الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Substance abuse remains a complex and pervasive problem for society and for clinicians seeking to improve the lives of their patients. This study was performed with the aim of:<U+2022> To help in filling gaps about the information available on psychoactive substance abusers profiles in Egypt and the types of the substances abused. This is accomplished by questioning (i.e. interviewing) substance abusers coming to Toxicology Unit in Mansoura Emergency Hospital.<U+2022> Diagnose and detect psychoactive drugs and substances most commonly abused among them.This study was conducted on: This study included 150 patients with overdose of psychoactive drugs and substances referred to the Toxicology Unit in Mansoura Emergency Hospital. All patients included in this study were subjected to: Psychosocial assessment: By Substance Use Assessment Form which is a modification of psychosocial/ substance use assessment questionnaire.<U+2022> Thirty ml urine was obtained from each patient with positive history of abuse of psychoactive drugs or substances at the time of admission and before receiving any treatment.<U+2022> One ml of the urine sample was analyzed for the presence of opiates, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and cannabis by Syva, Solaris using Emit(R* (Bd.a.u. Assay.<U+2022> All results were confirmed by Thin <U+2013>Layer chromatography (TLC), and barbiturate results were additionally confirmed by HighPerformance Liquid chromatography (HPLC).This study has shown that:<U+2022> The majority of the studied psychoactive substance abusers were found to be single with age between 1625 years and the majority of them gave history of starting use between 1125 years of age (adolescence and early adulthood). They mainly used psychoactive substances for pleasurable effects.<U+2022> The majority of the studied sample had a poor academic achievement, as they were either illiterate, studying in primary, preparatory, or secondary schools or stopped education at those levels. Moreover, more than 50% of them were either manual or skilled workers. Only, 23% of patients were students at the time of the study.<U+2022> The commonest detected substance in urine of the studied patients on admission was cannabis, followed by benzodiazepines, opiates, and barbiturates. However, nearly all of them gave a clear history of regular cannabis (bango) use. On the other hand, the diagnosis of a polysubstance use is more common than a single or monosubstance use.<U+2022> A large number of studied patients lived in a stressful family atmosphere, and had family history of substance use. A considerably large number had history of arrest at least once in his lifetime, and history of aggressiveness. A smaller number had a history of suicidal attempt at least once in his lifetime.