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Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients presenting with first‐episode psychosis and concurrent substance misuse
Author(s) -
Carr Jason A.R.,
Norman Ross G.M.,
Manchanda Rahul
Publication year - 2009
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/j.1751-7893.2008.00100.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , psychosis , intervention (counseling) , anxiety , substance abuse , social anxiety , psychology , clinical psychology , incidence (geometry) , substance misuse , substance use , medicine , mental health , physics , optics
Aims: To determine the incidence of concurrent substance misuse among individuals entering first‐episode psychosis treatment, and examine whether patients with concurrent substance misuse differ on variables relevant to service planning. Methods: Consecutive patients ( n = 376) were assessed using standardized instruments. Results: Twenty‐two per cent met abuse or dependence criteria for a single substance, and 8% met criteria for two substances. Most met criteria for marijuana or marijuana and alcohol. The majority of patients with a concurrent disorder were male, and on average they were 3.5 years younger at psychosis onset. Patients with a concurrent disorder experienced worse ‘positive’ and anxiety symptoms in the month before treatment. Premorbidly they had better social functioning, but worse academic functioning. Conclusions: There are important differences between patients entering first‐episode psychosis treatment with and without a concurrent substance misuse. Early intervention efforts might be informed by our accumulating knowledge about the characteristics of patients who have both disorders.