The use of psychoactive substances has become one of the raising public health and socio-economic problems worldwide. Alcohol found to be the most commonly used drug in Africa followed by tobacco and khat in East Africa predominantly. Adult per capita of alcohol consumption has been grown by 25% from 2001-2005 in Africa. Substance use remains public concern of all segment of Ethiopian population particularly among adults. Ethiopia, one of the oldest independent African countries registered a dramatic increment in alcohol consumption per capita in the last few decades.

Harmful use of alcohol is a major global contributing factor to high mortality, morbidity and physical injury. It has physical health impacts such as alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, cancers and injuries; and to others accident and violence are very commonly associated with harmful alcohol drinking habits. Alcohol and alcohol related morbidity and mortality is a major public health problem attributable to more deaths than all the other drugs combined globally (Physicians and Lawyers for National Drug Policy, 2008). Health Professionals (HPs) are not immune to substance abuse. Like most people, they can experience the same situations that contribute to Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) such as low social support, low self-esteem, family problems, psychological disorders and stress.

There are also particular factors that put HPs at a greater risk of AUD such as professional stress; of contact with people who are seriously ill and dying, and long hours of practice. Alcohol is mostly used for recreational purposes by medical and paramedical society. Residents and attending physicians use drugs of abuse for performance enhancement and as selftreatment for various reasons, such as, pain, anxiety, or depression. Substance induced impairment among HPs is reported to grow in recent times.

Any physical, psychological and social impairment of HPs could place the public at increased risk for errors. Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug by HPs. American Medical Association (AMA) in 2014 reported approximately 14% of HPs develop AUD which is equivalent with the general population. Another study in University of Rhode Island revealed 25% prevalence of recent alcohol use among H. A study in Nigeria reported 56% ever users and 14% current users alcohol. Males were more likely than females to be users of alcohol. Some mentioned risk factors of AUD among HPs were moderate or more frequency of alcohol use, being in situations when alcohol served, feeling immune to the addictive effects of alcohol and socializing with alcohol abusers. HPs with young age and short service year as well as poor social network were highly linked with AUD. Harmful use of alcohol by working forces can be harmful beyond physical health; leading to social and occupational impairme.

International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, is a multidisciplinary quarterly designed to be the premier international forum and authority for the discussion of all aspects of emergency mental health.

Authors can submit their manuscript as an email attachment to: mentalhealth@emedscholar.com

Regards,

Journal Coordinator

International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience