Prior psychotic episodes among patients in a substance abuse clinic

Abstract

Aims: To examine the occurrence of comorbid non‐substance abuse axis‐1 disorders among patients being treated for substance abuse.

Design, setting and participants: Prospective study of patients admitted to a Norwegian clinic for substance abuse treatment. All patients in treatment during a 3‐month period were invited to participate.

Measurements: Patients were clinically interviewed and MINI and GAF were scored. Data were analysed with Chi‐square tests and multiple regression analyses.

Findings: Twenty‐four patients (77.4%) participated, of whom 91.7% had at least one comorbid non‐substance abuse axis‐1 disorder. Of the patients, 70.8% had suffered a psychotic episode and prior episodes of psychosis occurred significantly more often among those who had a main abuse of amphetamines. Many patients also abused benzodiazepines and/or cannabis as secondary substances.

Conclusions: A high level of prior psychotic episodes could be related to a high use of amphetamine and cannabis, and possibly to a shortage of low‐threshold treatment for substance abuse in the catchment area.

• Substance abuse
• amphetamines
• mental disorders
• comorbidity
• psychoses

Acknowledgements

The author wuld like to thank the participating patients and staff at the study clinic. The study was supported by a grant from the North Norwegian Psychiatric Research Centre (NNPF).