Comparative Investigation of Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder Patients in Terms of Folate Deficiency

Nutritional disorders are common in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and can lead to vitamin deficiencies such as Folate Deficiency (FD). The aim of this study was to investigate folate levels and the presence of FD in AUD or SUD patients by comparing them according to the type of substance used.

A total of 633 AUD or SUD patients were included in this retrospective file review study. Patients were divided into four groups based on the substance they used: Alcohol (n = 217), Cannabinoid (n = 71), Methamphetamine (n = 296) and Opiates (n = 49) and analyzed comparatively in terms of sociodemographic data, folate levels and FD status.

In AUD or SUD patients, mean folate levels (H = 110.249, p < 0.001), FD status differ according to the type of substance used (χ² = 31.715, p < 0.001). Mean folate levels were significantly lower (p < 0.0083) in the Methamphetamine group compared to the Alcohol and Cannabinoid groups, while Possible Folate Deficiency (PFD) was significantly higher in the methamphetamine group (p < 0.0083). FD was significantly higher in the Alcohol, Methamphetamine and Opiate groups compared to the Cannabinoid (p < 0.0083).

FD status in AUD or SUD patients varies according to the type of substance used. In these patients, especially those in the methamphetamine group and the alcohol and opiate groups, improving nutrition and folic acid supplementation may contribute to recovery.