Abuse of alcohol and other psychoactive substances among health care workers in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background: In lorin, there is no documented study on alcohol and other drugs use among health workers. Aim: To determine prevalence, types and risk of psychoactive substance use among health workers in University of llorin Teaching Hospital and offer immediate ASSIST-linked post interview brief intervention. Method: We interviewed 308 respondents using a sociodemographic data collection sheet and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST version 3. 1). Results: Current use of alcohol was 5.5%, opioid 2.3% and tobacco 1.9%. All users of tobacco and opioid were 'high risk' users, 41% of alcohol users were moderate risk users while the remaining 59% were low risk alcohol users. Conclusion: In spite of the relatively low level of substance use, there is a need for continued education and regulation of psychoactive drugs use within the hospital. Non punitive measures should be instituted to encourage users to freely seek evidence-based treatment and support