Schizophrenia Research
Volume 81, Issue 2 , Pages 145-150, 31 January 2006

Course of substance misuse and daily tobacco use in first-episode psychosis☆

  • Darryl Wade

      Affiliations

    • ORYGEN Youth Health, Locked Bag 10, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. ORYGEN Youth Health, Locked Bag 10, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Tel.: +61 3 9342 2800; fax: +61 3 9387 3003.
    • ,
  • Susy Harrigan

      Affiliations

    • ORYGEN Youth Health, Locked Bag 10, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    • ,
  • Jane Edwards

      Affiliations

    • ORYGEN Youth Health, Locked Bag 10, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    • ,
  • Philip M. Burgess

      Affiliations

    • School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Richlands, QLD 4077, Australia
    • ,
  • Greg Whelan

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne at St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
    • ,
  • Patrick D. McGorry

      Affiliations

    • ORYGEN Youth Health, Locked Bag 10, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia

Received 16 July 2005; received in revised form 16 July 2005; accepted 10 September 2005.

Abstract 

Background

Study of the course of substance misuse and daily tobacco use in first-episode psychosis may enhance detection and treatment of these substance-related problems.

Methods

This 15-month follow-up study examined the course of substance misuse and daily tobacco use in 103 individuals treated for first-episode psychosis.

Results

Three-quarters (72.6%) of patients with lifetime substance misuse, or half (51.5%) of all patients, continued substance misuse (primarily cannabis) during the 15-month follow-up period. There was a significant reduction in the rate of any substance misuse (70.9% versus 53.4%) but not daily tobacco use (76.7% versus 75.7%) between baseline and 15-month follow-up. Patients who continued substance misuse showed a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of substance use between baseline and follow-up. Patients who continued substance misuse were more likely to be younger, male and single, less likely to have completed secondary school, and more likely to have had more severe cannabis use prior to entry to treatment compared to patients who ceased substance misuse.

Discussion

A significant proportion of young patients treated for first-episode psychosis are at risk of mental and physical health problems associated with substance misuse and/or regular tobacco use.

Keywords: First-episode, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Substance abuse, Substance dependence, Daily tobacco use

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☆ This paper was presented in part at the International Congress on Schizophrenia Research, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2003.

PII: S0920-9964(05)00454-8

doi:10.1016/j.schres.2005.09.010

Schizophrenia Research
Volume 81, Issue 2 , Pages 145-150, 31 January 2006

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