The pattern of substance use disorder in the United Arab Emirates in 2015: results of a National Rehabilitation Centre cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundSubstance use disorder (SUD) is a global problem with no boundaries, which also afflicts individuals from countries of the Arabian Peninsula. Data from this region is limited. In an effort to develop targeted prevention and intervention initiatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it was necessary to identify the nature of substance use by describing the characteristics of those using different substances. Consequently, this study in the UAE was conceived to describe the pattern of SUD in a first-ever cohort that was systematically recruited from the country’s National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) in Abu Dhabi.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty male patients were recruited from the NRC. Information on substance use was collected using a questionnaire that was completed at an interview with patients who consented to participate. The questionnaire was based on information that the study was designed to capture. It was reviewed by members of institutional ethics committees and approved prior to use. Two hundred and fifty male subjects from the Emirates Family Registry (EFR) were used as a comparison group.ResultsIn the cohort studied, SUD correlated with smoking and marital status. Poly-substance users formed the majority of the cohort (84.4 %) with various combinations of substances identified across different age groups. Opioid and alcohol were the most common substances used. The use of pharmaceutical opioids, primarily Tramadol (67.2 % of opioid users), was higher among the youngest age group studied (<30 years old), while older opioid users (≥30 years old) commonly used illicit opioids (Heroin). The use of prescribed medication for non-medical use also included Pregabalin (mean of 8.3 capsules ± 0.5 per day), Procyclidin (6.1 tablets + 0.6 per day) and Carisoprodol (4.2 tablets ± 0.4 per day) and was again highest in the age group below 30 years.ConclusionThis 2015 study highlights the importance of examining the pattern of poly-substance use in a population in order to develop targeted prevention programs to arrest the prevailing trends. It has drawn attention to the rise in use of prescription medication in the UAE, in particular among younger patients (<30 years), and continuing use of illicit opioid amongst males above 30 years. Specific prevention and intervention strategies, targeting differences between these distinct demographic profiles will capture a large subset of sufferers.

Rising pregabalin use and misuse in Australia: trends in utilization and intentional poisonings

“…There are reports of drug users taking large doses of pregabalin for euphoric and dissociative effects [14]. In some studies, pregabalin misuse among people with opioid use disorder is as high as 68% [20]. In some studies, pregabalin misuse among people with opioid use disorder is as high as 68% [20].…”

“…Populations thought to be at risk of pregabalin misuse include people with prior or ongoing substance abuse, particularly opioid abuse [16][17][18][19]. In some studies, pregabalin misuse among people with opioid use disorder is as high as 68% [20]. Age is also a significant predictor, with younger people more likely to misuse pregabalin [18,19].…”

Novel opioid detoxification using loperamide and P‐glycoprotein inhibitor

“…20 Of the three studies identified from the UAE, two identified only males as users of a national rehabilitation service and one identified a single female with a substance-related diagnosis among 285 randomly selected admissions to a psychiatric service. 15,16,21 Although an expected finding, the absence of females is of concern in this region with its conservative traditions and stigma associated with opioid use which are likely barriers to accessing medically-supported withdrawal services.…”

“…However, the majority (53.8%) used tramadol, either alone (40.1%) or in combination, consistent with findings from the UAE. 15,16 Concern about the risky use of this prescription medication in the Middle East is mounting, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime identifying it as an increasing contributor to admissions to substance abuse treatment services and deaths. 2 Females accounted for 24.2% and 31.8% of participants in two opioid detoxification program studies in the USA, respectively, 17,18 and 39% in Sweden.…”

Prevalence, and Associated Factors of tobacco smoking among adults in the United Arab Emirates; Results from National Health Survey

“…Limited studies have assessed the tobacco use prevalence among adults across UAE [6][7][8][9][10]. Beyond showing that smoking is unhealthy, epidemiologic research also contributes to identifying predictors of smoking behaviour, assess smoking cessation interventions and measuring the effects of anti-smoking regulations.…”