Mental health specialists have revealed that a significant proportion of patients attending psychiatric clinics in Nigeria are battling drug-related conditions, raising fresh concerns about the growing burden of substance abuse in the country.
According to The PUNCH, the experts said more than 75 per cent of individuals receiving psychiatric care present complications associated with the misuse of prescription drugs and illicit substances.
They warned that substance abuse not only worsens existing mental health conditions but also slows recovery and increases the likelihood of relapse.
Data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicates that about 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15 to 64 — approximately 14.3 million people — engage in drug use for non-medical purposes.
The report also highlights that one in five high-risk users injects drugs, with pharmaceutical opioids, cocaine, and heroin among the most commonly used substances.
Speaking on the trend, a consultant psychiatrist and Head of the Drug Abuse Unit at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Dr Sunday Amosu, said drug abuse is a major factor behind many psychiatric cases seen in hospitals.
“For now, over 75 per cent of patients we see have drug-related problems. Many of them develop psychosis, which is a severe mental illness where individuals lose touch with reality,” Amosu said.
He explained that most patients do not rely on a single substance but combine multiple drugs, worsening their mental health outcomes.
“The trend is that people rarely take just one substance. They mix different drugs, and this increases the risk of severe mental breakdown,” he added.
Amosu also pointed to the increasing use of synthetic drugs, particularly laboratory-produced cannabis, as a growing concern.
“We are now in an era of synthetic substances. These drugs are often mixed with other harmful components, and their use significantly raises the risk of psychiatric disorders,” he noted.
The psychiatrist further outlined symptoms commonly observed among affected patients, including hallucinations, delusions, and distorted thinking patterns.
“Some patients hear voices or see things others cannot see. Others develop false beliefs, such as claiming professional titles or powers they do not possess. These are clear signs of serious mental health disorders like schizophrenia,” he explained.
On the demographic spread, Amosu said drug abuse is more prevalent among young people and males, though cases among women are also rising and often underreported.
“While it is more common among men, a number of women are also involved. Among older individuals, substance use may shift towards alcohol, which is widely accepted socially,” he said.
Also speaking, a Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Dr Kehinde Oderinde, urged parents and guardians to be vigilant in identifying early signs of drug abuse.
“Behavioural changes are often the first indicators. Individuals may become withdrawn, secretive, or display sudden mood swings such as irritability, anxiety, or depression,” Oderinde said.
He added that physical symptoms could also signal substance abuse.
“Bloodshot eyes, changes in sleep patterns, weight fluctuations, and poor hygiene are common signs. In some cases, there may also be slurred speech or coordination problems,” he explained.
The experts emphasised that early detection and intervention are critical in addressing substance abuse and reducing its impact on mental health in Nigeria.
