The prevalence and characteristics of moderate- to high-risk regulated and unregulated substance use among patients admitted to four public hospitals in Tshwane, South Africa

Moderate- to high-risk substance use is an undetected, unattended comorbidity in the hospital setting in Tshwane, particularly among young, single, unemployed men. Clinicians should identify and respond to this need. Further research is required on the implementation of in-hospital substance use screening and treatment interventions.