Abstract

In Saudi Arabia, the intake of alcohol or other addictive substances is deemed illegal, according to Islamic Sharia norms. Despite that, alcohol abuse is the most common substance misuse form in Saudi Arabia’s addiction facilities and specialized psychiatric centres, according to reports. To estimate the prevalence of alcohol and drug use as well as to determine perception and the self-reported consequences of them among medical students in Saudi Arabia. A sectional study was conducted, including a non-probability snowball sample of medical students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An anonymous online self-administered Arabic questionnaire through social media platforms was utilized, including sociodemographic characteristics, four questions from the core, alcohol and drug survey, and the alcohol, smoking, and substance involvement screening test (Arabic version 3.0). A total of 632 students were included in the study. The majority of students were females (65.2 %) and aged between 21 y and 25 y (75 %). The most used substances were tobacco products (27.2 %), followed by sedatives/sleeping pills (8.4 %) and alcoholic beverages (4 %). The universities did not differ significantly in any of the substance use aspects, namely lifetime substance use, substance use urge, substance use problems, and substance use failures. A significant association has been observed between universities as regards campus policies on alcohol and drugs χ2 (3)=15.13, p=0.002; the presence of a campus prevention program for alcohol and drugs χ2 (3)=10.28, p=0.016; campus concerns about drugs and alcohol prevention χ2 (3)=14.29, p=0.003. Substance abuse among medical students was low except for tobacco products. Substance abuse problems and substance abuse-related failures were significantly associated with the lifetime substance use, frequency, and urge to consume.