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From “Codeine Diet” to “Gutter Water”: polydrug use among Nigerian young adults

From “Codeine Diet” to “Gutter Water”: polydrug use among Nigerian young adults The purpose of this paper is to explore polydrug use and the factors that motivate the use of multiple substances among selected young adults.Design/methodology/approachA total of 23 male and female participants (aged 23-29 years) who use illicit drugs and prescription pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes were recruited through snowball sampling. Qualitative interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed thematically.FindingsThe use of drug “concoctions” and cocktails was widespread among the participants. Some used what they called Codeine Diet (codeine-based cough syrup mixed with a Coca-Cola® product or malt drink), while others took Gutter Water (a cocktail of cannabis, codeine, tramadol, vodka and juice or water). The use of Monkey Tail (a mixture of local gin, cannabis leaves, stems, roots and seeds) and petrol mixed with glue and La Casera® (carbonated soft drink) combined with Tom-Tom® (menthol-flavoured candy) was also revealed. Pleasure, better highs, the need to experience prolonged intoxication and the use of one drug to douse the effects of another substance motivated polysubstance use.Social implicationsThe findings revealed that the reasons why codeine-based cough syrups are mixed with soft drinks (Codeine Diet) include avoiding social discrimination and evading law enforcement agencies. Results suggest that these drug use practices require specifically tailored public health interventions. Social stigmatization against substance users and the use of extra-legal measures by the police should be discouraged to facilitate harm reduction.Originality/valueThis study represents the first qualitative research to explore polydrug use among an understudied Nigerian population. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Drugs and Alcohol Today Emerald Publishing

From “Codeine Diet” to “Gutter Water”: polydrug use among Nigerian young adults

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
1745-9265
DOI
10.1108/dat-02-2020-0003
Publisher site
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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore polydrug use and the factors that motivate the use of multiple substances among selected young adults.Design/methodology/approachA total of 23 male and female participants (aged 23-29 years) who use illicit drugs and prescription pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes were recruited through snowball sampling. Qualitative interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed thematically.FindingsThe use of drug “concoctions” and cocktails was widespread among the participants. Some used what they called Codeine Diet (codeine-based cough syrup mixed with a Coca-Cola® product or malt drink), while others took Gutter Water (a cocktail of cannabis, codeine, tramadol, vodka and juice or water). The use of Monkey Tail (a mixture of local gin, cannabis leaves, stems, roots and seeds) and petrol mixed with glue and La Casera® (carbonated soft drink) combined with Tom-Tom® (menthol-flavoured candy) was also revealed. Pleasure, better highs, the need to experience prolonged intoxication and the use of one drug to douse the effects of another substance motivated polysubstance use.Social implicationsThe findings revealed that the reasons why codeine-based cough syrups are mixed with soft drinks (Codeine Diet) include avoiding social discrimination and evading law enforcement agencies. Results suggest that these drug use practices require specifically tailored public health interventions. Social stigmatization against substance users and the use of extra-legal measures by the police should be discouraged to facilitate harm reduction.Originality/valueThis study represents the first qualitative research to explore polydrug use among an understudied Nigerian population.

Journal

Drugs and Alcohol Today – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jul 10, 2020

Keywords: Nigeria; Codeine; Young adults; Drug use motives; Drug; Gutter water; New psychoactive substance; Polydrug; Tramadol

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