Emerging psychoactive drugs and the common life events among adolescents in a Nigerian rehabilitation centre

ABSTRACT

Adolescence is characterised by intense experimentation. This study examined the prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance use and common life events among adolescents abusing psychoactive substances in a Nigerian Hospital. The study employed cross-sectional descriptive method of 385 patients admitted for drug rehabilitation in the ABUAD Multisystem Hospital Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria. Smoking and eating Marijuana (47.6%), eating Datura stramonium leaf (32.2%) and drinking alcohol (11.4%) were psychoactive substances commonly used among the respondents. The predominant life events among respondents included: heavy load of study (34.3%), study pressure from family (26.5%), family member serious illness (23.5%), scolding by parents (21.1%), and tired of learning (20.8%). Datura stramonium leaf abuse is an emerging psychoactive substance among the respondents. Relevant stakeholders should be aware of the new trend in drug use among adolescents and coordinated effort should be made to stop the trend.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• psychoactive substance
• Datura stramonium
• emerging
• Nigeria

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

• SDG 3: Good health and well-being
• SDG 4: Quality education

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the participants, research assistants, and hospital authorities for the opportunity to carry out the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joshua Falade

Joshua Falade, MBBS, FMCPsych, PhD, is a Consultant Psychiatrist /Addiction Physician and Neuropharmacologist.

Akinwumi A. Akinnuoye

Akinwumi A. Akinnuoye, MBBS, FMCPsych is a Consultant Psychiatrist.

Sunday Sajo

Sunday Sajo, MBBS, FMCPsych is a Consultant Psychiatrist.

Akindele A. Ajayi

Akindele A. Ajayi, BBS, FWCP is a Consultant Family Physician.

Adeola O. Ajayi

Adeola O. Ajayi, MBBS, FMCPsych is a Consultant Psychiatrist.

Ayodej O. Ogungbemi

Ayodej O. Ogungbemi, MBBS, FWCP is a Consultant Family Physician.

Olakunle J. Onaolapo

Olakunle J. Onaolapo, MBBS, MSc, PhD is a Neuro/Behavioural Pharmacologist.

Adejoke Y. Onaolapo

Adejoke Y. Onaolapo, MBBS, MSc, PhD is a Neuro/Behavioural Anatomist.

Foluso O. Ojo

Foluso O. Ojo, B Tech, MSc is an Anatomist.