Understanding factors influencing substance use in people with recent onset psychosis: A qualitative study.
This qualitative study identifies factors influencing the use of substances in young people with recent onset psychosis. A purposive sample of 19 people aged between 16 and 35 years from an Early Intervention Service in the English National Health Service (NHS) was interviewed using a semi-structured guide. All had experienced a psychotic episode and were within 3 years of first contact with the service. All were either currently misusing substances or had been doing so in the 6 months prior to first contact with the service. All participants were/had been regular cannabis users and for 13(68%) cannabis was the primary drug of use. Thematic analysis identified four key themes in participants accounts of factors influencing their substance abuse: influence of perceived drug norms on behaviour; attributions for initial and ongoing drug-taking behaviour; changes in life goals affecting drug use; beliefs about the links between mental health and drug use. These findings have clear implications for interventions at a number of levels to support young people using substances in early psychosis including public health messages, education and psychological therapies.
Spectrum Centre, School of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. f.lobban@lancaster.ac.uk
Fiona
F
Lobbana
Christine
C
Barrowclough
Sophie
S
Jeffery
Sandra
S
Bucci
Katherine
K
Taylor
Sara
S
Mallinson
Mike
M
Fitzsimmons
Max
M
Marshall
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D009313:National Health Programs; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult