Substance use disorders in Saudi Arabia: review article

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to review all the available published studies and reports with particular reference to substance abuse in Saudi Arabia.Methods: Data were collected from a PubMed search and reviewing national journals, the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) reports, World Health Organization (WHO) reports and conference presentations over the last two decades.Results: Among Saudi patients in addiction treatment settings, the most commonly abused substances were amphetamine (4–70.7%,), heroin (6.6–83.6%), alcohol (9–70.3%) and cannabis (1–60%). Over the past decade, there was an increase in the use of cannabis and amphetamine and decrease in the use of heroin and volatile substances. Peer pressure and psychosocial stresses were risk factors for initiation as well as relapse of substance abuse. Anxiety, depression and hepatitis were the most common co-morbid disorders among the Saudi patients.Conclusion: Substance abuse is a public health problem in Saudi Arabia. It was associated with many psychiatric disorders, medical diseases and educational, occupational, legal and social consequences. School- and community-based prevention programmes are highly required in Saudi Arabia as a first-line strategy in the fight against substance abuse.