Depression and Paranoid Ideation as Correlates of Substance Abuse among Nigerian Military Personnel Deployed for United Nations Peace Support Operation

Substance use disorders have been given increase recognition recently in community and clinical studies. The study investigated relationship between depression, paranoid ideationand substance abuse among Nigerian military personnel deployed for peace support operation. A total of twenty two thousand and four hundred (n=22400) Nigerian Army personnelearmarked for United Nations peace support operation in Sudan and Liberia participated in the cross sectional study, using a 244-item structured self-report questionnaireand Multi-drug one step Multi-Line Screen Test Device (Urine).The mean age of the participants was 32.4years (SD±5.1). A positive relationship of depression (r=.71, df =22399, P<.05) and paranoid ideation (r=.65, df =22399, P<.05) with substance abuse was observed.18.5% of Nigerian Army personnel abuse one of alcohol, cannabis and tobacco, and 8.5% abuse at least two of alcohol, cannabis and tobacco. 12.3% of troop deployed for peace support operation had depressive symptoms while 13.2% had paranoid ideation symptoms. This establishes a relationship between depression, paranoid ideation and substance abuse. Policies and actions should be directed towards holistic approach on management of dual disorders in the Nigerian Military.