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INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Opioid use among Nigerian students

into their curricula to teach future healthcare professionals Codeine is another extensively abused opioid. It is
about the hazards associated with these medicines. commonly present in cough syrups and is easily accessible
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Furthermore, students’ prescription behavior has shifted, over the counter in many Nigerian pharmacies. The
with fewer students willing to be prescribed opioids availability of codeine-containing products has led to its
in clinical practice, indicating a rising knowledge of misuse, particularly among students who may use it for
the hazards associated with these drugs. This shift in recreation or self-medication. The “codeine diet,” in which
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attitude toward opioid prescription mirrors a larger trend people consume significant amounts of codeine syrup
of healthcare professionals and students adopting more combined with soft beverages, was a trend among Nigerian
cautious and educated practices. adolescents, illustrating the cultural norms around opioid
When tackling the opioid issue among Nigerian use. 21
students, sociocultural elements that affect pain treatment Oxycodone and hydrocodone are less often reported
practices in the nation must be evaluated. These issues, in Nigeria due to their limited availability and stricter
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such as human resource restrictions, infrastructural regulatory requirements. However, opiate abuse is not
problems, and budgetary constraints, influence effective completely absent because some students may seek them
pain management and lead to opioid misuse as a coping out illegally for recreation or pain management. The rise
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mechanism. Furthermore, the modest presentation of in polydrug use, where opioids are combined with alcohol
14
OUD in some patient populations, such as those with or stimulants, complicates the opioid consumption picture
sickle cell disease, emphasizes the significance of early among Nigerian students. 21
diagnosis and referral to treatment facilities for appropriate
management. 15 5. Methods of opioid consumption

4. Types of opioids consumed The methods of opioid use among Nigerian students
vary greatly based on cultural conventions, availability,
In Nigeria, the opioid landscape is characterized by a and personal preferences. Oral consumption is the most
wide range of drugs, with tramadol and codeine as the common delivery method, particularly for tramadol and
most often abused opioids. Tramadol, a synthetic opioid codeine. Students may mix them with liquids, such as soft
analgesic similar to meperidine, has become popular drinks or alcohol, to improve their effects. This strategy
because it is more easily accessible and thought to be safer increases not only the risk of overdosing but also the
than conventional opioids. It is commonly used to treat likelihood of developing substance use disorders. 21,22
moderate-to-severe pain; however, it is also becoming Injecting opioids has also been documented; however,
increasingly popular for its psychedelic properties. Studies it is less frequent among the general student population.
have revealed that tramadol abuse is prevalent among This approach is often associated with more severe
young people, raising serious public health issues. 16,17
substance use problems and is frequently observed among
Non-prescription opioids, also known as illicit opioids, marginalized populations or individuals with a history of
are those that are not legally prescribed by a registered intravenous drug use. The stigma associated with the use
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medical practitioner. They are often obtained and used of injectable drugs may discourage many students from
illegally, usually injected, snorted, or smoked. Heroin, using this approach, resulting in a preference for oral use.
opium, and illicitly manufactured fentanyl are some of the
most common non-prescription opioids. Some of these In addition to traditional methods of use, the trend of
are illicitly manufactured or present as counterfeit pills, combining opioids with other drugs to obtain the desired
effects has been increasing. For example, tramadol combined
illicit opioids pressed into pills that mimic prescription
opioids. 3,4,18 Prescription opioids are those prescribed with alcohol or other stimulants is a common practice
by a registered medical practitioner. These are legally among students seeking to improve their experiences at
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produced but are abused considerably by students with social gatherings or parties. This polydrug use has serious
OUD. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, health hazards because the combination of multiple drugs
might result in unforeseen and deadly effects.
fentanyl, methadone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone,
buprenorphine, tramadol, and tapentadol are the commonly The motives for opioid use among Nigerian students
prescribed opioids for pain but carry a risk of misuse and vary. Many students have reported taking opioids to
addiction. These drugs are also used in combination with deal with academic stress, emotional discomfort, or
other medications such as acetaminophen. Methadone social pressure. The cultural environment in which these
is also used as a medication for the assisted treatment of medications are taken significantly affects the views
opioid addiction. 19,20 about opioid use. For example, the normalization of some

Volume 8 Issue 1 (2025) 49 doi: 10.36922/itps.3894