TITLE:
Emerging and Conventional Psychoactive Substance Use and Its Association with Psychiatric Morbidity, Dependence Severity, and Sociodemographic Factors in Ondo State, Nigerian Drug Rehabilitation Settings
AUTHORS:
Joshua Falade, Moses Olumide Olajide, Abayomi Michael Oshatimi, Micheal Olumide Gbala, Ayodeji Majek Akande, Kazeem Olaide Adebayo, Olusegun Opeoluwa Shoyombo, Abayomi Olajide, Solape Oluwasuyi, Olayinka Adenike Remi-Ofakunrin, Oluwadare Ayobami Bada, Temitope Sherifat Audu, Benjamin Adekunle Eegunranti
KEYWORDS:
Emerging Psychoactive Substances (EPS), Conventional Psychoactive Substances, Psychiatric Morbidity, Dependence Severity, Drug Rehabilitation, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.15 No.5,
October
23,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Emerging Psychoactive Substances (EPS) in Nigeria pose a growing public health threat, driving earlier drug use, increased psychiatric disorders, and more severe dependence than conventional drugs. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the use of EPS and its association with psychiatric morbidity, dependence severity, and sociodemographic predictors among patients admitted for drug rehabilitation. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 440 patients in two Nigerian rehabilitation centers (Jan–June 2025) used questionnaires, the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) to assess sociodemographics, drug use, psychiatric morbidity, and dependence. Systematic random sampling was applied, and associations were tested using Chi-square and independent t-tests, while logistic regression identified predictors of Emerging Psychoactive Substance use. A p-value of Results: A total of 440 patients were admitted for drug rehabilitation, predominantly male (95.0%), single (72.5%), and Christian (85.0%), with a mean age of 32.0 ± 9.7 years. Most lived with family (60.0%), and 45.0% reported a family history of substance use. Emerging Psychoactive Substances (EPS) were used by 75.0% of respondents, with synthetic cannabinoids (40.0%), methamphetamine (35.0%), and codeine syrup (30.0%) being most common. Psychiatric morbidity was detected in 57.5% of patients, and over half (55.0%) had high dependence levels. EPS users initiated substance use significantly earlier than conventional drug users (6.6 ± 8.2 vs. 18.5 ± 21.9 years; p = 0.001). EPS use was also strongly linked to psychiatric morbidity (p Conclusion: EPS use is widespread among Nigerian rehabilitation patients and is linked to severe mental health and dependence outcomes, warranting urgent prevention and tailored treatment strategies.