Substance abuse has been correlated with psychotic disorders albeit more accurate details on causality remain to be assessed. Furthermore, the prevalence and prognosis of substance-induced psychotic disorders have not been clearly established.

Retrospective study performed in 124 patients assessed in an Emergency Department (ED) due to psychotic symptoms over a 6-month period. Medical records were reviewed to obtain clinical and socio-demographic variables.

(1) To analyse substance abuse patterns among ED psychotic patients; (2) to estimate the prevalence of substance-induced psychotic disorders in ED; (3) to underpin the socio-demographic and clinical variables associated.

Personal history of substance abuse: THC 31.5%, alcohol 29%, cocaine 18.5%, benzodiazepines 18.5%, opiates 6.5%, MDMA 4%, amphetamines 3.2%, hallucinogens 2.4%. Accumulated time interval of substance abuse prior to psychotic onset: 0–5 years 15% (3.9% developed psychosis during the first year of cannabis use), 5–10 years 9.2%, more than 10 years 20.8%. Urine testing for drug misuse undertaken in 80.6% of cases: positives 53%, negatives 47%. Among positive urine test results: THC 16.5%, benzodiazepines 16.5%, cocaine 6.1%, opiates 5.1%, alcohol 0.9%, amphetamines 0.8%, hallucinogens 0.8%. Substance-induced psychotic disorder (F19.15) was diagnosed among 20.4% of patients. This diagnosis was 1.5 times more prevalent among males. Forty-eight percent of patients were single, 36% married, 12% divorced, 4% widowers. Habitat: 68% urban, 34% rural. Highest prevalence group 36 – 50 year olds.

Both substance abuse and substance-induced psychotic disorders are highly prevalent in our sample. Their socio-demographic and clinical profile is similar to that found in schizophrenia. Further refinements of these findings are warranted.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.