Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is the use of a drug, legal or illegal, in a way that harms your health, your safety or your life: taking it without medical need, in larger amounts or more often than is safe, or despite the problems it is causing. Health bodies now prefer “harmful use” and “substance use disorder”, because “abuse” sounds like a verdict.

Also called: substance abuse; harmful use (WHO and ICD-11); substance use disorder; drug misuse; non-medical use of a medicine.

This entry is a short definition. Read our guides to substance abuse and addiction in Nigeria and choosing a rehab centre in Nigeria.

Signs and symptoms

Using more, or more often, than you meant to, and failing to cut down.
Needing more for the same effect; feeling unwell when you stop.
Missing work, school or family duties; secrecy about money.
Carrying on despite harm to your health, relationships or mood.

Causes

No single cause. Family history, trauma, untreated depression or anxiety, chronic pain, peer pressure and easy availability all raise the risk. In Nigeria, cheap tramadol, codeine syrups and cannabis play a large part.

Treatment

A doctor assesses physical dependence first, because stopping alcohol or sedatives suddenly can be dangerous. Then talking therapy such as CBT, family support, peer groups and, for some drugs, medicine prescribed by a doctor. Residential rehab suits some people; many recover at home. Treatment must never be forced or involve chaining, which the Mental Health Act bans.

In Nigeria

In the 2018 national survey, 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15 to 64, about 14.3 million people, had used a drug in the past year. That counts use, not addiction: close to 3 million had some dependence. Fear of the NDLEA keeps many families from asking for help, yet the agency also runs counselling centres and a free helpline.

Drug abuse vs addiction vs dependence

Drug abuse is a harmful pattern. Addiction, or a substance use disorder, means the use has taken control: cravings, failed attempts to stop, life narrowing around the drug. Dependence is the body’s adaptation, so that stopping brings withdrawal; you can be dependent on a prescribed medicine without abusing it.

When to get help

If someone is hard to wake after taking a drug, or you or someone else is thinking about suicide, call 112 (or 767 in Lagos), or Safe Place Nigeria on 0800 800 2000. The full list is on our helplines page. The NDLEA helpline, 0800 1020 3040, is free and open 24 hours. A substance use therapist on Mytherapist.ng can help alongside medical care.