Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T22:42:52.826Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Prevalence of substance misuse comorbidity in an Irish university training hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Ajay Dixit  and
Ann Payne
Ajay Dixit*
Affiliation:
Home-Based Crisis Team, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
Ann Payne
Affiliation:
Home-Based Crisis Team, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
*
*Correspondence E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective: Substance misuse complicates an individual's management in adult Mental Health services. This study aimed to examine both the overall prevalence of substance misuse in those admitted to the psychiatric unit and additionally those admitted with a primary diagnosis and comorbid substance misuse. The study focuses on the associated diagnoses and demographics in 100 consecutive admissions to an acute psychiatric unit in an Irish university hospital.

Method: Clinical notes were reviewed independently by two members (one being a doctor), of the multi-professional research team within four days of their admission. Substance misuse proximal to the/at the time of admission (reflecting the current usage) was noted.

Results: The combined prevalence of mental illness and substance misuse was 47% (CI 37-57%). Twenty two out of 100 (22%, CI 14-32%) were admitted primarily for the management of substance misuse and dependence (plus psychosocial reasons). Twenty-five of the patients admitted with a primary psychiatric illness (25%, CI 17-31%) were discovered to have comorbid substance misuse. At risk groups were found to be males and aged under 45 years.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the importance of screening and identification for substance misuse in psychiatric inpatient units; and consequently, the need for individual case management, additional development of dual diagnosis services and accurate patient data reporting to facilitate forward service-planning.

Keywords

PrevalenceSubstanceAlcohol misuseComorbidity psychiatry inpatient
Type
Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 4 , December 2011 , pp. 201 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References: websites visited on 29th October, 2010

1.Rachbeisel, J, Scott, J, Dixon, L. (1999). Co-Occurring Severe Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders: A Review of Recent Research. Psychaitr Serv, Nov 1999; (50):11, 1427–1434.Google Scholar
2.Alonso, J, Angermeyer, M C, Bernert, Set al. (2004). Prevalence of mental disorders in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2004: 109 (Suppl. 420): 21–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Grant, B F, Stinson, F S, Dawson, D A, et al (2004). Prevalence and co-occurrence of substance use disorders and independent mood and anxiety disorders: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Arch Gen Psychiatry 61(8):807–816.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Hunt, G. E., Bergen, J, Bashir, M. (2002). Medication compliance and comorbid substance abuse in schizophrenia: impact on community survival 4 years after a relapse. Schizophrenia Research, 54, 253–264.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Scott, H, Johnson, S, Menezes, P, et al. (1998). Substance misuse and risk of aggression and offending among the severely mentally ill. Br J Psychiatry, 172, 345–350.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Appleby, L, Shaw, J, Amos, T, et al (1999) Suicide within 12 months of contact with mental health services: national clinical survey. BMJ, 318, 1235–1239.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Hoff, R. A., Rosenheck, R. A. (1999). The cost of treating substance abuse patients with and without comorbid psychiatric disorders. Psychiatr Serv, 50, 1309–1315.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Department of Health (2002). Mental health policy implementation guide. Department of Health, London, 27767.Google Scholar
9.Banerjee, S., Clancy, C. & Crome, I. (eds) (2002) Coexisting Problems of Mental Disorder and Substance Misuse (Dual Diagnosis): An Information Manual. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists Research Unit. www.rcpsych.ac.ukGoogle Scholar
10.A vision for change: Recommendations of the expert group on mental health policy. (2006). Health Research Board, Dublin, Ireland. www.ndc.hrb.ieGoogle Scholar
11.Ley, A., Jeffery, D, Ruix, J, et al. (2002). Under-detection of comorbid drug use at acute psychiatric admission. Psychiatr Bull (2002), 26, 248–251.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Weaver, T, Madden, P, Charles, V, et al. (2003). Comorbidity of substance misuse and mental illness in community mental health and substance misuse. Br J Psychiatry, 183, 304–313.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Beaurepaire, R, Lukasiewicz, M, Beauverie, et al. (2007). Comparison of self-reports and biological measures for alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs consumption in psychiatric inpatients. European psychiatry 22;540–548. Doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2007.05.001.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Dale, A.Huntley, B.S., Cho, Dong Won, et al. (1998). Predicting Length of Stay in an Acute Psychiatric Hospital. Psychiatr Serv 49:1049–1053, August 1998.Google Scholar
15.Barnaby, B, Drummond, C; McCloud, A, et al. (2003). Substance misuse in psychiatric inpatients: comparison of a screening questionnaire survey with case notes. BMJ 2003; 327:783–784.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Sinclair, J, Latifi, AH, Latifi, AW. (2008). Comorbid substance misuse in psychiatric patients: prevalence and association with length of inpatient stay. J of Psychopharmacology, vol. 22, No. 1, 92–99.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Bonsack, CT, Didier, C, Kaufmann, Net al. (2006). Prevalence of substance use in a Swiss psychiatric hospital: Interview reports and urine screening. Addictive Behaviors 31 (2006) 1252–1258.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Mangan, D, Reynolds, S, Fanagan, S and Long, J. (2007). Health-related consequences of problem alcohol use. Overview 6. Dublin: Health Research Board. www.hrb.ieGoogle Scholar
19.European commission, Eurobarometer272, Attitudes towards Alcohol Fieldwork October – November 2006, Publication March 2007. Special Eurobarometer 272b, http://ec.europa.euGoogle Scholar
20.Hibell, B, Andersson, B, Bjarnasson, T, et al. (2004). ESPAD report: alcohol and other drug use among students in 30 European countries. Stockholm: The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs, CAN and the Council of Europe, Co-operation Group to Combat Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Drugs (Pompidou Group).Google Scholar
21.Daly, A, Walsh, D and Moran, R. (2007). Activities of Irish Psychiatric Units and Hospitals, 2006. Dublin: Health Research Board. www.hrb.ie.Google Scholar
22.Royal College of Physicians. (1987). A Great and Growing Evil: The medical consequences of Alcohol Abuse. London: Tavistock.Google Scholar
23.Royal College of Psychiatrists, U.K. (1995). The Psychological Care of Medical Patients: Recognition of Need and Service provision. London: Tavistock.Google Scholar
24.Dixit, A, Payne, A. Letter: Information on comorbid substance misuse in psychiatric inpatients. Ir J Psych Med 2008, 25(4):157–160.Google Scholar
25.Daly, A. Letter: ‘Information on comorbidity on inpatient admissions’. Ir J Psych Med 2009; 26(1):43–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar