A cross-sectional study of patients with and without substance use disorders in Community Mental Health Centres

Abstract

BackgroundEpidemiological studies have consistently established high comorbidity between psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders (SUD). This comorbidity is even more prominent when psychiatric populations are studied. Previous studies have focused on inpatient populations dominated by psychotic disorders, whereas this paper presents findings on patients in Community Mental Health Centres (CMHCs) where affective and anxiety disorders are most prominent. The purpose of this study is to compare patients in CMHCs with and without SUD in regard to differences in socio-demographic characteristics, level of morbidity, prevalence of different diagnostic categories, health services provided and the level of improvement in psychiatric symptoms.MethodsAs part of the evaluation of the National Plan for Mental Health, all patients seen in eight CMHCs during a 4-week period in 2007 were studied (n = 2154). The CMHCs were located in rural and urban areas of Norway. The patients were diagnosed according to the ICD-10 diagnoses and assessed with the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales, the Alcohol Use Scale and the Drug Use Scale.ResultsPatients with SUD in CMHCs are more frequently male, single and living alone, have more severe morbidity, less anxiety and mood disorders, less outpatient treatment and less improvement in regard to recovery from psychological symptoms compared to patients with no SUD.ConclusionCMHCs need to implement systematic screening and diagnostic procedures in order to detect the special needs of these patients and improve their treatment.

Prevalence and correlates of substance use among psychiatric inpatients

“…that substance use is common among patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. The results of this study need to be interpreted cautiously, as previous studies found that the lifelong substance use rate among patients with psychotic disorders range from 11.0 to 34% . The results, in general, provide new insight into the co‐occurring substance use and mental disorders.…”

“…The results of this study need to be interpreted cautiously, as previous studies found that the lifelong substance use rate among patients with psychotic disorders range from 11.0 to 34%. 5 The results, in general, provide new insight into the co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. Although the study did not assess the comorbidity of mental and substance abuse, and rather emphasized the association and prevalence of substance use among patients diagnosed with mental disorders, the study raises the need to pay more attention to screen for substance use and abuse among psychiatric patients.…”

“…In general community population, Vasquez found that 8.6% of those with symptoms of major depressive disorder are using substances, while Leray and colleagues reported that 4.4% of the subjects have anxiety disorder and alcohol use and 2.2% have anxiety disorder and drug use. While among psychiatric patients, prevalence of substance use varies between 33.9% among those diagnosed with mood disorders, 22.9% among patients with anxiety disorders, 10.7% among those diagnosed with psychotic disorders, and 11.3 among all other psychiatric illnesses . However, it has been found that the most common comorbidity is between depression and substance use disorder (prevalence of 12–80%) .…”

“…While among psychiatric patients, prevalence of substance use varies between 33.9% among those diagnosed with mood disorders, 22.9% among patients with anxiety disorders, 10.7% among those diagnosed with psychotic disorders, and 11.3 among all other psychiatric illnesses. 5 However, it has been found that the most common comorbidity is between depression and substance use disorder (prevalence of 12-80%). 6 Moreover, Carrà et al 7 found that 35, 21, and 19% of the patients are diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorders in Britain, Germany, and France, respectively.…”

Alcohol, Cannabinoids, and Opioids Abuse and Dependence Among Psychiatric Inpatients

“…This is clinically important as this co-morbidity has a negative impact on the treatment of both conditions (3). While many different epidemiological factors contribute to this phenomenon, inconsistent results have been observed in different studies (8). As a result, the findings could not be generalized to other societies and even to a certain disease.…”