Abstract
Abstract:

Background: Evidence indicates a high unmet need for the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders in Nigeria.

Aims: This review highlights the factors contributing to such unmet needs, including inadequate or lack of data to drive effective interventions, a shortage of experts in the addiction field, insufficient infrastructure, a lack of pharmacological agents necessary for treatment, and a poor understanding of cultural factors.

Methods: In this paper, we discuss these issues in detail and provide a number of recommendations to address the identified gaps.

Conclusion: Addressing the unmet needs in substance use disorder treatment requires concerted efforts to improve data collection, increase the number of trained professionals, enhance infrastructure, and ensure the availability of necessary pharmacological treatments while considering cultural factors in intervention strategies.

Keywords: substance use disorders, Nigeria, treatment gaps, recommendations, addiction services.

Key words: K e y w o r d s : U n m e t N e e d ; Substance Use Disorders; Treatment; Nigeri