Nigerian survey ties climate stress and poverty to substance use and mental distress
A survey of 20,000 adults in three northern Nigerian states examined how climate-related hardship, poverty, and mental distress relate to harmful substance use. Nearly half of participants reported high psychological distress, and about one in five reported substance abuse. The authors argue that these issues should be addressed together through integrated mental health and livelihood programs.
Researchers interviewed 20,000 adults in 40 communities across Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina, a semiarid Sahel region where farming and herding support many livelihoods. They combined a multidimensional poverty measure, a psychological distress scale, and a substance involvement screening tool, plus questions about stress coping.
More than 85% of respondents faced severe multidimensional deprivation, compared with Nigeria's national rate of 62.9%. High psychological distress affected 45.2%. High-risk substance use affected 18.5%, most often cannabis (12.4%), then tramadol (9.1%) and alcohol (7.8%). About 67.5% mainly used unhealthy coping methods.
If these findings reflect the wider region, integrated mental health and livelihood support could help affected adults, families, and communities. Reducing untreated distress and harmful substance use may improve household stability and reduce pressure on local health services. Policymakers and aid groups may use the data to design combined programs, though the survey cannot prove causation and local cultural, economic, and health-system factors could shape outcomes.