Substance use disorders (SUDs) are increasingly recognized as chronic, relapsing medical conditions with significant social, economic, and health consequences. Although historically characterized by low prevalence due to cultural, religious, and legal deterrents, recent evidence indicates rising misuse of prescription medications, synthetic substances, and alcohol in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Over the past decade, the UAE has implemented major reforms, including rehabilitative legal pathways and expansion of specialized treatment services. Despite these advances, persistent challenges remain, including stigma, workforce shortages, fragmented care pathways, and limited aftercare. This review synthesizes current epidemiological trends, policy developments, treatment infrastructure, and systemic barriers, and proposes evidence-based recommendations aligned with international standards to support a comprehensive, culturally responsive addiction care framework.
Substance use disorders (SUDs) constitute one of the most pressing global public health challenges, contributing substantially to morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. As noted in the original manuscript, “Substance use disorders are increasingly recognized as chronic, relapsing medical conditions with profound social, economic, and health consequences.” This framing aligns with contemporary models that conceptualize addiction as a chronic brain disease requiring long term, integrated care rather than episodic or punitive responses [1-2].
Globally, rapid urbanization, increased availability of synthetic drugs, and shifting sociocultural norms have contributed to rising prevalence rates [3-4]. The UNODC World Drug Report 2024 highlights escalating misuse of synthetic cannabinoids, amphetamine type stimulants, and prescription medications across multiple regions. These trends are mirrored in the UAE, a rapidly developing nation with a diverse expatriate population and increasing exposure to global drug markets.
Historically, substance use in the UAE remained low due to strong religious norms, cohesive family structures, and strict legislation. However, recent reports indicate a gradual increase in both licit and illicit drug consumption, particularly among young males [5-6]. Prescription medications such as tramadol, pregabalin, and benzodiazepines have become substances of concern, alongside synthetic cannabinoids and alcohol misuse among expatriates [7-8].
Despite growing political commitment and substantial investment in treatment infrastructure, the literature reveals several gaps. Existing studies often examine isolated components, such as legal reforms, treatment centre operations, or youth perceptions without integrating these elements into a cohesive national overview. There is a need for a consolidated synthesis of epidemiological trends, policy developments, service structures, and systemic barriers specific to the UAE.
This mini review addresses this gap by providing a structured, evidence-based analysis of addiction services in the UAE, comparing them with international best practices, and identifying priority areas for future development. The goal is to support policymakers, clinicians, and researchers in advancing a comprehensive, culturally responsive addiction strategy.
Patterns of substance use in the UAE reflect global shifts toward synthetic and pharmaceutical substances:
Prescription medications (tramadol, pregabalin, benzodiazepines) are frequently misused due to accessibility and perceived safety [7,9].
Synthetic cannabinoids and amphetamine type stimulants have gained popularity among younger users [3,10].
Alcohol misuse remains a concern among expatriates despite regulatory restrictions [8,11].
Illicit substances such as methamphetamine and heroin appear in forensic reports, though at lower prevalence [5].
Dual diagnoses involving depression, anxiety, and trauma related disorders are increasingly documented, complicating treatment and recovery [12-13]. This aligns with global evidence demonstrating high comorbidity between SUDs and psychiatric disorders.
Stigma remains a major barrier to help seeking, particularly among Emirati families where addiction is often viewed as a moral failing [6]. The manuscript notes that “stigma remains one of the most significant obstacles to treatment engagement.” Global evidence confirms that stigma reduces treatment entry, retention, and recovery outcomes [14-15].
The UAE has undertaken significant legislative reforms to modernize its approach to addiction. Federal Decree Law No. 30 of 2021 represents a pivotal shift, introducing rehabilitative alternatives for first time offenders and expanding judicial discretion to support treatment over incarceration [16].
Key policy features include:
Mandatory referral to accredited treatment centres
Reduced penalties for individuals completing rehabilitation
Emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and community education
Alignment with WHO recommendations advocating public health–based responses [17].
These reforms reflect a global movement toward treating addiction as a chronic medical condition rather than a criminal act [18-19].
The NRC in Abu Dhabi serves as the country’s flagship addiction treatment facility, offering:
Medically supervised detoxification
Individual and group psychotherapy
Family interventions
Relapse prevention programs
Continuing care and follow up
The NRC also contributes to research, workforce training, and policy development [20].
Located in Dubai, Al Amal provides:
Detoxification services
Outpatient follow up
Court mandated assessments
Psychiatric care for co-occurring disorders
Private centres and NGOs offer outpatient counselling, harm reduction education, and family support. Accessibility varies due to cost, insurance limitations, and geographic distribution.
Despite progress, addiction services remain fragmented, with limited coordination between primary care, mental health services, and social support systems [21]. This fragmentation contributes to treatment dropout and relapse.
The UAE has demonstrated strong political commitment to addressing addiction through legislative reform, investment in specialized services, and alignment with international standards. However, deeper analysis reveals important contrasts between UAE practices and international benchmarks.
Countries with mature addiction systems such as Portugal, Canada, and the UKhave adopted integrated, recovery oriented frameworks emphasizing:
Stepped care models
Harm reduction services
Integrated mental health–addiction clinics
Peer support networks
Community based rehabilitation
These models are supported by robust evidence [2-23]. In contrast, the UAE’s system remains more centralized and medically oriented, with limited community based services and minimal harm reduction infrastructure [24].
The UAE faces shortages of addiction psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and peer support specialists. Expanding postgraduate training programs and certification pathways aligned with WHO standards is essential [25-26].
Stigma remains a major barrier to help seeking. International evidence shows that culturally tailored public education campaigns, school based prevention programs, and family centred interventions can reduce stigma and promote early intervention [15,27].
This review highlights that the UAE has made substantial progress in reframing addiction as a public health issue, modernizing legislation, and expanding specialized treatment services. However, persistent challenges including stigma, workforce shortages, fragmented services, and limited aftercare underscore the need for a comprehensive national addiction strategy.
Substance use patterns increasingly mirror global trends
Legislative reforms have shifted the national approach toward rehabilitation
Specialized services provide high-quality care but remain insufficient relative to population needs
Stigma and fragmented care pathways impede recovery outcomes
Policymakers should prioritize integrated, multisectoral strategies
Clinicians require expanded training opportunities in addiction medicine
Community based services and peer support networks are essential for long term recovery
Establish a national addiction observatory
Expand MAT and harm reduction initiatives
Develop culturally tailored stigma reduction campaigns
Strengthen reintegration pathways
Enhance coordination between healthcare sectors
The absence of comprehensive national epidemiological data limits service planning and outcome evaluation. Establishing a national addiction observatory would significantly enhance evidence based policymaking [17,28].
To align more closely with international best practices, the UAE may consider:
Developing community based recovery centres
Expanding medication assisted treatment (MAT) programs [29].
Implementing national prevention campaigns
Strengthening integration between primary care and mental health services
Establishing national data systems
Enhancing vocational rehabilitation and reintegration programs
Longitudinal studies on substance use trends
Evaluations of treatment outcomes
Research on culturally adapted interventions
Studies examining the impact of legal reforms
The author declares no conflicts of interest.
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