Chemical Structure ----237

Types of Oxycodone ----237

How is Oxycodone used? ---237

Effects of Oxycodone ----237

Overdose -----238

Long-Term Effects ----239

Using Oxycodone with other Drugs --239

Withdrawal -----239

Summary -----241

3.6 DISSOCIATIVES -----244

How are they used? ----245

Effects of Dissociatives ----245

Long-Term Effects ----246

Health and Safety ----247

Dependence and Tolerance ---247

3.6.0 Types of Dissociatives ----249

3.6.1 Ketamine -----250

Chemical Structure ----251

Other Names -----251

How is it used?-----251

Effects of Ketamine ----251

Overdose -----252

Coming Down -----252

Long-Term Effect----252

Ketamine Bladder Syndrome ---253

Using Ketamine with Other Drugs --253

Withdrawal -----253

3.6.2 Methoxetamine -----254

Chemical Structure ----254

How is it used? ----254

Effects of Methoxetamine (MXE)--254

Using Methoxetamine with other Drugs -255

Health and Safety ----256

Dependence and Tolerance ---256

Urinary Tract Effects ----256

Coming Dowm/Withdrawal---257

3.6.3 Nitrous Oxide -----258

Chemical Structure ----258

How is it used?-----258

Other Names -----258

Effects of Nitrous Oxide ---258

Long-Term Effects ----259

Mixing with other drugs ---260

Health and Safety ----260

Withdrawal -----261

Summary -----262

3.7 EMPATHOGENS -----264

Empathogens and the Brain ---266

How are they used?----266

Street Names -----267

Effects of Empathogens ---267

Empathogens and Other Drugs ---268

Health and Safety ----268

Dependence and Tolererance ---268

3.7.0 Types of Empathogens ----269

3.7.1 Ethylone ------270

Chemical Structure ----270

Other Names -----270

How is ethylone used?----270

Effects of Ethylone ----270

Impact of Mood and Environment --271

Using Ethylone with other drugs --272

Health and Safety ----272

Dependence and Tolerance ---272

3.7.2 MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-273

Chemical Structure ----274

Other Names-----274

How is MDMA used?----274

Effects of MDMA ----274

MDMA, Dehydration and Overheating --275

Coming Down-----276

Long-Term Effects ----277

Mixing MDMA with other Drugs --277

Withdrawal -----277

3.7.3 Mephedrone -----279

Chemical Structure ----279

Other Names -----279

How is Mephedrone used? ---279

Effects of Mephedrone ----280

Overdose -----281

Coming Down -----281

Long-Term Consequences ---281

Using Mephedrone with other Drugs --281

Withdrawal -----282

3.7.4 PMA and PMMA ----283

Chemical Structure ----283

How are they Used? ----283

Slang Names -----283

Effects of PMA and PMMA ---283

Physical Health Risks----284

Overdose -----285

Long-Term Consequences ---285

Using PMA or PMMA with other Drugs -285

Addiction and Tolerance PMA or PMMA -285

Summary-----286

SECTION 4: COUNSELLING FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS .

4.0 Defining Counselling -----289

Substance Abuse and Substance Use Disorder Counselor290

Substance Abuse vs. Addiction ---291

4.1 Causes & Risk Factors for Addiction --292

4.2 Types & Levels of Rehab Treatment --293

Detoxification -----293

Inpatient/residential Rehabilitation--294

Outpatient rehab & Intensive Outpatient Programs-294

4.3 Drug Addiction Therapy Programs ---295

Addiction Treatment ----295

Behavioural Therapy ----296

Reprocessing (EMDR) ---301

Therapies ----304

Therapy ----306

Conclusion -----308

1.0 THE CONCEPT EPIDEMIOLOGY

The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns, and determinants of health and disease conditions in a given population is known as epidemiology. It is a cornerstone of public health, influencing policy and evidence-based practice by identifying disease risk factors and preventative healthcare priorities. Epidemiology is the discipline of medicine that studies all of the factors that influence whether or not diseases and disorders exist. Epidemiological study enables us to learn how many people are affected by a sickness or problem, if those numbers are changing, and how the disorder affects society and the economy (LastJM, 2012).

Many epidemiological studies try to figure out how the number of persons affected by a disease fluctuates over time. However, the definition of a condition changes over time, making calculations more challenging. Even scientists working in the same profession may disagree about the best technique to quantify or define a certain illness.

Epidemiological studies of substance use and substance use disorders (SUDs) have yielded a wealth of information on substance use patterns in globally representative populations (Degenhardt et al. 2008; Johnston et al. 2011; SAMHSA 2011). For decades, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and the Services Administration for Mental Health and Substance Abuse (SAHMSA) have spent significant resources tracking drug use, abuse, and effects.

Herbs, leaves, and plants have been used to heal and control disease since the dawn of time. If medications are delivered correctly, they do not pose any hazard. (Sambo, 2008). Teenagers are the most vulnerable to substance misuse because they experiment with drugs in various ways.

Substance use is frequent among adolescents, according to epidemiological research, and the age of first use is falling; meaning that adolescents now start using substances earlier than they used to. A considerable number of them thereafter develop a stereotypic pattern of use. It is generally recognized that some psychoactive substances have particularly negative impacts on mental health and cognitive functions, increasing the demand for mental health services for children and adolescents.

The findings of Nigeria's first large-scale, nationwide survey to investigate the extent and patterns of drug usage, are intended to provide the baseline information needed for the design and implementation of evidence-based and targeted prevention, treatment, and care programs to reduce drug demand and avoid morbidity and mortality associated with drug use.

The findings of this survey revealed a high degree of past-year use of psychoactive substances in Nigeria, particularly cannabis, non-medical use of prescription opioids (mostly tramadol, but also codeine or morphine) and cough syrups (containing codeine or dextromethorphan).

In Nigeria, the prevalence of any drug use in the previous year was estimated to be 14.4%, or 14.3 million people aged 15 to 64 years . When compared to the global yearly prevalence of any drug use among adults of 5.6 percent in 2016, Nigeria has a relatively high rate of drug usage.

Fig.1.0 UNODC, World Drug Report 2018: Drug Use in Nigeria 2018

In Nigeria, the prevalence of psychoactive substances other than alcohol was higher among men in the previous year, while the gender gap in non-medical use of prescription opioids, tranquilizers, and cough syrups was less pronounced. Those between the ages of 25 and 39 years were the most likely to take drugs in the previous year, while those under the age of 24 were the least likely. The most often used drug was cannabis, followed by opioids, primarily non-medical usage of prescription opioids and cough syrup. (UNODC, 2018 World Drug Report.)

Annual Prevalence of Drug Use By Gender in Nigeria 2017

Drug Type

Men

Women

National

Cannabis

9360000

1280000

10640000

Opioids

3010000

1606000

4610000

Heroin

71000

16000

87000

Pharmaceutical Opioids (Tramadol, Codeine, Morphine)

3008000

1600000

4608000

Cocaine

71000

21000

92000

Tranquilizers/Sedatives

270000

212000

481000

Amphetamines

161000

77000

238000

Pharmaceutical Amphetamine and Illicit Amphetamine

96400

58100

155000

Methamphetamine

69500

19000

89000

Ecstasy

211000

129000

340000

Hallucinogens

16500

10000

27000

Solvents/Inhalants

248000

51000

300000

Cough Syrups

1157000

1200000

2360000

** Aggregated categories were adjusted for the proportion of users known to be poly-drug users weighted by poly-drug use in each survey (nationally 75 per cent of users were poly-drug users). Gender-specific poly-drug user adjustments were also applied to drug use categories of opioids and amphetamines. As a result, numbers for each drug type will not sum to national totals. Due to rounding of the estimates (percentage or numbers) the estimates may not add up.

Source:UNODC, World Drug Report 2018: Drug Use in Nigeria 2018

Key Findings:

In Nigeria, one in every seven people aged 15 to 64years had taken a substance in the previous year (other than tobacco and alcohol). The prevalence of any drug use in the previous year is projected to be 14.4% (range 14.0-14.8%), equal to 14.3 million people aged 15 to 64 who used a psychoactive substance for non-medical purposes in the previous year.

In Nigeria, one out of every four drug users is a woman. In Nigeria, men (annual prevalence of 21.8 percent or 10.8 million men) reported using drugs in the previous year more than women (annual prevalence of 7.0 percent or 3.4 million women).

Those aged 25 to 39years had the highest levels of drug usage in the previous year.

Drug user problems affect one out of every five people who used drugs in the previous year.

The most widely used substance is cannabis. In the previous year, an estimated 10.8% of the population, or 10.6 million people, had used cannabis. In the general population, the average age of first cannabis use was 19 years.

Men were 7 times more likely than women to consume cannabis (18.8% vs. 2.6%), while the gender disparity in non-medical use of pharmaceutical opioids (such as tramadol) was less pronounced (6 per cent among men vs. 3.3 per cent among women).

In the previous year, an estimated 4.7 percent of the population, or 4.6 million people, used opioids (such as tramadol, codeine, or morphine) for non-medical reasons.

Cough syrups containing codeine and dextromethorphan are used non-medically by 2.4 percent of the adult population (nearly 2.4 million people). Cough syrup abuse is practically identical among males (2.3%) and women (2.5%).

Though not negligible, non-medical use of tranquilizers (0.5%), ecstasy (0.3%), inhalants (0.3%), amphetamines (0.2%), and cocaine (0.1%) are all lower than the drugs discussed above.2

1.2 DRUG MISUSE, DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION

Addiction, drug abuse, and misuse are all major public health issues. Many individuals frequently use these phrases interchangeably since they all relate to the use of illicit drugs as well as the improper use of legal substances (such as cigarettes, alcohol, and prescription medications). But each issue's interventions differ substantially from one another. The importance of accurately diagnosing a person's drug use is due to this. Medication on prescription has a lot of positive impacts. They can make us live longer, healthier lives when used properly under medical care. However, these same drugs have the capacity to have fatal results and serious adverse effects, particularly when overused or abused. Prescription drugs should only be taken by the individual for whom they are designed and exactly as directed due to this risk of damage.

Drug Misuse

Prescription medications are commonly related with drug misuse. Prescription medications are intended to be taken exactly as prescribed by doctors. This is because these medications might have negative side effects if the instructions are not followed.

Drug Misuse occurs when these drugs are used for purposes that are not in accordance with legal or medical norms.

The FDA (2019) defines prescription medication MISUSE as failing to follow medical directions, although the individual using the medicine is not intending to "get high." If a person is unable to fall asleep after taking a single sleeping tablet, they may take another pill an hour later, reasoning, "That will do the job." Alternatively, a person may offer his headache medicine to a buddy in agony. Those are examples of drug abuse because, according to the FDA, the individual is treating oneself but not in accordance with the recommendations of their health care professionals. Prescription medication abuse can include: taking the wrong dose; taking a dose at the wrong time; forgetting to take a dose; and discontinuing medicine too soon, according to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.

Drug Abuse