This study examined the pattern of substance abuse in a sample of 114 psychiatric inpatients using a standardized diagnostic interview. As predicted, psychiatric inpatients reported a significantly higher rate of substance abuse than a randomly selected community sample. Approximately three-quarters of the inpatients abused at least one substance. Almost one-half of the patient sample reported abusing more than one substance. These findings emphasize the need to screen psychiatric inpatients for substance abuse using a standardized diagnostic instrument and to develop treatment programs for substance abuse in psychiatric patients.
References
1.
WolfeL.H., SorensonJ.L.Dual diagnosis patients in the urban psychiatric emergency room.J Psychoactive Drugs1989; 21(2): 169–175.
2.
GalanterM., CastanedaR., FermanJ.Substance abuse among general psychiatric patients - Place of presentation, diagnosis and treatment.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse1988; 14(2): 211–235.
3.
RossH.E., GlaserF.B., GermansonT.The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with alcohol and drug problems.Arch Gen Psychiatry1988; 45: 1023–1031.
4.
BlandR.C., OrnH., NewmanS.C.Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Edmonton.Acta Psychiatr Scand1988 (Suppl); 77(338): 24–32.
5.
RobinsL.N., HelzerJ.E., CroughanJ.National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule.Arch Gen Psychiatry1981; 38: 389.
6.
DavisD.I.Differences in the use of substances of abuse by psychiatric patients compared with medical and surgical patients.J Nerv Ment Dis1984; 172(11): 654–657.
LehmanA.F., MyersP.C., CortyE.Assessment and classification of patients with psychiatric and substance abuse syndromes.Hosp Community Psychiatry1989; 40(10): 1019–1025.
9.
CastanedaR., GalanterM., FrancoH.Self-medication among addicts with primary psychiatric disorders.Compr Psychiatry1989; 30(1): 80–83.
