Young chronic patients and substance abuse.
The prevalence of substance abuse was investigated in 100 young chronic patients consecutively admitted to a long-term private psychiatric hospital. Data were obtained from diagnostic research interviews with each subject at admission. Half of the subjects had concurrent diagnoses of psychiatric disorder and substance abuse. One-third of the dual-diagnosis patients began using substances before the onset of a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, and they more often had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Half of the dual-diagnosis patients abused three or more drugs. Implications of the findings for treatment and community management of dual-diagnosis patients are discussed.
Caton
C L
CL
Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York.
Gralnick
A
A
Bender
S
S
Simon
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*