ABSTRACT
Background: Substance abuse is a
worldwide problem and public health
issue with attendant health, social,
and economic consequences.
However, the types of substances
and pattern of abuse vary from place
toplace and withtime.
Aim: The aim of the study was to
determine the pattern of substance
use with the specific objectives of
determining the sociodemographic
profile of clients and to determine the
type of substances abused.
Methods: All clients who consented
to treatment at the Substance Abuse
Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre,
Vom between 2007 and 2011 were
recruited consecutively throughout
the period of study. They all had a
standardpsychiatric interview, and all
their substance use information was
recorded. They were also further
assessed with the Treatnet Addiction
Severity Index (ASI), MMPI-2 and
had urine toxicology carried out to
determine the type of substances
used as well as other laboratory
investigations. The diagnosis was
made frominformation gathered from
interview and clinical investigations
throughout the duration of treatment
according toICD-10(RDC).
Results: A total of 345 clients were
treated.There wasapreponderanceof
males, 333 (96.5%) who were mainly
single, 288 (83.5%) and Christians,
320 (92,8%). All had some form of
formal education with 214(62.0%)
educated beyond secondary school.
The unemployed were the majority,
247 (71.6%) followed by students,164
(47.5% ). The mean age of onset was
18.1± 6.3 and the mean age of the
sample was 29.7 ± 9.3years. Majority,
193 (56.0%) were within the age group
Key words: Key words: Pattern, substance
abuse,clients.
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