Epidemiological, Substance Use Profile and Psychological Outcomes in Methanol Intoxicated Patients

Abstract

Background: The use of psychoactive substances (PAS) is nowadays a priority in the field of psychiatric research. It is a public health problem linked to dependence and mental health disorders in terms of causality and co-morbidity. Objective: To establish the epidemiological profile, assess the dependence on alcohol and other psychoactive substances in subjects consulting for acute intoxication with methanol, and study the prevalence of anxiety and depression in these patients. Methods: In order to better understand the phenomenon of PAS consumption among young adults, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among patients who presented an acute collective intoxication with methanol-based cologne in May 2020 in Hajeb El Ayoun in Kairouan, Tunisia. Results: Patients had a particular epidemiological status in terms of numerous criteria. PAS addiction prevalence was among the majority of participants including alcohol, cannabis, and drugs (respectively 86%, 69.8%, 46.5%). Also, depression and anxiety evaluation rates were high (more than 79% for definite symptomatology). Furthermore, we found a statistically significant association between anxiety and alcohol dependence (p=0.032), and depression and addiction to a medication or a drug (p=0.017). Conclusions: It is essential to set up strategies to prevent the consumption of PAS to avoid its harmful consequences. Moreover, determining factors associated with this addiction could allow us to pay attention to the vulnerable subjects to make the screening much easier and more accessible to prevent the occurrence of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.