Premium
Specialized assertive community treatment intervention for homeless youth with first episode psychosis and substance use disorder: A 2‐year follow‐up study
Author(s) -
DoréGauthier Virginie,
Miron JeanPhilippe,
JutrasAswad Dider,
OuelletPlamondon Clairélaine,
AbdelBaki Amal
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12846
Subject(s) - assertive community treatment , psychiatry , psychological intervention , medicine , opioid use disorder , intervention (counseling) , substance abuse , psychosis , mental illness , housing first , psychology , mental health , opioid , receptor
Aim No previous study has investigated interventions for homeless youth suffering from first episode psychosis and comorbid substance use disorder (HYPS). An intensive assertive community intervention team (IACIT) offering outreach interventions, housing support as well as integrated care for early psychosis and substance use disorder (SUD) was created in 2012 at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). To explore the impact of the addition of an IACIT to an early intervention for psychosis service (EIS) on housing stability, functional and symptomatic outcomes and mental health service use. Methods A two‐year longitudinal study comparing the outcome of HYPS receiving combined EIS and IACIT since 2012, to a historical cohort of HYPS receiving EIS only between 2005 and 2011. Socio‐demographic data, housing stability, functioning, illness severity, SUD severity, emergency room visits and hospitalizations were assessed at admission, at 1 month, and every 3 months thereafter. Results HYPS receiving EIS + IACIT achieved housing stability more rapidly and spent less time hospitalized than HYPS getting EIS only (RR 2.38, P = .017). HYPS with cocaine misuse were less likely to attain housing stability (RR 0.25, P = .04). No between‐group differences were found for psychiatric symptoms, functioning and SUD outcomes. Conclusion The addition of IACIT‐HYPS to EIS was associated with earlier housing stability and reduced total hospitalization days compared to EIS alone.