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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
07:30
Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
[Psychosis and substance abuse]
Susana Vaz Carneiro1, Mário Borrego
1Departamento de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental, Hospital S. Francisco Xavier, Lisboa.
Acta Medica Portuguesa
|February 20, 2008
Summary
Psychotic patients frequently abuse substances, particularly young males. Cannabinoid use is a significant risk factor for schizophrenia, necessitating proactive detection and integrated treatment plans.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Addiction Medicine
Context:
- Retrospective study of 422 psychiatric inpatients (2001-2004) at Hospital S. Francisco Xavier.
- Focus on patients diagnosed with nonaffective psychosis (ICD-9 codes 292, 295, 297, 298).
- Investigated the comorbidity of psychosis and substance abuse.
Purpose:
- To characterize and chart the clinical profiles of acute psychiatric inpatients with psychosis and substance abuse.
- To highlight the prevalence and patterns of substance abuse in this population.
- To emphasize the association between cannabinoid use and schizophrenia risk.
Summary:
- 42% of psychotic inpatients had a history of substance abuse, predominantly young males.
- Schizophrenia patients with substance abuse history reached 40%; cannabinoids and alcohol were most common.
- Cannabis use identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia onset, with under-detection of drug use noted.
Impact:
- Alerts medical staff to the high prevalence of substance abuse in psychotic patients.
- Stresses the need for proactive substance abuse detection for better therapeutic projects.
- Advocates for integrated treatment considering comorbidity and promoting patient psychoeducation.
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