Abstract

Background: The abuse of drugs is a common public health challenge, and the seeking of rehabilitation care is usually delayed. However, the independent contribution of multidrug abuse to such delays remains underexplored.
Aim: To determine the independent predictors of prolonged untreated substance abuse among clients admitted for rehabilitation at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin-Kebbi (FTH-BK), and Usmanu Danfodiyo University teaching hospital, Sokoto (UDUTHS).
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional analytical study that was conducted among 54 clients admitted for drug rehabilitation at UDUTHS and FTH-BK. Clients were recruited via consecutive sampling over 12 months using a questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25. Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to assess associations and predictors, respectively, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of study participants was 30.4 years (SD ± 9.9), with most falling within the 17–31-year age category (64.8%), from low socioeconomic backgrounds (46.3%). Most began abusing substances at 18 years or older (61.1%), and 55.6% reported using five or more illicit substances. There was a statistically significant association between the duration of untreated substance abuse and the age category (p = 0.045), socioeconomic class (p = 0.008), and number of substances abused (p = 0.013). Additionally, the number of substances abused is the only determinant (Exp[B] = 95% CI, 0.046–0.687; p = 0.012).
Conclusion: There are disproportionate delays in accessing drug rehabilitation care among individuals of younger age groups, lower socioeconomic class, and especially among those engaging in multiple drug abuse. Therefore, targeted interventions directed to these high-risk cohorts are paramount to mitigate the adverse consequences associated with prolonged untreated substance use disorders.

Key words: Substance use disorders, Polydrug use, Rehabilitation, Duration of untreated substance use.