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Effect of substance misuse in early psychosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2018

Jean Addington  and
Donald Addington
Jean Addington
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Donald Addington
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Abstract

Background Studies examining the temporal relationship between substance use and the onset of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia are inconclusive.

Method Three groups of out-patients with schizophrenia were compared on onset of illness, symptoms and quality of life. Fifty-one subjects had no past or present history of substance misuse, 29 subjects had a history of past substance misuse occurring around the onset of their illness, and 33 subjects were currently misusing substances.

Results Current substance misusers had poorer quality of life scores and less negative symptoms than the non-users. Those who had a past history of substance misuse had a significantly earlier age of onset than those with no substance use.

Conclusions Attention should be paid to substance misuse present at the first episode. Treatment for schizophrenia should begin even though a diagnosis of drug-induced psychosis cannot be ruled out.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 172 , Issue S33: Verging on reality , June 1998 , pp. 134 - 136
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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