Knowledge and Attitude of Nurses Towards Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder Patients at Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba

Background: Nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward patients with substance use disorders significantly influence care quality and therapeutic outcomes. Stigmatising attitudes can create barriers to treatment engagement. Aim: This study assessed nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward patients with alcohol and substance use disorders at Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey recruited 90 registered psychiatric nurses through total enumeration. The Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire and a researcher-developed knowledge tool were administered. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27. Results: Knowledge of substance use disorder aetiology and treatment modalities was adequate in 62% of nurses. Sixty-nine percent expressed moderately negative attitudes, viewing substance users as personally responsible and low treatment priority. Nurses with specialised addiction nursing training demonstrated significantly more empathetic and evidence-aligned attitudes. Conclusion: Both knowledge and attitudinal deficits limit therapeutic care for substance use patients. The study recommends addiction nursing education in undergraduate and post-basic programmes, destigmatisation campaigns, and peer case review to cultivate compassionate, evidence-based care practices. Keywords: substance use disorders, nurse attitudes, addiction, Yaba, psychiatric nursing.