Advances in Psychology and Neuroscience

Special Issue

Substance Abuse: Perspectives, Trends, Issues and the Way Forward

  • Submission Deadline: Jan. 30, 2017
  • Status: Submission Closed
  • Lead Guest Editor: Garba Sadiq Uthman
About This Special Issue

According to Donald (2005), the socio-medical phenomenon of drug use and abuse among adolescents remains among the most critical issues facing our society today. The national and global environment is permeated with drugs of all kinds. Currently, the question is not whether most teenagers will use drugs, but which one(s) will they try And how many will become addicted to drugs Recent epidemiologic surveys confirm that most young people experiment with drugs such as alcohol and/or marijuana, while many try other drugs. A pervasive difficulty in dealing with this issue is our societal acceptance of drugs and the societal demand for medications to solve real or perceived health problems. The influence of the media and manufacturers, coupled with failure of governments and society to prevent the widespread availability of dangerous drugs also worsens this problem.

In Nigeria and most developing societies, there are growing health concerns on the rate at which over-the-counter drugs (OTC) and commonly-assessed psycho-active substances are abused. One of the commonly abused drugs are cough syrups-containing codeine (CSCC). Cases of mental disorder has been linked to CSCC abuse. According to Williams (2005), the illegal use of CSCC and the ease of obtaining the drug is increasing at an alarming rate and users of these CSCC with insurance or Medicaid, have learned various strategies of obtaining these drugs. Report indicates that some users have perfected ways of presenting symptoms that will be 'rewarded' by a prescription of desired CSCC.

In Denmark a new trend concerning the abuse of codeine has been reported by Jensen and Hansen. Danish drug abusers have discovered that codeine is easily separated from a number of medicine mixtures which is then used either orally or intravenously.

On a survey of primary abuse of CSCC in Nagaland, Niteen et al (1994) reported that most addicts were male in their early twenties whom were unmarried and educated up to matriculation. Mild forms of physical and psychiatric disorders amongst users were reported. Easy over-the-counter availability, lesser expenditure, milder withdrawals and ease of consumption without secrecy were some of the reasons observed by the study group for the emergence of this new form of addiction in Assam and Nagaland.

The Nigerian Directorate of Narcotic and Controlled substances of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and control (NAFDAC) disclosed that a large number of Nigerians are abusing the prescription of codeine.

The proposed special issue will look into the overall health, economic and socio-cultural impacts of this pandemonium.

Aims
The aims of this special issue are to:
-Have an overview of the current substances that are abused.
-Understand trends of substance abuse.
-Study the substance users and usage.
-Study the short and long term health hazards of the problem.
-Understand the perception drug abuse amongst health care givers and users of substances.
-Understand trends in techniques of health care management of substance abuse.
-Understand how regulatory policies and agencies fared in curtailing the syndrome.
-Have an overview of cellular and / or molecular basis and effects of substance abuse.

Lead Guest Editor
  • Garba Sadiq Uthman

    Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Guest Editors
  • Ibrahim Wakawa Abdu

    Mental Health Department, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

  • Bashir Zubair Chedi

    Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria

  • Muhammed G. Magaji

    Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  • Wannang N. Noel

    Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

  • Ben Chindo Chindo

    Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria

  • Abdullahi Yaro

    Department of Pharmacology, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria

  • Rabiu Abdussalam Magaji

    Department of Human Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  • Isyaku Umar Yarube

    Department of Physiology, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria

  • Sadique Kwajaffa Pindar

    Department of Mental Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

  • Mukhtar Mohammed Yerima

    Department of Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria

Published Articles
  • The Perceptions of Health Care Providers on the Current Therapeutic Utility of Codeine Containing Cough Syrups in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State Nigeria

    Uthman Garba Sadiq , Danjuma Charles Uba

    Issue: Volume 2, Issue 2-1, March 2017
    Pages: 1-6
    Received: Jul. 17, 2016
    Accepted: Jul. 19, 2016
    Published: Feb. 14, 2017
    DOI: 10.11648/j.apn.s.2017020201.11
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    Abstract: The non-medical consumption of codeine containing cough syrups (CCCS) in some communities of Northern Nigeria has become a subject of public concern of recent, largely due to its potential health hazards on the users and socio-economic impacts on the Society. The following work studied the drug prescribers’ and dispensers’ perceptions on the usage ... Show More
  • Emerging Perspectives on Drugs of Abuse: A Focus on Gadagi Consumption in Kano, Nigeria

    Aminu Mohammed Dukku

    Issue: Volume 2, Issue 2-1, March 2017
    Pages: 7-14
    Received: Sep. 24, 2016
    Accepted: Sep. 30, 2016
    Published: Feb. 14, 2017
    DOI: 10.11648/j.apn.s.2017020201.12
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    Abstract: This article investigated the consumption of gadagi (alysicarpus ovalifloius) in Kano, Nigeria. Appealing to many, especially of gullible youths, its emergence and popularization were traced. Due to its popularization, individuals within the neighborhoods become prone to gadagi and vulnerable to some masked risks and deviant acts. Using anomie, ava... Show More
  • The Influence of Substance Abuse on Youths’ Prospects in Nigeria and the Way Forward

    Maikano Madaki , Aminu Mohammed Dukku

    Issue: Volume 2, Issue 2-1, March 2017
    Pages: 15-20
    Received: Sep. 24, 2016
    Accepted: Sep. 30, 2016
    Published: Feb. 14, 2017
    DOI: 10.11648/j.apn.s.2017020201.13
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    Abstract: The youth today, live with two contrasting facts or social realities. Glowing potentials and prospects on the one hand, enormous challenges on the other. The first social fact reflect existing unlimited accomplishments and prospects in form of growing educational pursuits, surging rates of wider internet access, computer and IT services utilization... Show More
  • Prevalence of Psychiatric Symptoms and Correlation Between Psychiatric Domain of ASI and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale Among Patients with Substance Use Disorders in Northeastern Nigeria

    Yerima Mukhtar Mohammed , Onifade Peter Olutunde , Ibrahim Abdu Wakawa , Pindar Sadique Kwajaffa , Jidda Mohammed Said , Musami Umar Baba , Wakil Musa Abba

    Issue: Volume 2, Issue 2-1, March 2017
    Pages: 21-26
    Received: Sep. 25, 2016
    Accepted: Sep. 30, 2016
    Published: Feb. 14, 2017
    DOI: 10.11648/j.apn.s.2017020201.14
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    Abstract: The use of psychoactive substances is a common and ubiquitous behavior globally with considerable burden, mortality and morbidity. There is considerable degree of psycho-social, psychiatric and medical problems associated with the abuse of psychoactive substances. Few studies have examined the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms among patients with ... Show More
  • Cognitive Impairment/Dementia in HIV Patients in a Faith Based Clinic

    Piwuna C. G. , Piwuna T. O. , Obindo J. T. , Tungchama F. P. , Bankat M. A.

    Issue: Volume 2, Issue 2-1, March 2017
    Pages: 27-30
    Received: Sep. 28, 2016
    Accepted: Sep. 30, 2016
    Published: Feb. 14, 2017
    DOI: 10.11648/j.apn.s.2017020201.15
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    Abstract: Human Immuno-deficiency (HIV) Virus is usually among other disorders associated with cognitive impairment and dementia adding to the burden of the disease in affected individuals and the quality of care. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in a non-governmental organization caring for patients with the disease in Jos, North Central ... Show More
  • Tramadol Abuse Among Patients Attending An Addiction Clinic in North-Eastern Nigeria: Outcome of a Four Year Retrospective Study

    Ibrahim A. W. , Yerima M. M. , Pindar S. K. , Onyencho V. C. , Ahmed H. K. , Machina B. K. , Shehu S. , Rabbebe I. B. , Wakil M. A.

    Issue: Volume 2, Issue 2-1, March 2017
    Pages: 31-37
    Received: Sep. 28, 2016
    Accepted: Sep. 30, 2016
    Published: Feb. 14, 2017
    DOI: 10.11648/j.apn.s.2017020201.16
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    Abstract: The 21st century Nigeria has witnessed changing trends in the patterns of psychoactive substance use with Tramadol HCl emerging as a candidate drug in the North-eastern region of the country. This study assessed the prevalence, patterns and the reasons behind the sustained use of Tramadol in a sub-population of drug users. This is a retrospective c... Show More
  • Glia and Addiction: A Review

    Alhassan Abdulwahab , Sale Ibrahim Alhaji , Lawan Ibrahim , Uthman Garba Sadiq

    Issue: Volume 2, Issue 2-1, March 2017
    Pages: 38-41
    Received: Nov. 14, 2016
    Accepted: Nov. 19, 2016
    Published: Feb. 14, 2017
    DOI: 10.11648/j.apn.s.2017020201.17
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    Abstract: Glia (including astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes), which constitute the majority of cells in the brain were thought to function as passive supportive cells, bringing nutrients to and removing wastes from the neurons. Glia cells have almost the same receptors as neurons, secrete neurotransmitters, neurotrophic and neuroinflammatory factors... Show More
  • A Survey of the Usage and Users of Codeine Containing Cough Syrups in Maiduguri Nigeria

    Garba Uthman S. , Sholey Zakama G. , Maryam Modu B. , Usama Bugaje U.

    Issue: Volume 2, Issue 2-1, March 2017
    Pages: 42-46
    Received: Jan. 09, 2017
    Accepted: Jan. 12, 2017
    Published: Feb. 14, 2017
    DOI: 10.11648/j.apn.s.2017020201.18
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    Abstract: The Directorate of Narcotic and Controlled substances of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and control (NAFDAC) disclosed that a large number of Nigerians are abusing the prescription of codeine. The following work studied this illicit drug utilization in Maiduguri metropolitan Area of Borno State of Nigeria, with the aim of unde... Show More