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Substance abuse in an inpatient psychiatric sample
K Brady1, S Casto, R B Lydiard
1Department of Psychiatry, Medical University South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Substance abuse is common in psychiatric patients, with 64% reporting past or present issues. However, this drug abuse is often underreported and undertreated, highlighting a critical gap in mental health care.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- The link between psychoactive drug abuse and psychopathology is complex and requires updated research, especially following the cocaine abuse epidemic.
- Systematic studies on substance abuse within psychiatric populations are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of substance abuse in a contemporary inpatient psychiatric sample.
- To explore the relationship between psychiatric diagnoses and substance abuse disorders.
- To assess the reporting and treatment of substance abuse in this population.
Main Methods:
- 100 consecutively admitted patients to an inpatient psychiatry unit were surveyed.
- A drug and alcohol use/abuse questionnaire was administered.
- Urine drug screens were conducted.
- DSM-III-R criteria were used for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- 64% of patients reported current or past substance abuse problems; 29% met criteria for abuse in the prior 30 days.
- No significant differences in substance abuse disorder prevalence were found across major diagnostic categories.
- Alcohol was the most frequently abused substance, followed by stimulants, cannabis, and sedative-hypnotics.
- 43% of urine drug screens were positive, with 42% of these patients denying use.
- Only 40% of patients with substance abuse problems had received treatment.
Conclusions:
- Substance abuse is highly prevalent in inpatient psychiatric settings.
- There is a significant underreporting of substance abuse, even with objective testing.
- Substance abuse in psychiatric patients is frequently undertreated, indicating a need for improved integrated care strategies.