title: Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients presenting with first-episode psychosis and concurrent substance misuse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence of concurrent substance misuse among individuals entering first-episode psychosis treatment, and examine whether patients with concurrent substance misuse differ on variables relevant to service planning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients (n=376) were assessed using standardized instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two per cent met abuse or dependence criteria for a single substance, and 8% met criteria for two substances. Most met criteria for marijuana or marijuana and alcohol. The majority of patients with a concurrent disorder were male, and on average they were 3.5 years younger at psychosis onset. Patients with a concurrent disorder experienced worse 'positive' and anxiety symptoms in the month before treatment. Premorbidly they had better social functioning, but worse academic functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are important differences between patients entering first-episode psychosis treatment with and without a concurrent substance misuse. Early intervention efforts might be informed by our accumulating knowledge about the characteristics of patients who have both disorders.
authors.affiliation: Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP), London Health Sciences Center, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. jason.carr@lhsc.on.ca
authors.forename: Jason A R
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Ross G M
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manchanda
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*