A consultant psychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Ismail Adesina, has raised concerns over the growing circulation of synthetic psychoactive substances in Nigeria, warning that they are significantly more potent, more dangerous and more likely to trigger severe mental health conditions than traditional illicit drugs.
Speaking to Nigeria Info FM, Adesina said recent seizures by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) across several states point to an expanding market for laboratory-produced substances whose chemical composition can be deliberately altered to increase their potency.
According to him, unlike naturally occurring drugs, synthetic substances are designed to produce stronger effects, making them particularly harmful to the brain.
"The fear about synthetic substances is that they tend to be more potent and more dangerous because the active ingredients can easily be modified in the laboratory. Manufacturers intentionally make them stronger because that is what attracts users," he said.
Adesina cited the example of Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid that has become increasingly common in Nigeria, explaining that it has dramatically changed the pattern of drug-induced psychiatric illnesses seen by clinicians.
He noted that while prolonged cannabis use has historically been associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia in susceptible individuals, the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids has led to cases of psychosis developing much more rapidly, sometimes after a person's first exposure.
"People who believed they were using ordinary cannabis began presenting with psychosis after only a few uses, and sometimes after the very first use. It was later discovered that many of them had actually taken Colorado," he explained.
Beyond the dangers posed by synthetic drugs, the psychiatrist identified the widespread availability and affordability of psychoactive substances as major obstacles to sustaining recovery among people undergoing treatment for addiction.
He said illicit drugs have become easily accessible in both urban and rural communities, with dealers increasingly relying on informal delivery networks and technology to reach buyers.
"Today, substances are available almost everywhere. Even people living in gated estates can order them discreetly through their phones, while some vendors disguise drug deliveries as ordinary commercial activities," he said.
Adesina further warned that the low cost of many illicit substances makes the problem worse.
"With as little as ₦50 or ₦100, someone can obtain enough substances to use several times a day," he added.
The psychiatrist also expressed concern over what he described as poor regulation of drug-related content in Nigeria's entertainment industry.
He argued that repeated depictions of smoking and substance use in music videos and other entertainment content can trigger cravings among recovering addicts and undermine rehabilitation efforts.
According to him, peer pressure also remains one of the strongest drivers of relapse, particularly among young Nigerians.
"Many recovering users return to the same social circles where substance use is normalised. Friends often dismiss medical advice and encourage them to continue using drugs, making long-term recovery much more difficult," he said.
Adesina said Nigeria's mental healthcare system is struggling to cope with the increasing number of people requiring addiction treatment and psychiatric care.
He recalled that even before substance abuse became widespread, about 80 percent of Nigerians living with mental health conditions were unable to access treatment.
He warned that the country's treatment gap has likely widened due to the growing drug epidemic and the continued emigration of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.
"More people now require treatment and rehabilitation, yet we do not have enough rehabilitation centres or mental health professionals to meet the demand," he said.
The psychiatrist called for stronger regulation, improved access to rehabilitation services and coordinated efforts to reduce the availability of illicit drugs, warning that Nigeria's substance abuse crisis will continue to deepen without sustained intervention.
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