Background: The substance abuse has been defined as any use of drugs for non-medical intention almost always for altering consciousness or producing highs. These substances tends to alter the mental or physical state of a person and that may be used continuously for that effect leading to addiction or abnormality. Substance use disorders are increasingly viewed as chronic conditions, and addiction treatment services are beginning to adopt models that were developed to address the impact of disease and services on the overall patient’s wellbeing.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a period of one month in 349 patient’s files at C1 in Bugando Medical Centre at Nyamagana, Mwanza- Tanzania.
Results: The study participant’s mean (SD) age was 34.55 (10.21) age range from 18-67 years old. Most of the study samples were males 248 (71.1%) and female 101 (28.9%). Most of these patients are unemployed 280 (80.2%), employed 33 (9.5%) and student were 36 (10.3%). Of all 349 participants 241 (69%) had been admitted in the psychiatric unit because of the substance abuse. Alcohol was the most commonly abused substance 52.4% with its prevalence cutting across all ages, gender followed by cigarette smoking 49.9% then marijuana and tobacco.
Conclusion: This study has indicated that the prevalence of substance abuse among psychiatric patients in the Bugando Medical Centre is moderately high at 69% with more Male users compared to the female. Therefore it is important to monitor the reason behind concerning the cannabis use in university students, and screening of adolescence and adults.