Changing trend of prevalence in substance use Prevalence of any illegal substance and/or alcohol was estimated by many (44 – 67%) psychiatrists to have remained the same from 2007/2008 to 2009. Use of solvents was perceived by 1 psychiatrist to have slightly decreased over a 1-2 year period. A small number of psychiatrists, however, considered an increased prevalence for cocaine (33%), amphetamines-types (11%), sedatives (22%), hallucinogens (11%), alcohol (22%) and any other type of drugs (22%). Cannabis and opioids, on the other hand, were reported by an equal number of psychiatrists to have either decreased or increased. Patients’ primary choice of substance Among the cases of substance use encountered by psychiatrists, opioids were ranked first and therefore the substance of choice used by the private practitioner’s patients. Cocaine was ranked second, and cannabis was ranked second and third. Sedatives and tranquilizers were ranked first and second, and alcohol was in the first four rankings. Both amphetamine-types and hallucinogens were ranked fourth (Table 5.3.1).
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