TITLE:
Addictological Profile of Patients Using Psychoactive Substances Followed at the National Mental Health Center (CNSM) of Libreville in 2025
AUTHORS:
Dope Koumou Reine Épouse Ambourouet Ogandaga, Abessolo Ondo 1er Thomas Synclaire, Traoré Brahim Samuel, Goncé Dion Aristide, Moussavou Innocent, Mboussou Michel
KEYWORDS:
Psychoactive Substances, Urine Drug Screening, Psychiatric Comorbidity, Gabon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.16 No.3,
July
17,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Comorbidity between psychiatric disorders and psychoactive substance (PAS) use represents a major challenge in mental health, with prevalence rates estimated between 40% and 70% in sub-Saharan Africa, depending on the type of pathology and sociocultural context. In Gabon, data remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the addictive profile of PAS users based on urine drug screening tests performed at the National Mental Health Center (NMHC) in Libreville, Gabon. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical aim was conducted from June 30 to September 30, 2025, among patients who underwent urine drug screening. Urine screening was performed consecutively for all eligible psychiatric patients presenting during the study period. Associations with positivity were assessed using univariate logistic regression for age and chi-square or Fisher exact tests for categorical predictors, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) reported. Results: The mean age was 35.1 ± 14.2 years, with 71.8% males. The overall urine-test positivity rate was 65.0% (76/117). Benzodiazepines (46.2%) and cannabinoids (12.8%) were the most frequently detected substances. Younger age was associated with positivity (OR per year = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94 - 1.00; p = 0.022). Withdrawal symptoms showed higher odds of positivity at the conventional threshold (OR = 4.40; 95% CI: 0.95-20.43; Fisher exact p = 0.050). Sex (OR = 2.02; 95% CI: 0.82 - 5.02; p = 0.125) and previous patient status (OR = 1.68; 95% CI: 0.74 - 3.81; p = 0.212) were not statistically significant. Among test-positive patients, psychotic disorders accounted for 47.4% of diagnoses. Conclusion: In this single-center cross-sectional sample, PAS positivity was frequent and mainly driven by benzodiazepines and cannabinoids. The findings support targeted screening and integrated psychiatry-addiction collaboration at the CNSM, while causal inference and national generalization require multicenter prospective confirmation.