Psychoactive substance dependence in females. A three year review of patients on admission at an addiction treatment centre in north central Nigeria

Background: Psychoactive Substance dependence is a chronic and relapsing brain disorder characterized by uncontrollable drug use despite negative physical, social and psychological consequences. Although regarded as a mainly male affair in the past, recent trends indicate that more females are becoming involved.Materials and Method: Data was collected from the case notes of all patients admitted into Centre for Addiction treatment Vom between January 2014 and December 2016 . Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 .Results: There was a progressive increase in the number of female admissions. Their ages range from 16 to 47 years and 88.9 % were multiple substance abusers. Psycho-stimulants were the commonest substance of abuse among the females with a high rate of abuse of prescription medications, the commonest being tramadol. Injecting drug use was uncommon.Conclusion: Females are increasingly becoming involved in substance use.Keywords: Psychoactive substance dependence, females, admission, drug treatment centre, North central Nigeria