ABSTRACT
"BACKGROUND: Globally; patterns of the use of psychoactive substances have been changing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the trend in two five-year periods; 1992-1997 versus 2002 - 2007; of alcohol and substance use disorders and associated variables in patients admitted to a drug abuse treatment facility. METHODS: This was a comparative cross-sectional study involving all patients admitted into Drug Abuse Treatment; Education; and Research (DATER); Unit of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital; Aro; Nigeria within the study period. All subjects had a structured psychiatric interview; a physical examination; laboratory investigations and ""DATER"" Questionnaire protocols that elicited socio-demographic; drug and family variables. RESULTS: The patients in 2002-2007 versus those of 1992-1997 were younger (c2 13.29; p=0.01). More last borns were using drugs by 2002-2007 (c2 11.37; p=0.01). Cannabis was the most abused drug in 2002-2007 (53.5) as compared to cocaine (44) in 1992-1997 (c2 35.5; p"