DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2013.v01i06.0015

Pages: 714-717

Alcohol is the commonest addictive psychoactive substance used in modern times as it was noted to be used as done in medieval times. However with use of alcohol their exists the relationship of co morbidity between substance use and psychiatric disorders. There was a strong association between mood and anxiety disorders as well as conduct and antisocial personality disorder with substance disorders at all levels. Association of psychosis whether as a co mobidity or a etiology was a matter subject to further evaluation. The results also suggested that there was a definite continuum in the magnitude of co morbidity as a function of the spectrum of substance use category (use, problems, dependence), as well as a direct relationship between the number of co morbid disorders and increasing levels of severity of substance use disorders. Whereas there was no specific temporal pattern of onset for mood disorders in relation to substance disorders, the onset of anxiety disorders was more likely to precede that of substance disorders. These results illustrate the contribution of importance in understanding the patterns and risk factors for psychopathology and substance use disorders and understanding the various comorbid psychiatric disorders associated with psychoactive substance use.