Substance abuse has been ranked the third highest cause of psychiatric cases recorded at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.

Lead psychiatrist at the hospital, Dr. Gordon Donnir, said doctors have found a strong link between alcohol and narcotic use and mental conditions, especially, among young adults.

He says the situation is increasing annually.

“About 90% of the [psychiatric] cases that come to the hospital come as co-morbidity that is they come in conjunction with other psychiatric disorders. There is strong linkage association between substance abuse and the development of psychiatric illnesses”, Dr Gordon told Luv News’ Erastus Asare.

A support group, Narcotics Anonymous, has been set up at KATH to assist rehabiliation of people suffering for narcotic related psychiatric problems.

Dr Donnir said the work of the Narcotics Anonymous would help efforts to prevent rehabilitated persons from falling back into drugs and substance abuse.

"If you don't have that social support network, provided by Narcotics Anonymous then the tendency to fall apart or fall back is greater," he said.